Cell Process Development Investigator, Cell & Gene Therapy Platform

Job description

Details:

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is a world leading research-based pharmaceutical company that combines both individual talent and technical resources to create a platform for the delivery for strong growth in a rapidly changing healthcare market. Our mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

GSK's Cell & Gene Therapy Platform CMC team is being expanded to support an increasing portfolio of cell and gene therapies. The team is responsible for delivering the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) aspects of the projects from early phase to launch and the development of innovative technologies to enable step-change improvements to cell & gene therapy manufacture.

We have three ex vivo gene therapy products in late stage development. More recently, GSK has secured a significant collaboration in the T cell immunotherapy field with Adaptimmune and other licensing/partnership opportunities are being pursued. The progression of our own portfolio together with the maturation of emerging gene therapy technologies creates an imperative for GSK to now increase our investment in this space and establish an end to end leading platform. This will facilitate delivery of the portfolio in Rare Diseases and Oncology as well as ensuring that GSK is able to capture the potential of the emerging technologies in other therapeutic areas.

A highly motivated and independent individual is sought to work within this team. Your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Work collaboratively with Cell & Gene Therapy Platform CMC cell process research and analytical development scientists to establish the cell process for cell and gene therapies through both well designed experiments performed in-house and through managing experiments to be performed by Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs).
• Responsible for leading technology transfer strategy, tracking and delivery of activities to project timelines
• Generate and review all documentation supporting technology transfer.
• Develop and validate innovative technologies and approaches to make step-change improvements in process efficiency
• Support development of a portfolio of ex vivo gene therapies from early to late stage by providing expert input to project teams, directing development work, reviewing data, supporting regulatory interactions.
• Responsible for successful interactions with third parties (contractors, suppliers, academic and industry groups)

The successful candidate will report to the Lead Cell Process Development Scientist within the Cell & Gene Therapy Platform CMC.

When applying for this role, please use the 'cover letter' of the on-line application and/or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

If requiring an adjustment for a disability, once selected for interview you may contact ************@*******.**

Closing date for applications is 7th of October 2016

*LI-GSK

Contact information:

You may apply for this position online by selecting the Apply now button.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Desired profile

Basic qualifications:

• PhD in biology, cell biology, immunology or related scientific discipline
• Postdoctoral experience (academic or industry based
• Significant experience in tissue culture techniques (primary and mammalian cell lines)
• Strong organisational and excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated excellence in technical writing skills
• Demonstrable ability to work in multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural teams

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience of technology transfer for late stage manufacturing processes is highly desirable
• Practical experience of isolating and culturing primary T cells or haematopoietic stem cells
• Experience of bioreactor processes or automated cell processing techniques
• Experience of transduction technologies including viral and non viral approaches including application of analytical techniques such as flow cytometry
• Experience working in cell and gene therapy is desirable.