Associate Director Predictive Agentic Target Biology

GSK; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GSK in the United Kingdom is seeking a scientist to lead predictive biology work, combining computational and experimental approaches to prioritise targets for new medicines. The role involves collaboration with biologists, data scientists and project teams to influence decisions and deliver robust, reproducible methods with patient impact.

The position offers visible project influence, opportunities for career growth, and a hybrid work model with regular UK office collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology or a related life sciences field; or MSc with substantial relevant experience.
• Practical experience developing and applying predictive models for biological targets or cellular phenotypes.
• Strong programming skills in Python or similar languages and experience with scientific libraries for data analysis.
• Hands-on experience integrating and analysing multimodal biological datasets including RNA-seq, proteomics or CRISPR screens.
• Proven track record working in multidisciplinary teams and translating research questions into actionable workflows.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom. This role follows a hybrid working model with regular office collaboration at our UK site.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and application of predictive models and agentic workflows to evaluate target tractability and safety.
• Design hypothesis-driven experiments and computational tests to validate target biology and mechanism of action.
• Integrate multimodal biological data such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and functional screens.
• Translate biological questions into clear computational and experimental plans and deliver documented pipelines.
• Provide timely, evidence-based recommendations to project teams for target prioritisation and go/no-go decisions.
• Mentor colleagues and promote best practices in model validation, reproducibility and transparent reporting.

Skills

AI & ML

Computational Sciences

Programming Python

Data Analysis

Data Modeling

Data Management

Data Science

Predictive Modeling

Statistics

Education

PhD in biology or related field

MSc with substantial relevant experience

Tools

Kubernetes

AWS

Azure

Job description

Business Introduction

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Find out more:

Our approach to R&D

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.

Position Summary

You will lead predictive and agentic target biology work to improve how we find and prioritise targets for new medicines. You will combine computational and experimental approaches to predict target biology, safety, and translational potential. You will work closely with biologists, data scientists, engineers and project teams to influence project decisions. We value clear communicators who build robust, reproducible methods and focus on practical impact for patients. This role offers visible project influence, career growth, and the chance to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Why You?

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Lead development and application of predictive models and agentic workflows to evaluate target tractability and safety.
• Design hypothesis-driven experiments and computational tests to validate target biology and mechanism of action.
• Integrate multimodal biological data such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and functional screens.
• Translate biological questions into clear computational and experimental plans and deliver documented pipelines.
• Provide timely, evidence-based recommendations to project teams for target prioritisation and go/no-go decisions.
• Mentor colleagues and promote best practices in model validation, reproducibility and transparent reporting.

Basic Qualification

• PhD in biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology or a related life sciences field; or MSc with substantial relevant experience.
• Practical experience developing and applying predictive models for biological targets or cellular phenotypes.
• Strong programming skills in Python or similar languages and experience with scientific libraries for data analysis.
• Hands-on experience integrating and analysing multimodal biological datasets including RNA-seq, proteomics or CRISPR screens.
• Proven track record working in multidisciplinary teams and translating research questions into actionable workflows.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom. This role follows a hybrid working model with regular office collaboration at our UK site.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience with agentic systems or orchestration frameworks that automate iterative design-test-analyse cycles.
• Familiarity with causal inference, mechanistic models, or systems biology methods for predicting biology.
• Experience deploying models and workflows to cloud or production environments such as Kubernetes, AWS or Azure.
• Knowledge of target safety assessment, translational biomarkers, or early pharmacology relevant to discovery.
• Record of scientific communication through publications, conference presentations or internal knowledge sharing.
• Experience mentoring or leading small scientific teams and influencing cross-functional decisions.

Working pattern

This role is hybrid. You will combine remote work with regular in-office time in the United Kingdom to collaborate with colleagues and project teams.

Skills

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computational Sciences, Computer Programming, Data Analysis, Data Management, Data Modeling, Data Science, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Models

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.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at [e-mail] where you can also request a call.

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the Link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive.

Should you be 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 https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/