Director – Oncology Early Translational Biomarkers

Responsibilities

• Act as the translational medicine lead for assigned early Oncology programs (preclinical to Phase
  1): define and own biomarker and translational strategies, plans and decision‑enabling datasets.
• Identify cutting edge science and technological advances and incorporate them into biomarker strategies to guide indication selection, patient enrichment, and combination strategies.
• Develop program‑specific translational plans including hypothesis‑driven biomarker selection, assay strategy (fit‑for‑purpose), sample collection/handling, and statistical/analysis plans.
• Provide scientific input into target validation and discovery phases, pharmacology, PK/PD, target engagement, mechanism‑of‑action and patient selection strategies across modalities.
• Lead assay selection, qualification/validation strategy and oversight (internal and external CROs/diagnostic partners); ensure data quality and regulatory/compliance readiness.
• Integrate preclinical model data with clinical development plans, informing dose selection, biomarker endpoints and translational go/no‑go criteria.
• Serve as the primary cross‑functional interface for translational questions—represent translational perspectives in program governance, clinical project teams, and portfolio reviews.
• Translate complex scientific evidence into clear risk/benefit and go‑to‑clinic recommendations for portfolio decision‑making.
• Prepare and present translational updates, sections for clinical protocols, investigator brochures, regulatory briefing documents and scientific reports.
• Mentor and support the development of junior scientists; contribute to team capability building and knowledge sharing.
• Manage external scientific partnerships (academic collaborators, CROs, diagnostics vendors) to deliver assays, sample logistics and high‑quality data.
• Contribute to resource planning, budgets and timelines for translational activities for assigned programs.

• PhD and/or MD with substantive experience in Oncology / immune‑Oncology drug development.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in translational medicine, biomarker science, clinical development and particularly the application of biomarkers in Oncology clinical trials within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Expertise in cancer biology across key disease areas of focus (Lung: NSCLC/SCLC, GI: CRC, Haem: MM, Gynaecological cancers) and the therapeutic landscape including approved and investigational agents.
• Demonstrated expertise across multiple therapeutic modalities relevant to the GSK portfolio: large molecules, small molecules and immune cell engagers.
• Proven track record of designing and executing translational biomarker strategies in early‑and late‑phase clinical trials, including assay development, validation, and clinical deployment.
• Hands‑on experience of implementation of a range of biomarker platforms including flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics (NGS, FISH, PCR), and/or IHC/IF for Oncology clinical trials.
• Experience in driving, managing, executing, and delivering results for complex, multi‑functional projects in a matrixed pharmaceutical environment.