Principal Scientist / Associate Director, Statistical Pharmacogenetics

GlaxoSmithKline; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biopharma company in Stevenage is seeking a Principal Scientist/Associate Director in Statistical Pharmacogenetics. The role involves conducting pharmacogenetic analyses and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support clinical trials. Ideal candidates should have a PhD and expertise in statistical genetics with proficiency in R or Python. This position offers a competitive salary, annual bonus, and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus based on performance

Healthcare and wellbeing programmes

Pension plan membership

Shares and savings programme

Qualifications

• PhD or advanced degree with impactful publications.
• Experience conducting genetic analyses of clinical data.
• Strong proficiency in at least R or Python.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pharmacogenetic analyses of clinical trials.
• Design and author statistical analysis plans.
• Collaborate in cross-functional teams for timely delivery.

Skills

Statistical genetics

Expertise in genetics analysis

Proficiency in R and Python

Written communication skills

Collaboration skills

Education

PhD or equivalent advanced degree in relevant scientific discipline

Tools

R

Python

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, motivated and innovative individual to join us as a Principal Scientist / Associate Director in Statistical Pharmacogenetics in the Translational & Clinical Genetics team, which is part of the broader GSK Human Genetics and Genomics organisation. The successful candidate will design and deliver hands‑on pharmacogenetic statistical analyses of clinical trial data, working in cross‑functional teams to impact the GSK portfolio. You will have strong expertise in genetics, experience of undertaking genetic analysis of biobanks/observational cohorts and/or clinical trial data and enjoy working in cross‑functional teams. You will have experience of a range of statistical genetic analyses including genome‑wide single variant testing, burden testing, and investigating polygenic risk scores. You should also have experience in additional omics data (e.g., proteomics) and integrating it with genetics to generate novel translational insights in biobanks/observational cohorts or clinical trial data.

The successful candidate will work directly with colleagues in Human Genetics and Genomics and closely with a range of other stakeholders in cross‑functional teams, including but not limited to clinical statisticians and biomarker project leads. You will have the opportunity to work in and gain experience of different therapeutic areas through working on specific projects in clinical development and, where appropriate, potentially help clinical teams to incorporate pharmacogenetics into new clinical studies. There may be opportunity for you to identify, establish and drive collaborations with external institutions aligned with strategic priorities. Additionally, you will be encouraged and supported in the ongoing development of your scientific expertise through your impactful work and its visibility to key stakeholders, completing development programmes, presenting your research and writing peer‑reviewed publications. Overall, this is an exciting opportunity to undertake impactful genetic analyses working in a dynamic setting to help us better understand the medicines we’re developing.

We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in‑office work.

We are open to hiring at both a G7 and G6 level.

Discover more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK on our webpage Life at GSK | GSK.

In this role you will:

• Conduct hands‑on pharmacogenetic analyses of clinical trials.
• Design and author statistical analysis plans and pharmacogenetic reports.
• Collaborate and work closely with colleagues in cross‑functional teams to oversee the development and timely delivery of pharmacogenetic analyses and reports.
• Perform a range of statistical genetic analyses including, but not limited to, power calculations, single variant tests, burden tests, and polygenic risk scores.
• Integrate genetics and other omics data in analyses to gain novel translational insights.
• Understand the strengths and limitations of different statistical genetic analyses for pharmacogenetics.
• Evaluate and implement new methodologies and technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of genetic analyses.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines in the field of pharmacogenetics.
• Assist clinical teams to incorporate pharmacogenetics into new clinical studies that are being designed and set up.

Qualifications & Skills:

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. statistical genetics, genetic epidemiology, biomedical statistics, computational sciences, bioinformatics) with a history of impactful scientific publications and/or presentations.
• Expertise in statistical genetics.
• Experience of conducting genetic analyses of clinical trial data or other human genetic datasets (e.g., biobanks, observational cohorts).
• Strong written communication skills to design and write pharmacogenetic statistical analysis plans and reports.
• Strong proficiency in at least one of R and Python, with experience of writing reproducible and scalable code that abides to FAIR principles.
• Excellent collaboration and partnership skills to work effectively within internal teams and with internal stakeholders across functions.
• Demonstrated experience of effectively communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in multidisciplinary teams to meet project timelines.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Extensive experience in genetics and preferably conducting analyses that integrate genetics with other omics data to generate novel translational insights.
• Familiarity with the common statistical approaches used to analyse clinical trials.
• Experience of project management is desirable to enable oversight of pharmacogenetic studies from registration to archiving.
• Familiarity with the stages of drug discovery and development.
• Experience working in the pharmaceutical industry.

Closing Date for Applications: 12th December 2025 EOD

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.

When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application and your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above.

The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

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

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 on [e-mail] or 0808 234 4391. The helpline is available from 8.30am to 12.00 noon Monday to Friday, during bank holidays these times and days may vary.

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If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $146,850 to $244,750. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.