Head of Oligo Platform Design and Informatics

Key Skills

Aartificial intelligence, Algorithms, AWS, C++, Data Analytics, Design, Effective communication skills, JavaScript, Machine learning techniques, Management, PHP Programming, Planning and organization, Python Programming, Teamwork

Job Description

If you want to be part of a collaborative and focused team with a mission to build GSK’s new therapeutic oligo platform, please apply! We’re seeking an experienced Head of Oligo Design and Informatics to join the RNA therapeutic team within the Medicines Design organization. As the successful candidate, you will manage GSK’s RNA therapeutic design strategy and its implementation on the discovery portfolio. The position will be responsible for building and leading the quantitative biology and data analytics for the therapeutics oligo team. You will be responsible for establishing the strategy, infrastructure, data capture, internal expertise and analytics necessary to realize GSK’s future RNA therapeutic ambitions. This role requires in-depth knowledge of RNA therapeutic drug design and development methods from Target Identification to Candidate Selection.

The responsibilities for this role are the following:

• Deliver state of art methodologies and capabilities to the design and optimization of therapeutics oligonucleotides by applying bio/cheminformatics techniques, the latest machine learning and AI algorithms.
• Play a critical role in the development of an RNA informatics and computational platform from discovery to development - conceptualize approaches, identify capability gaps, and set priorities to accelerate GSK’s oligo research and development.
• Design a data environment for the therapeutic oligo platform from mechanism of action, sequence optimization through to synthesis and analytics
• Contribute to on-going portfolio projects within RNA therapeutics support teams through target identification through to candidate selection.
• Represent RNA therapeutics as a technical/scientific lead on cross-functional research teams that include discovery, development and research IT organizations.
• Drive the evaluation of external and internal capabilities and facilitate collaborations with external partners.

Why You?

Basic Qualifications:

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

• A PhD or masters in computer and information sciences, cheminformatics, computational chemistry or related field with at least five years of experience in RNA drug discovery within or intersecting with the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Demonstrated track record of innovation in enveloping/delivering innovative methodologies, tools and applications in bio/cheminformatics and machine-learning.
• Proven experience in processing, organizing, analyzing and visualizing complex data and information from disparate sources and ability to extract insight from data.
• Track record of successful leadership, including training, developing, and managing talent.
• Ability to build, motivate and inspire high performing teams, as well as effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated effective organizational skills, including ability to set, prioritize and achieve research goals.
• Current presence or willing to relocate to Boston vicinity

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Ability to matrix with a team of multi-discipline experts including biology, chemistry, safety assessment, computational sciences, clinical scientists, translational scientists, and others.
• Experience working with Cloud (AWS) and High-Performance Computing.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: cheminformatics, computational chemistry and machine-learning.
• Extensive experience in solving scientific problems using programming languages (c++/python/php/javascript/…).
• First-hand experience of all phases of early drug discovery from target validation to candidate selection. Understands the entirety of R&D across discovery and development.
• Demonstrated effective communication and negotiation skills for a wide variety of audiences, including laboratory analysts and senior management.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years.

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a workplace where everyone can feel a sense of belonging and thrive as set out in our Equal and Inclusive Treatment of Employees policy. We’re committed to being more proactive at all levels so that our workforce reflects the communities we work and hire in, and our GSK leadership reflects our GSK workforce.