Antibody Discovery Associate Scientist

GSK; Letchworth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK is seeking an antibody discovery associate scientist to work in a cutting-edge team focused on antibody and protein discovery and engineering. You will contribute to library design and molecular engineering to advance therapeutic leads, while gaining exposure to AI-driven design and NGS technologies.

The role mixes lab work with cross-functional collaboration across the department, and involves communication skills to present data and progress within matrix teams.

Qualifications

• BSc/MSc in life sciences or equivalent with lab research experience.
• Experience in biopharmaceutical discovery or antibody methods.
• Some lab-based molecular biology techniques.

Responsibilities

• Train and develop skills in antibody/protein discovery and engineering.
• Design and execute experiments to identify and optimise antibodies.
• Use yeast-based and phage-display methods with in silico design tools.
• Combine approaches like in vivo discovery, B-cell sorting, and NGS when needed.
• Prepare verbal and written scientific communications; work in matrix teams.

Skills

Life sciences

Molecular biology

AI tools

Scientific communication

Education

BSc/MSc in life sciences

Tools

NGS

Yeast display

Phage display

Job description

About the role

Are you a passionate scientist looking to be at the cutting edge of antibody discovery and engineering, working in a team instrumental in generating the antibody and protein therapy pipelines of the future? If so, this role is for you! Large Molecule Research is a department within GSK's Research Technologies group, part of a state-of-the-art and world-leading R&D Facility. The department is dedicated to the discovery of novel and effective biopharmaceutical medicines. We comprise a number of complementary functions focused on the progression of a portfolio of biopharmaceuticals from initial antibody/protein discovery, expression and characterisation to molecular engineering, biological and physiochemical profiling. We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and self‑motivated antibody discovery associate scientist. The role will be lab‑centric and will involve working in a team with access to world‑leading in‑vitro, in‑vivo and AI‑driven in silico antibody discovery platforms. Our scientists become experts in determining the best integrated approaches to design, discover and engineer antibodies and other proteins to both established and novel disease targets. Specifically, this role will be focussed on the integration of yeast‑based or phage display platforms with in silico design approaches. Through ‘library design’ and molecular engineering you will also be optimising antibodies into therapeutic grade leads towards the ultimate goal of generating first‑in‑class and best‑in‑class antibody‑based medicines. This exciting role will give you the opportunity to apply your existing knowledge, and be further trained as an antibody selections / discovery scientist and engineer in a dynamic team of experts working at the early stages of developing world‑class future medicines. You would also gain exposure to other innovative technologies in use within the team such as B‑cell sorting and screening, NGS, and be part of the AI‑driven protein design revolution. Although predominantly lab‑based, the role also involves important aspects of verbal and written communication and working within matrix teams across the department on therapeutic antibody programmes.

Location

For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029

In this role you will

• Be able to train and develop your skills within the exciting field of antibody / protein discovery and engineering.
• Be part of a team designing and executing experiments towards the identification and optimisation of antibodies and proteins.
• Primarily use yeast‑based, but also phage‑display, selection technologies, combined with in silico design tools
• Potentially combine other approaches such as in vivo antibody discovery, B‑cell sorting and NGS.
• Design individual antibodies or antibody 'libraries' tailored towards improving certain therapeutic properties.
• Represent your 'home team' within matrix groups working towards developing therapeutic antibodies to a variety of 'targets' across a broad spectrum of diseases.
• Prepare and perform verbal and written scientific communications, requiring good organisation as well as a broader scientific knowledge.
• Contribute to non‑lab based workstreams essential to the functioning of antibody discovery department

Required skills

• BSc/MSc in life sciences or equivalent.
• Experience studying or researching aspects of biopharmaceutical drug discovery or antibody discovery methods.
• Some experience of lab‑based molecular biology techniques
• Proactive, and an ability to adapt quickly to new scientific areas.
• Good analytical and data interpretation skills with the ability to troubleshoot.
• An ability to deploy the use of AI tools to enhance scientific or other work.
• Good scientific writing & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both as an individual and within a team.
• Ability to multitask and work across multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Direct hands‑on experience of antibody display and/or directed evolution and associated protein engineering techniques.
• Experience of using AI‑based tools for an antibody / protein application, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Data Quality, Following Instructions, Interpersonal Communication, Lab Maintenance, Life Science, Molecular Biology, Proper Documentation, Scientific Presentations, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive.

We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at