Staff AI/ML Engineer - Controllable Biology

GlaxoSmithKline; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity incentives

Health & insurance

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline is seeking a Staff AI/ML Engineer – Controllable Biology to lead end-to-end AI/ML efforts on biological networks and large-scale omics data. You will convert complex biological questions into tractable ML problems and ship production-grade models in an agile environment.

You will mentor engineers, define roadmaps for AI/ML products, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure models are explainable, safe, and impactful across diverse disease biology projects.

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 and Agile delivery methodologies.
• 5+ years’ experience in a technical leader/engineering manager role with direct reports and mentoring.
• 7+ years’ experience with Python and PyTorch or equivalent ML framework.
• Experience with biological sequence and network data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Experience collaborating across multiple teams, functions and geographies.

Responsibilities

• Translate complex biological questions into tractable mathematical problems solvable by modern computational methods.
• Decompose large problems into quarterly, measurable results and deliver through engineering sprints.
• Mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team and foster an inclusive culture.
• Demo progress frequently, balancing research and engineering velocity.
• Uphold ML and software engineering best practices, including code reviews and robust shipping of solutions.
• Define technical strategy and roadmaps for AI/ML products balancing scientific needs and reliability.
• Communicate clearly with leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Deep learning

Python

PyTorch

Machine learning

Software development

Agile delivery

Mentoring

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Code reviews

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

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.

We are looking for a Staff AI/ML Engineer – Controllable Biology. Competitive candidates will have a track record of developing SOTA deep learning models to solve challenging real-world scientific problems. You should be an outstanding scientist with in-depth knowledge of modern machine learning. You can convert vaguely described biological and drug discovery challenges into well-defined machine learning problems. You can independently execute and deliver full AI/ML-driven solutions end to end: sourcing training data, designing and implementing SOTA machine learning models, defining metrics and benchmarks, and shipping stable, tested, performant code and services in an agile environment.

The AI/ML team is built on the principles of ownership, accountability, continuous development, and collaboration. We hire for the long term, and we’re motivated to make this a great place to work. Our leaders will be committed to your career and development from day one.

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 organization.
• 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 organization.
• 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 leador 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.

#GSK-LI

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. 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. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process. 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. Please note salaries vary by country based on the candidate's skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. Offers are typically made within the advertised range based on the candidate's skills, experience and qualifications, with the upper end generally reserved for highly experienced candidates or other exceptional circumstances aligned with these criteria.

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 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 (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.