Job Overview: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is seeking an experienced Associate Director/Scientific Leader in Automation Infrastructure to join our new RTech Automation team in Data Automation & Predictive Sciences (DAPS) in our Research Technologies (RTech) division.  This team will spearhead the integration of automation technologies into our scientific workflows to deliver biology and data at scale.  A critical component of RTech's vision as a technology-driven leader in target discovery and molecule design is the establishment of an integrated design-generate-analyze-model-predict cycle within DAPS, supported by this centralized Automation Engineering team. This team will transform RTech by deploying cutting-edge lab automation and robotics at global sites, serving as a center for expertise and support to align strategies and maximize automation investments.

The successful candidate will lead the design, testing, and industrialization of cutting-edge automation systems integral to our operations. This role involves strategic planning and execution of automation infrastructure initiatives, essential for enhancing efficiency, reliability, and scalability of our processes. This role will work in partnership with RTech science lines and other teams within RTech Automation to design and embed fit-for-purpose systems.  The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of automation system design and implementation, ensuring alignment with both current and future technological and scientific advancements within the biotech or pharmaceutical sector. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of pharmaceutical research and development at GSK.

This role will report to the Head of RTech Automation UK/US and will join the new RTech Automation Leadership Team to shape our vision and strategy in automating drug discovery workflows, while also providing technical expertise. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership and Development: Lead a small line and global matrix teams focused on automation, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.  Lead by example to foster an automation mindset across the organization.

• Strategic Integration and Collaboration: Build strong partnerships and collaborate with leaders across the organization to deploy lab automation to enable key business priorities.
• Lead the design and implementation of automation platforms to support GSK’s research objectives.
• Deliver reliable, scalable, and secure automation infrastructure to accelerate research, adhering to industry best practices and safety requirements.
• Collaborate with research leaders, scientists, IT, and engineering teams to establish requirements and develop comprehensive automation solutions in partnership with integration vendors.
• Manage the industrialization of automation technologies, both integrated platforms and standalone devices and other advanced tools.
• Oversee the design and application of automation systems (both hardware and software) to existing research platforms, ensuring seamless data flow and system interoperability.
• Ensure the reliability, scalability, and security of automation platforms, adhering to industry standards and local safety requirements.
• Develop and maintain documentation for system design. 
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, incorporating new advancements into GSK's automation strategy.
• Build partnerships with external vendors and other partners to evaluate and implement new automation technologies.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

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

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in automation infrastructure design and implementation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role designing and deploying automation systems in a research or laboratory environment.
• Experience with automation technologies, both integrated platforms and standalone devices, and data management systems.
• Experience with system integration, including commercial scheduling software (such as Momentum, Cellario, and GreenButtonGo), APIs, middleware, and data exchange protocols.
• Experience with project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to automation in pharmaceutical research.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, R, C#, or Java, and experience with scripting for automation.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and services (e.g., AWS, Azure).
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data visualization tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of safety requirements and industry standards related to automation in pharmaceutical research.

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 special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).