Scientific Director, Infectious Disease

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GSK is a science-led global healthcare company that unites science, technology and talent to deliver innovative medicines, vaccines and specialty care. Within GSK, the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Research Unit (VIDRU) brings together immunology, pathogen biology and translational science, while Infectious Disease Research (IDR) advances innovative medicines to prevent, treat and cure priority infectious diseases.

The Scientific Director will lead strategic and technical work across infectious disease drug discovery programmes, with a particular focus on innovative large-molecule therapies and monoclonal antibody-based modalities (monoclonal antibodies, bi-specifics, antibody-drug conjugates, new antibody formats such as scFv and delivery technologies). The role requires strong experience spanning discovery through early clinical development, translating scientific insight into programme strategy and driving assets towards robust investment, go/no-go decisions.

Operating with significant independence and visibility, the Scientific Director will set scientific and project direction, lead multidisciplinary matrix teams and represent the work with senior leaders, regulators, auditors, external partners and key opinion leaders. The role is accountable for strategy, resources and high-quality evidence across multiple assets, influencing effectively across R&D and potentially managing lab-based scientists as the organisation evolves.

For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

• Lead multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams to define and deliver medicine and project strategies across infectious disease discovery and early development, aligned with business objectives.
• Take accountability for high-quality scientific data packages supporting regulatory submissions, clinical protocols, patents, grants and relevant tax deductions.
• Drive candidate progression by integrating scientific evidence, risk, resources, budgets and timelines, making clear recommendations at key portfolio decision points.
• Provide strategic and technical leadership, maintaining sufficient scientific depth to challenge assumptions, guide research direction and ensure project quality.
• Develop and maintain robust project plans, proactively managing risks, issues, dependencies and mitigation actions to deliver on time, within budget and to required standards.
• Build strong relationships and communicate progress effectively with internal partners, senior leaders, governance and regulatory stakeholders, scientific forums and external experts.
• Ensure programmes comply with GSK policies, procedures, HSE expectations and regulatory requirements, while establishing external collaborations and technology partnerships that strengthen scientific excellence and innovation.
• Contribute to the growth of the group, with potential responsibility for managing and developing lab-based scientists, supervising scientific quality, performance, wellbeing, laboratory logistics and equipment.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

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

• A PhD, MD, MSc or BSc in a scientific discipline relevant to drug discovery, supported by a strong research background. 

• Demonstrated experience in monoclonal antibody discovery or development, with the scientific breadth to guide modality and programme decisions. 

• A proven record of leading multidisciplinary matrix teams, defining project strategy and driving candidate progression in complex drug discovery environments. 

• Experience using integrated scientific evidence to support key portfolio decisions, including candidate selection and progression or stop recommendations. 

• Strong, independent decision-making capability, with the judgement to move programmes forward at pace while managing scientific and delivery risk. 

• Experienced senior-level communication and influence, including the ability to position a group or programme effectively with upper management and in large forums. 

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

Please note the following skills are not necessary, just preferred, if you do not have them, please still apply:

• Experience in infectious disease research, drug discovery or early clinical development. 

• Experience with additional large-molecule modalities, such as bispecific antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates. 

• Experience establishing and leading external research collaborations, technology partnerships or platform-innovation initiatives. 

• Understanding of the wider R&D pathway from discovery through early development, including regulatory expectations and evidence requirements. 

• Experience aligning budgets, people and technical resources across multiple priorities in a matrix environment. 

• People leadership, coaching or scientific supervision experience, with the ability to build an inclusive and high-performing team. 

Closing Date for Applications – 14th October 2026

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Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.

When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Find out more: 
Our approach to R&D

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive.

We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

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