Scientist - Discovery Biology, Biological Mass Spectrometry

Scientist - Discovery Biology, Biological Mass Spectrometry

GSK is seeking a highly skilled and motivated mass spectrometrist to build, optimize, and validate biochemical and cellular assays for screening and profiling in a drug discovery setting. The successful candidate will join the Biological Mass Spectrometry group within Discovery Biology, a team of scientists who apply mass spectrometry-based capabilities in support of biology, chemical biology, and biochemistry. This position will be located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, our UK R&D Hub.

The Biological MS group uses world-class expertise coupled with state-of-the-art technologies to explore target biology, discover and profile new molecules and understand the impact of these molecules in living systems. A successful applicant will have extensive hands-on experience with high throughput mass spectrometry and how it can be applied to cell biology and biochemistry. This person should have a demonstrated ability to think creatively to answer complex scientific questions and an interpersonal skillset suited to working and collaborating in an interdisciplinary matrix environment.

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.

In this role you will

• Collaborate with cell biology, biochemistry, and chemical biology teams to build, validate, and implement biochemical and cellular assays using mass spectrometry endpoints for activity screening, mechanism-of-action studies, and target engagement.
• Design and optimize RapidFire-MS and LC-MS workflows for the sensitive detection of compounds, metabolites, lipids, peptides, and proteins in complex biological matrixes, including automation of sample preparation and data processing protocols.
• Interface with drug discovery program teams to integrate relevant assay data into program critical path and decision making, including presenting findings to scientific partners and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and adopt novel methodologies and technologies to maintain competitive advantage in the field of mass spectrometry.
• Mentor and upskill assay scientists in principles and operation of mass spectrometry technology. Serve as subject matter expert to biochemistry and cell biology communities as needed.
• Maintain and troubleshoot high throughput mass spectrometry equipment, including embedding system suitability requirements into assay workflows.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• BSc or MSc in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or Biology with significant and varied experience working in a lab setting OR a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Extensive hands-on experience with high throughput sampling methods (RapidFire, Echo, MALDI) coupled with mass spectrometry detection capabilities (QQQ, ToF, orbitrap) with emphasis on workflow design, method development, and system troubleshooting.
• Extensive hands-on experience with a spectrum of liquid chromatography techniques (reverse-phase, ion-pairing, hydrophobic interaction).
• Proficient in the automation of sample preparation workflows for biological samples and data processing protocols for large scale mass spectrometry data sets.
• Working knowledge of enzymology and cell biology assay designs supporting compound profiling in lead discovery.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

Please note the following skills are not necessary, just preferred, if you do not have them, please still apply:

• Experience with targeted, quantitative proteomic workflows.
• Experience with informatics tools for the visualization and reduction of large data sets.
• Working knowledge of the drug discovery process.

Closing Date for Applications – April 8th, 2025 (COB)

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 or 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.

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