Immunologist

Job description

Details:
The GSK Experimental Medicine Unit (EMU) is an entrepreneurial unit comprising translational scientists and physicians developing novel medicines to treat autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. The EMU strategy in early clinical development is to conduct focused, experimental medicine Proof of Mechanism studies that establish a clear mechanistic relationship between drug exposure, target occupancy, and pharmacodynamic effect. We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced immunologist to join the Translational Sciences group in EMU. The focus of the group is to provide a mechanistic understanding of the effect of novel drugs in patients, to increase confidence in the biological target and therapeutic potential of early development assets. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in assay development, with an emphasis on gut or mucosal immunology considered an advantage. In collaboration with the team leader and the clinical team, this individual will be responsible for the development and implementation of cellular and molecular immunology assays designed to support translational pharmacodynamic and biomarker assessments in clinical studies. This is a novel and evolving approach and thus the successful candidate must have an enquiring attitude, and the ability to think innovatively and flexibly in order to successfully develop and deliver the biology strategy.

Responsibilities:
• Work at the interface between the science and the clinic as a translational scientist. This will mean developing strategies and delivering assays to integrate the immunological mechanism with the clinical disease, and being accountable for delivering high quality rdata to. Examples include:
• Establishing and implementing novel cell-based assays;
• Developing novel technology platforms;
• Close liaison with the clinical team to establish early alignment of the biology strategy with the clinical development plan;
• Critical analysis of data from external collaborators and the ability to provide expertise on assay conditions to external collaborators (CRO and academic) in the field to establish effective project-driven collaborations;
• Participation in the clinical study design;
• Contributing to the Study Procedure Manual, including appropriate Informed Consent language; and providing input to biomarker-related sections of clinical study protocols, clinical study reports, statistical analysis plans, etc.
• Implementing biomarker strategy, including vendor selection, costings, and overseeing assay development and validation
• Representing the Experimental Medicine Unit in project teams across the therapy area and providing biological experimental leadership in a particular area of research.
When applying for this role, please use the 'cover letter' of the on-line application 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: 2nd Feb 2017

** Competitive salary and benefits **

Thank you for your interest in this position.

*LI-GSK

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

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Desired profile

Basic qualifications:
• BSc (Hons) and PhD in immunology or biomedical sciences.
• Extensive expertise in cellular and molecular immunology techniques, including isolation and functional analysis of human blood and tissue.
• A track record of project initiation, design and delivery.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate complex scientific data to internal and external scientific partners, both orally and in writing.
• Must be a self-starter able to handle multiple projects concurrently.
• Able to function well in a multidisciplinary team and possess a good balance of creative and analytical skills.
• An ability to be productive and successful in an intense work environment.
• Confidence to network with both internal and external experts facilitating the establishment of strong collaborations
• Ability to critically review scientific ideas and provide peer review and expertise for others
• Good IT skills.

Preferred qualifications:
• Expertise in gut or mucosal immunology.
• Experience in transcriptomics analysis.
• Practical experience of whole tissue analysis e.g. tissue dissociation/cell extraction/ functional analysis studies including histology.
• Experience with operationalising the implementation of biomarker endpoints in clinical trials and processing/analysis of patient samples.
• Broad experience of the drug development process and the concepts of characterizing, validating and utilizing innovative clinical biomarkers.