Principal Scientist – Automation for Cell Culture

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Principal Scientist – Automation for Cell Culture 

We are looking for a highly motivated individual experienced in automating biology, automated liquid handling, high-throughput screening, and Quality Assurance (QA) processes and protocols to join GSK Oncology TA's Oncology Translational Research team. This team works collaboratively with members of the Oncology TA group to enhance clinical translatability and support preclinical development programs within GSK Oncology TA.

The chosen candidate will be part of a group using patient-derived organoids to develop and implement innovative cellular, genomic, and molecular techniques, applying multimodal analytics and machine learning models. The goal is to advance cancer patient risk stratification and predict responses to future targeted and immunotherapy treatments.

Key responsibilities 

In this role you will...

• Provide technical expertise to design/ develop/optimise and deploy lab-in-a-loop systems and orchestrated automation platforms, ensuring throughput and performance increase. 

• Oversee network infrastructure for lab automation platforms, handling design, deployment, support, installation, configuration, qualification, and operational handover.
• Act as the main technical contact between research scientists, automation engineers, and GSK Tech to gather requirements, set priorities, deliver solutions and trainings, and promote ongoing improvements. 

• Support a range of workflows including, but not limited to, organoid cell culture, compound treatment, preparation of samples for endpoint analysis (e.g. Flow cytometry, imaging) 

• Develop and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, runbooks, and training materials for automation platforms, while collaborating with Cyber Security and OT teams to assess and remediate security risks. 

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Experience with liquid handling methods and integrated automation systems in a research or laboratory environment (such as Bravo and Hamilton), scheduling software, data exchange protocols and programming languages such as Python, R, C#, or Java. 
• Experience working with complex or non-standard biological materials (e.g. viscous or ECM-based systems) in sterile workflows and aseptic techniques in automated or semi-automated environments 

• Bachelor's Degree in Life Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Bioinformatics, and significant practical experience in IT/OT roles supporting automation, infrastructure or applications in life sciences or research environments. 

• Demonstrated experience with network, TCP/IP protocols, cyber security principles, secure configuration and system administration in lab automation settings, including practical experience configuring network interfaces for devices and instrument control systems. 

• Experience with scripting

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities, enabling swift resolution of technical challenges and clear engagement with diverse stakeholders. 

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Experience in collaboration with biopharma  

• Experience in cell culture and/or 3D systems or spheroids
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Closing Date for Applications – 24th April 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.   

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

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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