Antibody Engineering Scientist

UK – Hertfordshire – Stevenage

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 of 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.

Biopharm Discovery is a department dedicated to the discovery of novel and effective biopharmaceutical medicines. This department comprises several complementary functions focused on the progression of a portfolio of biopharmaceuticals from initial antibody discovery, expression and characterisation to molecular engineering and biological and physiochemical profiling.

Within the Biopharm Discovery Unit, the Molecular Design and Engineering (MDE) group takes accountability for antibody engineering and developability profiling prior to candidate selection to continuously improve molecule quality and transform discovered leads into potential therapeutics. An opportunity has arisen for an antibody engineer with experience in molecular design to drive all aspects of molecule quality such as developability, safety and efficacy. He/she will have the opportunity to develop new methods and build capability in automated workflows and data handling.

You are an enthusiastic, dynamic and self-motivated lab-based scientist with technical expertise in the field of molecular biology, protein engineering and characterization of antibodies. In this role you will apply molecular biology and design tools for the engineering of antibodies such as optimization of protein stability, decreased immunogenicity and post-translational modification engineering. Although predominantly lab-based, the role also involves important aspects of verbal and written communication and requires good organisation as well as a broader scientific knowledge. Both individual and team working are required and therefore the role will suit a scientist with good interpersonal skills, abilities in data analytics, self-motivation and an open mindset.

Key responsibilities include:

• Molecular cloning, plasmid generation, antibody humanization and molecular design to improve molecule quality and bespoke engineering within the MDE group.
• Building capability around antibody protein engineering.
• Earlier characterization of developability attributes of antibodies during discovery.
• Working on matrix teams with other groups in Molecular Discovery and Development.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent experience in protein engineering, molecular biology or related discipline.
• Experienced scientist with a good understanding of molecular biology and new developments and technologies in this area.
• Track record of delivery of decision-making experimental data.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new scientific areas and work across teams.
• Ability to review and assimilate new information effectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in some or all the areas listed below:

• Proficient in antibody engineering, with practical experience working with mammalian expression vectors.
• Experience in the development and implementation of molecular design tools to improve the quality of antibodies.
• Interest in application of automation to molecular biology processes.
• Experience in applying data solutions to manual processes.

Why GSK?

GSK is a place where outstanding people do amazing things. As a science-led global healthcare company, we exist to help people do more, feel better, live longer. This special purpose – along with our goal of being one of the world’s most innovative, best performing and trusted healthcare companies – helps us attract some of the best and brightest minds in the world.

We take pride in providing access to all and continually focus on our opportunity and obligation to do more to improve inclusion and diversity: for our people inside GSK; in the way we do business; and in the communities where we operate.

We want our company to be a place where diversity of people and thought is valued everywhere and where we’re all able to be ourselves and feel a sense of belonging. An inclusive organization where we all feel valued, engaged and supported, knowing that our work makes an important contribution to our mission. Reinforced by our clear values and expectations, it is part of our DNA. Together we achieve extraordinary things for our patients and consumers, who rely on us each and every day.

As a company driven by our values of Patient focus, Transparency, Respect and Integrity, we know inclusion and diversity are essential for us to be able to succeed. We want all our colleagues to thrive at GSK bringing their unique experiences, ensuring they feel good and to keep growing their careers. As a candidate for a role, we want you to feel the same way.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are open to all talent. In the US, we also adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, colour, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class*(*US only).

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.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to discuss any adjustments to our process which might help you demonstrate your strengths and capabilities. You can either call us on 0808 234 4391, or send an email ukdiversity.recruitment@gsk.com

As you apply, we will ask you to share some personal information which is entirely voluntary. We want to have an opportunity to consider a diverse pool of qualified candidates and this information will assist us in meeting that objective and in understanding how well we are doing against our inclusion and diversity ambitions. We would really appreciate it if you could take a few moments to complete it. Rest assured, Hiring Managers do not have access to this information and we will treat your information confidentially.

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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.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit GSK’s Transparency Reporting For the Record site.