Associate Director, Translational Lead

GlaxoSmithKline; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline in Singapore seeks a senior translational science leader to connect laboratory findings to clinical development across Asia programs.

You will design biomarker strategies, oversee lab partners, and ensure regulatory and quality standards while mentoring regional teams.

This on-site role with hybrid flexibility offers exposure to cross-functional teams, global partners, and opportunities to advance your career.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences.
• Minimum 6 years in translational medicine, biomarkers, or clinical development.
• Experience integrating biomarkers into clinical trials.
• Experience working with external labs, vendors or CROs and overseeing assay performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead translational strategies and biomarker plans for regional clinical programs.
• Translate clinical protocols into translational deliverables, including sample collection and assay deployment.
• Oversee selection, validation and performance monitoring of laboratory partners and external vendors.
• Interpret biomarker and translational data and present clear, actionable insights to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ensure translational activities meet regulatory, ethical and quality standards, and contribute to regulatory submissions as needed.
• Mentor and build capability within regional teams, sharing best practice and enabling consistent delivery across studies.

Skills

Agile Thinking

Clinical Development

Clinical Trial Designs

Decision Making

Fostering Collaboration

Influencing Without Authority

Leadership

Matrix Leadership

Mentorship

People Management

Project Management

Risk Management

Strategic Thinking

Teamwork

Time Management

Education

PhD or MD in life sciences

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.

Position Summary

You will lead translational science efforts that connect laboratory findings to clinical development across programmes in Asia. You will work with clinical teams, laboratory partners and regulatory colleagues to design biomarker strategies and deliver high-quality translational data. We value clear scientific thinking, collaboration, and practical problem solving. This role offers strong growth, visible impact and the chance to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of translational strategies and biomarker plans for regional clinical programs.
• Translate clinical protocols into translational deliverables, including sample collection, assay selection and data generation plans.
• Oversee selection, validation and performance monitoring of laboratory partners and external vendors.
• Interpret biomarker and translational data and present clear, actionable insights to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ensure translational activities meet regulatory, ethical and quality standards, and contribute to regulatory submissions as needed.
• Mentor and build capability within regional teams, sharing best practice and enabling consistent delivery across studies.

Work arrangement

This role is based on-site in Singapore with hybrid working arrangements as agreed with your manager. You will work closely with colleagues across Asia and with global partners. Some travel within the region may be required.

Basic Qualification

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD or equivalent) in a relevant life science discipline.
• Minimum 6 years industry experience in translational medicine, biomarkers, or clinical development.
• Practical experience integrating biomarkers into clinical trials, including sample handling and assay deployment.
• Proven ability to interpret translational data and guide clinical decision-making.
• Experience working with external labs, vendors or CROs and overseeing assay performance.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills and ability to present to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience in respiratory, immunology, inflammation or oncology therapeutic areas.
• Hands-on familiarity with genomic, proteomic or immunophenotyping assay platforms.
• Experience with digital biomarkers, high-dimensional datasets or bioinformatics collaborations.
• Track record supporting regulatory interactions or contributing to regulatory documents.
• Experience working in matrixed, cross-functional teams across multiple countries.
• Fluency in an Asian language relevant to the region (for example Mandarin) is advantageous.

What you will bring

You communicate clearly and use evidence to guide decisions. You work well across disciplines and with external partners. You balance scientific rigour with pragmatic delivery. You coach colleagues and help build capability. You focus on outcomes that advance development and benefit patients.

Skills

• Agile Thinking
• Clinical Development
• Clinical Trial Designs
• Decision Making
• Fostering Collaboration
• Influencing Without Authority
• Leadership
• Matrix Leadership
• Mentorship
• People Management
• Project Management
• Risk Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Teamwork
• Time Management

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. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal opportunities for all applicants. We embrace an agile working culture across our roles, so if flexibility is important to you please discuss opportunities with our hiring team. If you need any adjustments to the recruitment process to help you demonstrate your strengths and capabilities, contact [e-mail]. Please note this email is for adjustment requests only; for other enquiries please use our standard contact channels. We are a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years. Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together. Find out more on our career site.