Associate Director, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

GlaxoSmithKline; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 151,500 - 252,500; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline is seeking an Associate Director of QSP to develop and apply mechanistic models guiding clinical study design and interpretation across diseases. You will work with biologists, clinicians, and pharmacometricians to inform R&D and contribute to preclinical and clinical study design.

The role requires a PhD and strong modeling background, with experience in PK/PD models, MATLAB/R/SimBiology, and QSP methodologies. This is a highly collaborative, oncology‑focused position.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative field with experience applying mathematical and statistical methods.
• Experience with modeling and simulation theory, including numerical methods and parameter estimation.
• Proficiency in ODEs and complex biological pathway modeling.
• Computational experience with MATLAB, R, Julia, SimBiology, or C/C++.
• Experience with quantitative clinical pharmacology tools such as NONMEM, R, WINNONLIN, Simcyp, SAS.

Responsibilities

• Build and apply QSP models to evaluate diseases and drug candidates.
• Collaborate with biologists, clinicians, and pharmacometricians to inform R&D programs.
• Serve as QSP modeling and simulation point‑of‑contact on project teams.
• Develop mathematical tools to analyze system‑level and drug‑level responses.
• Interpret complex data in the context of disease mechanisms and pathways.
• Explore new QSP opportunities by integrating with genetics and functional genomics.
• Provide scientific and strategic QSP expertise to oncology programs.
• Perform context‑driven verification and validation of QSP models.

Skills

Mathematical modeling

Statistical methods

Parameter estimation

ODEs

Programming languages

Education

PhD in Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Systems Biology, or related disciplines

Tools

MATLAB

R

Julia

SimBiology

C/C++

NONMEM

SAS

Simcyp

Job description

As an Associate Director of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) Expert, you will develop and apply QSP models to guide clinical study designs and mechanistic interpretation of study results in support of the development of treatments and combinations of treatments for a variety of diseases and therapeutic areas.

Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) is a discipline that uses mechanistic mathematical models and disease platforms to enhance the robustness and quality of decision‑making from exploratory research through clinical development. This role requires a highly motivated individual to develop and apply QSP models, integrate and share data and knowledge, and influence clinical study decisions in a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Build and utilize QSP models of biological, physiological, and pathophysiological processes to evaluate diseases, pathways, progression, and drug candidates or treatment modalities.
• Collaborate closely with biologists, clinicians, clinical pharmacologists, pharmacometricians, QSP and nonclinical modelers, and other colleagues to inform R&D programs and improve understanding of disease mechanisms.
• Serve as the QSP modeling & simulation point‑of‑contact on project teams to solve challenging problems in drug research and development; contribute to preclinical and clinical study design and mechanistic interpretation of data.
• Develop and/or utilize state‑of‑the‑art mathematical tools to gain insight into causal relationships between system‑level and drug‑level responses of drug‑target‑biomarker‑disease‑patient interaction.
• Analyze and interpret complex data sets in the context of disease mechanisms and pathways.
• Explore new QSP opportunities by combining QSP with other analytical approaches, building synergies through collaboration with computational groups including human genetics and functional genomics.
• Provide scientific and strategic expertise in the oncology therapeutic area to facilitate, develop, and deliver quantitative support for decision making in clinical development programs.
• Perform scientific rigor and biological suitability assessment of QSP models and methodologies through establishing a context‑driven verification & validation process (reviewing model goals, assumptions, methodology, code, outputs, uncertainty quantification).

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Systems Biology, or related disciplines with experience in the application of mathematical and statistical methods.
• Experience with the theory, principles, and statistical aspects of mathematical modeling and simulation, including numerical methods, parameter estimation/optimization, ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and their application in complex models of biological pathways and systems.
• Computational experience with one or more modeling and simulation packages or programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, R, Julia, SimBiology, C/C++).
• Experience with quantitative clinical pharmacology tools (such as NONMEM, R, WINNONLIN, Simcyp, SAS).
• Experience developing mechanistically‑sound PK‑PD models.
• Experience translating, condensing, and summarizing outcomes of modeling and simulation analyses into information understandable by project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with mathematical modeling methods, guidelines, and best practices, as well as associated technology.
• Familiarity with drug development practices, especially within the area of oncology.

Salary and Benefits

For positions based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires ranges from $151,500 to $252,500, adjusted for location, skills, and experience. The role also offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in a share‑based long‑term incentive program. Benefits include health care and other insurance benefits for employees and families, retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply, please contact the Recruitment Staff by emailing us at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.