Antibody Discovery Associate Scientist

GSK; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK’s Large Molecule Research group is seeking an enthusiastic antibody discovery associate scientist. The role focuses on integrating yeast-based and phage-display platforms with in silico design tools to engineer antibodies toward therapeutic leads.

Located initially at Stevenage with a planned move to Cambridge by early 2029, you will collaborate across matrix teams, contribute to AI-driven design, and develop expertise in multiple discovery modalities within a world‑leading biopharma

Qualifications

• 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 able to adapt quickly to new scientific areas.
• Good analytical and data interpretation skills with the ability to troubleshoot.
• Ability to deploy AI tools to enhance scientific or other work.
• Good scientific writing & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Ability to multitask and work across multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Be trained and develop skills within antibody/protein discovery and engineering.
• Work in a team designing and executing experiments to identify and optimise antibodies and proteins.
• Primarily use yeast-based, phage-display selection technologies, combined with in silico design tools.
• Possibly combine other approaches such as in vivo discovery, B-cell sorting and NGS.
• Design antibodies or libraries to improve therapeutic properties.
• Represent the home team in matrix groups developing therapeutic antibodies across targets.
• Prepare and perform verbal and written scientific communications with good organisation.
• Contribute to non-lab workstreams essential to the antibody discovery department.

Skills

Biotechnology

Molecular Biology

Life Science

Data interpretation

Teamwork

Education

BSc/MSc in life sciences or equivalent

Job description

Large Molecule Research

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! GSK’s Research Technologies group is 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 physico-chemical 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 focused 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.

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 undefined.

Why you?

• 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.

Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 28th October 2026

Skills

• 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.

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We are a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years. Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together. Find out more on our career site.