Lab Head, RNA Design and Biology

Lab Head, RNA Design and Biology

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. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease.

We believe the Greater Boston area is an important hub for the biotech and pharma industry, which is why we've invested in growing our footprint and expanding our R&D space in Cambridge, with a primary focus on additional state-of-the-art lab space. Here, we will bring together talent and expertise, building upon GSK's long history of vaccine development, to create globally leading viral capabilities and cutting-edge vaccines technologies, as we add to our robust portfolio targeting infectious diseases at every stage of life.

In the plan to create a new hub for mRNA-based vaccine discovery in Cambridge, we are building new laboratories that will be focused on the development of state-of-the-art methods that will be supporting deep product understanding, process, and product development, as well as testing of pre-clinical and clinical samples for new mRNA-based vaccines.

We are seeking an experienced and innovative leader to drive the development and optimization of RNA modalities within our research portfolio.

The Lab Head will lead a diverse team of molecular biologists, overseeing experimental design, data analysis, and the integration of cutting-edge synthetic biology, molecular biology, and AI/machine learning tools. This role demands a strategic thinker with a strong track record in RNA chemistry, sequence engineering, and biologics development, along with a passion for fostering a collaborative, high-performance research environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive the development and optimization of RNA design and chemistry to enhance expression, duration of activity, specificity, and efficacy for mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

• Apply state-of-the-art synthetic biology, molecular biology, and AI/machine learning tools to create and refine novel RNA designs that yield optimal therapeutic profiles.

• Lead and mentor a diverse team of molecular biologists, scientists, PhDs and postdoctoral fellows, ensuring professional development and excellence in research.

• Take full accountability for managing team tasks, upholding data integrity and quality standards while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

• Oversee experimental design, high-throughput screening, RNA production, expression, and data analysis protocols.

• Ensure the team utilizes cutting-edge technologies to deliver top-tier preclinical expertise for GSK vaccine projects from discovery through to lifecycle management.

• Align team objectives with broader R&D and business priorities, ensuring that research activities are structured and delivered effectively.

• Innovate laboratory practices to improve data quality, resource utilization, and overall operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with GSK's Environment, Health, and Safety standards.

• Partner with group leadership and senior members to contribute actively to scientific discussions, intellectual property filings, regulatory submissions, strategic internal/external collaborations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience.

• Five or more years of experience and knowledge of RNA structure, RNA biology, design, and engineering of nucleic acid-based gene delivery of therapeutics and vaccines

• Five or more years of experience with DNA and RNA manipulation, cell culture (primary immune cells and established cell lines) and the utilization of cell-based assays to characterize RNA-based products

• At least 2 years of experience in managing a team of RNA scientists and building collaborations within a matrix organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in developing RNA therapeutics, including applications for oncology or tolerogenic vaccines, preferably in a pharmaceutical research environment,

• Hands-on experience with high-throughput technologies for DNA Assembly, RNA synthesis and cell-based screening platforms.

• Experience with analysis of translation through advanced optical imaging techniques, NGS, polysome profiling and/or ribosome profiling methods to investigate cellular uptake, subcellular distribution, intracellular trafficking kinetics and stability of individual mRNA in living cells and tissues.

• In-depth knowledge of RNA chemistry and mRNA process development.

• Strategic agility, strong critical and logical thinking with ability to analyze problems

#Vx-Cam

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Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

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.

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