Principal Scientist, Automation

GSK; Stevenage; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare leader is seeking an experienced Principal Scientist for their RTech Automation team in Stevenage. The role is pivotal in integrating automation technologies within scientific workflows, emphasizing network administration and technical expertise. Candidates should have a relevant degree, experience with automation systems, and proficient in Windows, Linux, and cloud platforms. This position offers a competitive salary, bonus, and a hybrid work model, contributing to impactful healthcare advancements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Healthcare and wellbeing programmes

Pension plan

Shares and savings programme

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field with significant practical experience in IT/OT roles.
• Experience with network and cyber security principles in lab automation settings.
• Proficiency in operating systems, cloud platforms, and database management.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy lab-in-a-loop systems ensuring data flow and interoperability.
• Oversee network infrastructure for lab automation platforms.
• Act as the main technical contact between research scientists and automation engineers.

Skills

Automation system expertise

Network administration

Technical documentation

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Life Science, Computer Science, or Engineering

Tools

Windows

Linux

GCP

Azure

Oracle

Job description

Job Overview

GSK is searching for experienced and technically adept Principal Scientists to join our new RTech Automation team within Data, Automation & Predictive Sciences (DAPS) in our Research Technologies (RTech) division. RTech Automation will spearhead the integration of automation technologies into our scientific workflows to deliver biology and data at scale. A critical component of RTech's vision as a technology‑driven leader in target discovery and molecule design is the establishment of an integrated design‑generate‑analyze‑model‑predict cycle within DAPS, supported by this centralized Automation/Engineering team. The role will report to RTech Automation Platforms Lead, UK and will play a role in shaping our vision and strategy in automating drug discovery workflows, while also providing technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise to design and deploy lab‑in‑a‑loop systems and orchestrated automation platforms, ensuring seamless data flow and system interoperability.
• Oversee network infrastructure for lab automation platforms, handling design, deployment, support, installation, configuration, qualification, and operational handover.
• Act as the main technical contact between research scientists, automation engineers, and GSK Tech to gather requirements, set priorities, deliver solutions, and promote ongoing improvements.
• Implement, configure and maintain secure network connectivity for automation systems, including TCP/IP networking, OT interfaces, and ensure compliance with GSK technology and security standards.
• Administer and troubleshoot automation hardware and software on Windows and Linux, independently resolving incidents and implementing short‑term workarounds to minimise research disruption.
• Support application and database hosting, deployment and administration in on‑premises and cloud (GCP, Azure) environments, including configuration of VMs, containers, and platform services relevant to automation applications.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, runbooks, and training materials for automation platforms, while collaborating with Cyber Security and OT teams to assess and remediate security risks.
• Ensure software ecosystems are designed, deployed and maintained according to GSK's technology, security and application lifecycle standards so that research teams can reliably accelerate discovery workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Life Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Bioinformatics, and significant practical experience in IT/OT roles supporting automation, infrastructure or applications in life sciences or research environments.
• Demonstrated experience with network, TCP/IP protocols, cyber security principles, secure configuration and system administration in lab automation settings, including practical experience configuring network interfaces for devices and instrument control systems.
• Experience with integrated automation systems in a research or laboratory environment (such as HighResBio, Thermo, Biosero, etc.), scheduling software (Momentum, Cellario, GreenButtonGo), APIs, middleware, data exchange protocols and programming languages such as Python, R, C#, or Java.
• Proficiency in operating systems (Windows Server/Client, Linux), networking (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, OT segmentation), cloud platforms (GCP, Azure), and databases (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL).
• Experience with scripting (Python, PowerShell, Bash), monitoring and ticketing tools (ServiceNow), version control, CI/CD fundamentals, and data visualisation/informatics tools (Tibco Spotfire, Signals Vitro Vivo).
• Proven project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives while collaborating effectively and fostering innovation. Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication abilities, enabling swift resolution of technical challenges and clear engagement with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data visualization tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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, military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

Benefits & Working Conditions

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

About GSK

GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing. We unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade.