Staff AI/ML Engineer - Controllable Biology

GlaxoSmithKline; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline is seeking a Staff AI/ML Engineer in Controllable Biology to drive AI/ML methods on biological networks and sequencing data. You will define strategy, guide a multidisciplinary team, and balance scientific aims with safety and reliability.

The role is hybrid, requiring on-site work 2 days per week, with a focus on translating complex biological questions into scalable computational solutions and delivering measurable quarterly results.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in computer science, mathematics or natural sciences.
• 7+ years' experience with deep learning, model architectures and scalable training/deployment.
• 7+ years' software development with CI/CD, testing, docs and Agile delivery.
• 5+ years' experience as technical lead or engineering manager with direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Translate complex biological questions into tractable mathematical problems.
• Lead quarterly, measurable results through engineering sprints.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary team and foster an inclusive culture.
• Balance research and engineering velocity with frequent demos.
• Define technical strategy and roadmaps for AI/ML products.
• Ensure models are explainable, safe and reliable.

Skills

Deep Learning

Python

PyTorch

Machine Learning

Leadership

Model Evaluation

Model Validation

Biological data

Agile delivery

Education

Master's degree

PhD (preferred)

Tools

CI/CD

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

Job Title:

Staff AI/ML Engineer - Controllable Biology At GSK, we see a world in which advanced applications of machine learning and AI will allow us to develop novel therapies for existing diseases and respond quickly to emerging or changing diseases with personalized drugs, driving better outcomes at reduced cost and with fewer side effects. It is an ambitious vision that will require the development of products and solutions at the cutting edge of machine learning and AI. If that excites you, we'd love to chat.

Job Purpose:

The AI/ML Controllable Biology Team applies machine learning and AI methods to biological networks and sequence data from large-scale human genetic, functional genomic, and single-cell experiments. Models that control biological networks have the potential to be transformative in drug discovery, empowering us to find new life-saving medicines.

Key Responsibilities:

• Convert complex biological questions into tractable mathematical problems that can be solved by modern computational methods.
• Be adept at decomposing large problems into quarterly, measurable results and consistently working towards delivering these through engineering sprints.
• Be a technical mentor in a multidisciplinary engineering team, including delegating tasks to junior colleagues and guiding them through delivery, while fostering an inclusive, supportive team culture.
• Be comfortable demoing early and often, balancing research and engineering velocity.
• Be a standard-bearer for machine learning, software engineering, code review and agentic development best practices within the organisation.
• Define technical strategy and roadmaps for AI/ML products, balancing scientific needs, safety, and operational reliability.
• Operate in a transparent way, communicating clearly and accurately to leadership and the broader organisation.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure models are explainable, safe, and relevant.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field (e.g. computer science, mathematics or natural sciences).
• 7+ years' experience with standard deep learning algorithms, model architectures, machine learning best practices, scalable training and deployment.
• 7+ years' experience in software development, including code reviews, version control systems, CI/CD pipelines, software testing, technical documentation and Agile delivery methodologies.
• 5+ years' experience in a technical lead or engineering manager role with direct reports, mentoring software engineers or machine learning practitioners.
• 7+ years' experience with Python and PyTorch, or an equivalent machine learning framework.
• Experience working with biological sequence and network data, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, gene regulatory networks or related biological datasets.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders across multiple teams, functions and geographic regions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in a quantitative or computational field.
• Background in modelling disease biology, systems biology, molecular biology and biochemistry.
• Track record of delivering high-quality, research-level machine learning and robust software solutions.
• Peer-reviewed publications in major AI conferences.

Work Arrangements:

The role is hybrid, requiring on-site work 2 days per week. Remote or fully home-working arrangements are not available for this role.

Skills:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Artificial Intelligence Ethics
• Classification Models
• Deep Learning
• Intelligent Automation (IA)
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Model Evaluation
• Model Validation
• Predictive Modeling
• Probabilistic Modeling
• Python (Programming Language)
• Test Documentation

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 $136,125 to $226,875. If you are based in another US location, the annual base salary range is $123,750 to $206,250. 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. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Benefits:

• 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.

Germany Salary Range / Gehaltsbandbreiten Deutschland: EUR 74,700 to EUR 124,500 The annual gross base salary range for new hires in this position is listed above for each applicable location. These ranges take into account a number of factors including the candidate's skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position may offer an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. More detailed information on the total benefits package will be supplied during the recruitment process. This role is available for applicants from multiple locations, and therefore salary ranges for certain locations are also shown. Salary ranges for other locations are shown because some markets have pay transparency laws that require salary information on job postings, and those locations are potential job sites for this role. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific location or country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.

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