Scientific Director, ETCT Innovation

The Extracellular Targeted Cancer Therapeutics (ETCT) Biology Unit within the Oncology Research Unit is seeking a Scientific Director for Innovation to lead outwardly facing technology and business development initiatives designed to accelerate the build of a targeted biologics portfolio in Oncology. The incumbent will lead cross-functional initiatives to develop the next generation of ADC and interface with key internal/external business partners to accelerate asset development. Additionally, this position will involve consultation with the business development team to assist the identification and assessment of cutting-edge technologies and potential research collaborations. The successful applicant will have prior experience leading matrix teams with oversight of critical path chemistry and biology in the preclinical development of ADC for cancer therapy.

Please note: This position requires an on-site office -based presence 2 to 3 days a week in the UK (London or Stevenage); Switzerland (Zug); US (Upper Providence, PA. Waltham. MA or Boston. MA); or Poland (Warsaw).

Key Responsibilities:

As a Scientific Director for Innovation in ETCT, your responsibilities will be to:

·         Guide the maturation and de-risking of novel therapeutic concepts, specifically antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), through rigorous mechanistic testing in partnership with internal and external business partners.  

·         Talent scout new technology investments and help build proposals for GSK’s senior leadership for investment.

·         Co-lead a team which can collaborate with internal platform groups to deliver success on externally partnered programs and/or technologies.

·         Identify new areas for investment at the preclinical research phase, as well as assist scientific due diligence review of in-licensing clinical opportunities with the business development organization.

·         Prioritize innovation projects and allocate resources effectively to drive successful outcomes.

·         Collaborate with business development teams to establish strategic partnerships and alliances with external organizations, including startups, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.

Why you?

Required Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• PhD in Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, Cellular Biology, or other life science fields with 5+ years post-doctoral training.
• Direct experience developing ADC, novel chemistry and novel linker-payloads.
• Experience in progressing ADC from concept to candidate selection and supporting critical path mechanistic biology and/or in vivo translational studies.
• Experience leading cross-functional drug discovery project teams overseeing critical path chemistry and biology to develop novel therapeutic platforms for biologics targets.
• Experience developing and implementing scientific strategies in Oncology.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• 10+ years pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry research and leadership experience in preclinical oncology biologics drug discovery.
• Experience establishing scientific relationships in Oncology.
• Experience working with business development to perform due diligence on oncology assets.
• Strong peer-reviewed publication, public speaking / presentation and/or inventorship record.
• The ability to work independently with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

*LI-GSK

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