Sr. Principal Scientist, Neurodegeneration

Senior Principal Scientist, Neurodegeneration

This role is based on site at our Upper Providence, PA location.

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. GSK has kicked off 2025 with impressive growth in sales, profits, and earnings. We anticipate five major new FDA product approvals and 15 phase III/pivotal study readouts over the next two years. So far, we have secured two FDA approvals, with three more expected later this year. By uniting science, technology, and talent, we are committed to getting ahead of disease together. 

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented scientific laboratory leader with a strong background in neuroscience to join our growing Respiratory Immunology Inflammatory Research Unit (RIIRU) at GSK's Upper Providence research facility in the United States. The mission for RIIRU is to target diseases by harnessing the power of the immune system. The ideal candidate will work within a dynamic team to support research in neurodegenerative diseases (ND) such as AD, PD, and ALS.

This full-time position requires a PhD with at least five years of industry experience with a passion for science and drug development. Candidates should possess deep understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s and proven track record in this field with high impact publications and leading biology studies in early-stage drug discovery projects. This role requires demonstration of ability to independently formulate target hypothesis, validation strategy, and the execution of experiments in a fast-paced environment. Critical interpretation of results and recommendation of alternative strategies for project teams is part of the core responsibility of this role. Ideal candidates must also demonstrate the ability to build internal/external networks, influence project direction, and progress collaborations with academic and contract research organizations.

Key Responsibilities:

In this role, you will:

• Lead biology studies both from/off-bench to support discovery projects by developing target – disease biology hypothesis, establishing and performing in vitro iPSC derived CNS cells/ ex vivo cellular assays primarily using biochemistry expertise combined with molecular and cell biology.
• Develop novel assays with high translational value to interrogate target or disease biology
• Develop testable target and biomarker hypothesis based on Omics data
• Optimize and perform in vitro assays to support lead optimization of molecules
• Work collaboratively with matrix partners to lead workstreams towards project milestone
• Periodically update work status to project teams, matrix partners, and senior stakeholders
• Manage time efficiently and be productive when there are competing priorities
• Be compliant with GSK policies and SOPs including recording electronic laboratory notebooks, maintaining safety while working in the lab.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Biochemistry, preferably in Alzheimer’s disease with 5+ years drug discovery experience in industry
• Three or more years of experience in leading biology studies in early-stage drug discovery projects
• Three or more years of experience in protein isolation from iPS derived cells, human brain/biofluid samples, and characterization using biochemical and mass spectrometric methods
• 8+ years’ experience working with iPSC derived CNS cells and standard laboratory techniques such as cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry
• 5+ years’ experience in developing assays to investigate target mechanisms/ biology preferably in Alzheimer’s disease using iPSC derived cells in 2D- configuration
• 3+ years’ experience in using AI/ML tools to develop biological/mechanistic hypothesis using omic datasets

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in conceptualizing, designing and developing complex assays utilizing different cellular models including primary and hiPSC-derived cells (neuron/microglia/astrocytes)
• 5+ years deep multidisciplinary expertise in biological mass spectrometry, quantitative proteomics including isotope labeling (SILAC) and label-free techniques and targeted proteomics workflow
• 5+ year’s experience in deploying cell-based target engagement assays and establishing proximal functional pharmacology
• Demonstrated ability to work effortlessly in a collaborative and multidisciplinary team environment
• Effective communication skills and being proactive at work.

#Li-GSK

Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

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.

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