Senior scientist/ Immunology
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire (GBR)
- £25 - £29.08 Per Hour
- 12 Months
- Start date: 01 Dec 22
- Ref: GSK0JP00097296
- in vitro
- immunology
- genomics
- research
- drug discovery
- cells
- bacterial
- protocols
- validation
- clinical development
Senior scientist/ Immunology
Contract: 12 months
Location: Stevenage
Pay rate: 29.08 per hour via umbrella (inside IR35)
GlaxoSmithKline is a world leading research-based pharmaceutical company that combines both individual talent and technical resources to support our mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
We have an exciting opportunity available for a bright and innovative immunologist to join GSK’s Immunology Research Unit in Stevenage. You will be working in a stimulating and fast-moving environment, where we put great emphasis on high quality science. You will join a group of diverse and experienced biologists focused on identifying new medicines that correct dysfunction at barrier interfaces. Immune cells like macrophages interact with epithelial cells/keratinocytes at the barrier interface and play a key role in pathogen defence and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulated macrophage function at barrier interfaces results in susceptibility to infections and inflammation which are key recurring features of chronic intestinal, airway and skin diseases.
Our role is to identify novel genetically associated targets for barrier diseases in partnership with colleagues in Human Genetics and Functional Genomics, to validate the targets using disease- and mechanism-relevant in vitro cell and tissue-based assays, and to deliver the translational biology packages that support progression of molecules from lead discovery through to early clinical development.
As a Contingency Worker with a background in immunology and cell biology, you will have the opportunity to support drug discovery programs with a focus on running established protocols as well as developing new immunological assays to interrogate target biology in monocytes/macrophages, including assessment of bacterial replication in macrophages, functional characterisation of signalling pathways and quantification of inflammatory mediators in response to infection. The selected candidate will be expected to have excellent communication and organizational skills, present results at team and project meetings, and maintain accurate experimental records.
Key Responsibilities
• Contributing to the validation, characterisation and progression of novel targets and therapeutics to treat intestinal and skin diseases associated with dysfunctional myeloid biology.
• Support ongoing target validation assays and establish novel assays to evaluate, monocyte/macrophage biology, bacterial replication in macrophages, assessment of signalling pathways and inflammatory mediators in human monocyte/macrophage based in-vitro assays.
• Maintain an active knowledge of external developments in the field and adapting/initiating work plans (internally and externally) in response to emergent data.
• Engagement and sharing expertise with wider Immunology Research Unit
