In Vivo Respiratory Principal Scientist

As a lab-based In Vivo Respiratory Principal Scientist in the Complex Models group within the Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation Biology Unit (RIIBU), you will contribute to the in vivo biology strategy and will lead the design, execution, and reporting of preclinical integrative (in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo) experiments to support therapeutic area teams and drug discovery projects from target validation through to clinical phases  You will have the opportunity to work on targets, in vivo models, and integrative, translational biology relevant to respiratory diseases such as COPD and IPF/ILD .

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the design and lab/vivarium-based execution of in vivo strategies for the respiratory disease area.

• Contribute to the delivery of Respiratory preclinical efficacy and mechanistic in vivo studies using respiratory models to enable PK/PD and translational biomarker data generation.

• Lead discussions to ascertain a robust understanding of scientific rationale, key objectives, endpoints and Go/No-Go decisions for in vivo models and studies, setting clear goals and timelines.

• Use understanding of PK/PD principles relating to respiratory diseases to drive innovation and independently design, execute, analyze, and present in vivo studies as the In Vivo Leader (IVL) representative on portfolio projects with input from Biology Leader (BL), Project Leader (PL), and Complex Models Leadership Team.

• Understand and independently apply robust study design (RSD) principles, gain input from Subject Matter Experts and matrix partners (e.g. LASG, Statistics, PK modelling, Histopathology, Dispensary, Biopharm and Chemistry) prior to seeking endorsement/recommendations for animal studies at Independent Scientific Review (ISR) forum and Pre-Study Briefings (PSB).

• Anticipate any potential challenges with experiments and independently resolve technical issues in experimental planning, setup and execution with minimal guidance.

• Lab/vivarium-based execution to enable sample/tissue acquisition, processing, and analysis to enable integration of PK/PD and translational biomarker data from in vivo studies and where necessary utilize advanced ex vivo assay techniques such as Flow cytometry, ELISA’s, MSD, Luminex and qPCR.

• Key contact for animal studies, including provision of out of hours procedures as required.

• Responsible for maintaining technical expertise/competency and confidence in animal handling, dosing, blood and tissue collection, and measurements of biological/physiological function (e.g. lung function, Hemodynamics).

• Be familiar with Federal Laws surrounding animal use in research and the local governance process (IACUC, AUP).

• Be familiar with severity limits/constraints related to adverse effects and respond as required under IACUC, AUP and GSK Policy on Care, Welfare and Treatment of Animals.

• Take responsibility for assessing animal health and welfare, document findings, and act on them or seek expert advice when necessary.

• Work effectively with internal matrix partners (e.g. BL, PL, RTech).

• Lead animal studies placed externally (e.g. CRO, academic groups) including Study Monitoring responsibilities.

• Maintain accurate, up to date and detailed electronic laboratory records in alignment with data integrity standards and ensure compliance with all relevant written standards, SOPs, Risk Assessments and safety guidelines.

• Foster an enterprise culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning.

• Keep up to date with the relevant literature and apply to in vivo strategies and studies.

Basic Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• BSc in a biological science and 5+ years respiratory in vivo experience or Masters in a Biological Science with 4+ years respiratory in vivo experience or PhD in a biological science and 2+ years respiratory in vivo experience either in industry or an academic environment.

• Current experience and knowledge of respiratory disease mechanisms involved in COPD and IPF/ILD and use of in vivo systems to interrogate pathophysiological mechanisms in these diseases.

• Current hands-on experience of animal model systems in the respiratory disease area including lung function measurement (e.g. Whole-Body Plethysmography, Dynamic Compliance and resistance, FEV and FVC).

• Current hands-on lab/vivarium-based experience in using in vivo models in the respiratory disease area including relevant animal handling, dosing (intra-nasal and intra-tracheal), tissue necropsy (BAL