Director, Translational Data Sciences

We are a science-led, global pharmaceutical company committed to closing the gap between biological discovery and clinical impact. Our translational mission is to decode the molecular and cellular architecture of human disease, using multi-omics data as the connective tissue between causal mechanistic insight and patient outcome., we are building the analytical infrastructure that turns complex biological signals into actionable clinical hypotheses. 

We believe that the next generation of translational leadership will be defined by the ability to move fluidly between deep genomic profiling, including at single-cell and spatial resolution, and AI-driven data integration to derive and apply insights to identify and develop transformative medicines for patients. This role has been created for a scientist who can operate at that interface with rigour, creativity, and strategic clarity. 

Director, Translational Data Sciences

We are seeking an exceptional and ambitious scientific leader to serve as Director of Translational Data Sciences. This individual will define and drive our translational data strategy across the continuum from disease biology to clinical readout, integrating multi-omics platforms with AI-driven analytics to bridge the gap between mechanistic discovery and therapeutic decision-making. 

The successful candidate will combine deep expertise in spatial, single-cell and/or other multi-omics with a demonstrated record of delivering insights from agentic AI systems. Critically, we are looking for someone who can move between scientific rigour and strategic execution: a leader who communicates directly with R&D and clinical development executives, structures external alliances, and holds themselves and their team accountable to the clinical relevance of every analytical platform they deploy. 

This is a rare opportunity for a senior data scientist with clinical and/or basic science training to shape how a leading pharmaceutical organisation connects omics data to patient outcomes, at a moment when the tools to do so are more powerful than ever before. 

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 Responsibilities 

Scientific Strategy.

Develop and execute the Translational Data Sciences strategy, with accountability for portfolio-level outcomes across multiple therapeutic areas including respiratory, renal, hepatology, and immune-mediated disease. 

Data Sciences and AI.

Leverage the potential of data sciences for pipeline progress through matrix team leadership, collaboration across Translational & Developmental Sciences and application across therapy areas and the broader organisations across GSK including R&D Technologies and AIML. 

Partnership & Alliance Leadership.

Establish and maintain high-value partnerships with leading academic laboratories, companies, and international consortia; represent the organisation at international scientific forums and translate external innovation into internal competitive advantage. 

Translational Integration.

Work directly with R&D leadership to align computational strategy with clinical development priorities, ensuring that AI-derived insights are translatable into actionable hypotheses spanning target identification and validation, biomarker discovery, and patient stratification to support pipeline delivery and clinical trial success. 

Scientific Visibility.

Contribute to the organisation's external positioning through publications, conference presentations, and academic collaborations. 

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Physical sciences (Maths, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering etc) or Biological sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering etc) undergraduate degree or Medical degree 
• PhD in data science, computer science, computational biology, bioinformatics, or a closely related discipline;  
• Extensive experience spanning academic and/or industrial drug discovery environments, with a demonstrable record of leading high-impact computational biology programmes from conception through to application to drug discovery or development challenges. 
• Prior line or matrix management experience and experience leading interdisciplinary teams across computational, experimental, and translational disciplines in both academic and/or industrial settings. 
• Demonstrated experience structuring and managing strategic partnerships with academic institutions and companies, including contribution to alliance governance. 
• Experience presenting to executive leadership, external partners, and international scientific audiences. 

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Expert command of spatial transcriptomics platforms and single-cell multi-omics analysis, with fluency in applying established analytical frameworks and the capability to develop novel methods where existing approaches are insufficient. Ideally, also with experience of integration of genomic insights with germline genetic evidence to derive causal mechanistic insight.  
• Deep expertise across the full spectrum of modern ML for biology: graph neural networks, Bayesian causal inference, topological data analysis, deep generative models (VAEs, diffusion models, GANs), and reinforcement learning, applied to biological discovery problems. 
• Proven ability to design and deliver agentic AI systems integrating large language model APIs, generative AI frameworks, and analysis workflows for automated biological insight generation. 
• Familiarity with the translational interface between target biology and clinical development; experience with adaptive clinical trial design and biomarker-driven patient stratification is highly desirable. 
• Demonstrated experience in the processing, curation, and governance of human datasets, with a strong understanding of data quality, integrity, and compliance requirements. 

What We Offer 

A leadership mandate at the frontier of genomic- and AI-enabled drug discovery, embedded within an organisation that is investing decisively in computational biology and translational data platforms. You will have direct influence on R&D Translational strategy and leadership, operational autonomy to build and execute your vision, and the institutional resources to deliver at scale. We offer a competitive senior compensation package, flexible hybrid working, and a genuine commitment to scientific impact. 

Closing Date for Applications – 1st September 2026

#LI-GSK

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

Skills

Applied Statistics, Data Analysis, Data Engineering, Data Science, Datasets, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Drug Target Identification, Genetic Analysis, Genomic Analysis, Machine Learning (ML), Software Engineering

Germany Salary Range / Gehaltsbandbreiten Deutschland: EUR 108,000 to EUR 180,000For positions covered by collective bargaining, employment conditions and remuneration are determined by the applicable collective agreements for the chemical industry as well as internal policies. More detailed information on compensation will be provided during the recruitment process. Depending on the role and internal policies, the position may also be eligible for a bonus (if applicable and based on defined, non-discretionary criteria) and/or awards for exceptional performance (granted at the employer’s discretion). All benefits arising from the applicable collective bargaining agreement, such as holiday allowance and additional paid time off, will be provided in full, in accordance with that agreement and German law. Other benefits may also be offered, which may include health & wellbeing benefits, pension plan and paid parental leave & care of family member leave.

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.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

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