Antibody Discovery Scientist

GSK; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK in the UK is seeking an antibody discovery scientist to join Large Molecule Research at the Stevenage site, with relocation to Cambridge planned by early 2029. The role is lab‑centric and focuses on antibody and protein discovery, engineering, and integration with AI‑driven design platforms.

You will lead design and experiments using yeast‑based or phage display, mentor junior scientists, and work across matrix teams on therapeutic antibody programmes.

Qualifications

• Hands-on antibody discovery and protein engineering experience.
• Laboratory experience in molecular biology and related techniques.
• Awareness of AI/MLDriven protein design trends.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists and leading projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of experiments for antibody/protein identification.
• Utilize yeast-based and phage display with in silico design tools.
• Collaborate across matrix teams on therapeutic antibody programmes.
• When needed, participate in B-cell sorting and NGS activities.
• Prepare verbal and written scientific communications with good organization.

Skills

Antibody discovery

Directed evolution

Molecular biology

AI/ML awareness

Mentoring

Scientific leadership

Education

BSc / MSc in life sciences

PhD in protein science

Tools

AI tools (Copilot/Claude)

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 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.

This exciting role will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and hone your skills 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of 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.

Qualifications & Skills

• BSc/MSc in life sciences or equivalent.
• Direct hands‑on experience of methods of antibody discovery or protein engineering: e.g. antibody display, directed evolution or other protein engineering techniques.
• Experience in the lab with molecular biology and associated techniques.
• An awareness of the emerging field of AI/ML‑driven protein design.
• Experience with, or knowledge of, multispecifics or other complex formats.
• A level of experience which can be applied to guiding and mentoring more junior scientists.
• Expertise within the field to provide key recommendations to scientific program teams.
• Experience of aspects of scientific program leadership.
• Experience using data systems to navigate complex data sets, perform analyses and interpret as appropriate.
• Good scientific writing & verbal communication skills.
• Ability to partner with other scientists for lab and non‑lab work, and working across multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• PhD with relevance to the methods and science of protein therapeutics or protein engineering.
• Experience of yeast‑display.
• Experience applying AI/ML methods toward protein therapeutics or engineering.
• Experience of using AI tools (e.g. Copilot, Claude) for enhanced scientific analysis and efficiency gains.

Closing Date for Applications

Wednesday 28th October 2026

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. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide.