Associate Director, US Sample Management & Automation

Site Name: USA - Massachusetts - Cambridge

Posted Date:
May 27 2026

Glaxo Smith Kline  (GSK) is seeking an experienced Associate Director in Sample Management & Automation to join the Data Automation & Predictive Sciences (DAPS) organization within Research & Development Technologies (R&DTech). This team is responsible for integrating automation technologies into scientific workflows to deliver biology and data at scale.

A critical component of R&DTech's vision is the establishment of an integrated design-generate-analyze-model-predict cycle within DAPS, supported by a centralized Automation Engineering team. This team will deploy laboratory automation, sample management, and robotics across global sites, serving as a center of expertise to align strategies and maximize the value of technology investments.

Key Responsibilities include:

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

* Build strong partnerships and collaborate with leaders across the organization to deploy laboratory automation and sample management solutions aligned to key business priorities.

* Operate effectively within global, matrixed teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment and promoting an automation mindset.

* Collaborate with research leaders, scientists, IT, and engineering teams to define requirements and develop automation and sample management solutions in partnership with integration vendors.

* Contribute to the design and implementation of automation and sample management platforms supporting research objectives at the Cambridge site.

* Oversee the application of sample management and automation systems (hardware and software) supporting oligonucleotide platforms, ensuring data flow and system interoperability.

* Ensure automation platforms meet reliability, scalability, security, and safety requirements in accordance with industry standards and local regulations.

* Develop and maintain system documentation.

* Monitor emerging technologies and industry trends and contribute to GSK's automation strategy.

* Build and maintain partnerships with external vendors and collaborators to evaluate and implement new automation technologies.

* Represent sample management and automation on cross‑disciplinary project teams.

* Role model compliance with GSK lifesaving rules, code of conduct, data integrity standards, and relevant policies.

Why You?

Basic Qualifications

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

* Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or a related field.

* 10+ years of experience in automation and sample management, including experience working in a matrixed environment.

* Experience using automation and sample management technologies in a laboratory environment, including integrated platforms, standalone devices, and data management systems.

* Experience managing multiple projects and priorities concurrently.

* Experience identifying and resolving technical or operational issues.

* Experience communicating technical information to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

* Knowledge of applicable safety requirements and industry standards related to automation in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research environments.

* Experience supporting Liquid handling robotics (Tecan preferable, Lynx, Acoustic Technologies, etc.) to enable both sample management and Oligos supply for in vitro and in vivo screening assays.

* Integrated automation platform experience, preferably with Cenevo Mosaic and High Res Cellario.

* Experience developing and supporting sample management workflows to enable timely delivery of samples to biological assays for internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

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

* Advanced Degree

* Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELNs)

* Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, R, C#, or Java, and experience with scripting for automation.

* Experience with cloud computing platforms and services (e.g., AWS,…