Director Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

GSK; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company in Stevenage seeks a Director-level Quantitative Systems Pharmacologist Lead. This role focuses on advancing drug development through mechanistic modeling, simulations, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have a PhD, MD, or PharmD and substantial experience in pharmaceutical research. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, along with a proactive approach to learning about drug-disease systems. The position offers an opportunity to significantly impact patient access to novel therapies.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or PharmD with experience in mechanistic modelling and simulation.
• Substantial experience in mathematical modelling applied to pharmaceutical R&D.
• Demonstrated collaboration in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Build and guide mathematical model development for drug action analysis.
• Collaborate with various scientific experts to inform R&D programs.
• Create a collaboration framework with internal and external experts.

Skills

Mechanistic modelling and simulation

Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams

Statistical techniques

Strong communication skills

Agility in learning drug-disease systems

Education

PhD, MD, or PharmD

Tools

Scientific machine learning

Job description

Company Overview

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 patient care. GSK is committed to an ambitious culture focused on patients, accountability, and doing the right thing to accelerate significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success.

Job Purpose

The Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Medicine (CPQM) in the Respiratory Immunology and Inflammation Research Unit (R&D GSK) is recruiting a Director‑level Quantitative Systems Pharmacologist Lead. The role will join the newly established CPQM to become a Center of Excellence in Model‑Informed Drug Development (MIDD). It uniquely integrates clinical pharmacology, digital medicine, translational imaging, and mechanistic & systems modeling to accelerate patient access to novel therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and guide mathematical model development to understand disease progression and drug action, and conduct simulations to assess trial design performance.
• Apply mechanistic models of biological, physiological, and pathophysiological processes to evaluate disease pathways and progression, as well as drug candidates or treatment modalities.
• Develop and/or utilize state‑of‑the‑art mathematical tools, including inverse‑problem modelling, simulation, scientific machine learning, and statistical techniques to gain insight into causal relationships between system‑level and drug‑level responses of drug–target–biomarker–disease–patient interactions.
• Define and execute a coordinated scientific and technical strategy (18–24 month planning horizon) with demonstrated ability to coordinate outputs from several expertise areas.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, clinicians, clinical pharmacologists, pharmacometricians, statisticians, AI/ML, imaging, biomarker scientists, and other partners to inform research and development programs and improve understanding of disease mechanisms.
• Implement best practices, trends, and lessons learned from internal and external sources to advance clinical pharmacology modelling and simulation contributions to the R&D pipeline.
• Create a collaboration framework with internal and external experts in the development and application of these models.
• Learn and apply emerging modelling and simulation methodologies to enhance clinical program efficiency and investment decision quality; collaborate with external, field‑leading teams for methodology application.
• Interact efficiently and effectively with line and middle management staff and external contacts on a functional, strategic, and tactical level.
• Represent QSP–CPQM on internal advisory boards, company‑wide initiatives, and leadership teams.
• Promote transparency and communicate R&D achievements through publications in appropriate scientific journals.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD, MD, or PharmD with experience in mechanistic modelling and simulation and systems biology applied to pharmaceutical research and development.
• Substantial experience in mechanistic mathematical modelling, inverse‑problem modelling, simulation, and/or scientific machine learning to address pre‑clinical and/or clinical questions in drug development.
• Strong drive and agility to learn quickly and build knowledge on a drug–disease system, including mechanism endpoints, disease progression, prevention, treatment, and trial design.
• Demonstrated aptitude for productive collaboration in a multidisciplinary team using effective communication and taking personal accountability for timely delivery of results.
• Clear evidence of sound judgment in complex situations and ability to adapt to changing business needs by prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders in a cross‑functional environment.
• Track record of implementing Model‑Informed Drug Discovery and Development (MIDD) approaches to accelerate patient access to novel therapies and expand therapeutic indications of marketed drugs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in respiratory, hepatology, and/or infectious disease research.

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.