Director – Oncology Early Translational Biomarkers

GSK

Director responsible for defining and implementing biomarker strategies across early oncology programs for GSK. Collaborating with scientists and clinicians to advance cancer research and treatments.

Posted 6/13/2026full-timeUpper Providence • California, Maryland, Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as the translational medicine lead for assigned early Oncology programs (preclinical to Phase 1): define and own biomarker and translational strategies, plans and decision-enabling datasets.
Identify cutting edge science and technological advances and incorporate them into biomarker strategies to guide indication selection, patient enrichment, and combination strategies.
Develop program-specific translational plans including hypothesis-driven biomarker selection, assay strategy (fit-for-purpose), sample collection/handling, and statistical/analysis plans.
Provide scientific input into target validation and discovery phases, pharmacology, PK/PD, target engagement, mechanism-of-action and patient selection strategies across modalities.
Lead assay selection, qualification/validation strategy and oversight (internal and external CROs/diagnostic partners); ensure data quality and regulatory/compliance readiness.
Integrate preclinical model data with clinical development plans, informing dose selection, biomarker endpoints and translational go/no-go criteria.
Serve as the primary cross-functional interface for translational questions—represent translational perspectives in program governance, clinical project teams, and portfolio reviews.
Translate complex scientific evidence into clear risk/benefit and go-to-clinic recommendations for portfolio decision-making.
Prepare and present translational updates, sections for clinical protocols, investigator brochures, regulatory briefing documents and scientific reports.
Mentor and support the development of junior scientists; contribute to team capability building and knowledge sharing.
Manage external scientific partnerships (academic collaborators, CROs, diagnostics vendors) to deliver assays, sample logistics and high-quality data.
Contribute to resource planning, budgets and timelines for translational activities for assigned programs.

Requirements

What you’ll need

PhD and/or MD with substantive experience in Oncology / immune-Oncology drug development.
Minimum 5 years of experience in translational medicine, biomarker science, clinical development and particularly the application of biomarkers in Oncology clinical trials within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
Expertise in cancer biology across key disease areas of focus (Lung: NSCLC/SCLC, GI: CRC, Haem: MM, Gynaecological cancers) and the therapeutic landscape including approved and investigational agents.
Demonstrated expertise across multiple therapeutic modalities relevant to the GSK portfolio: large molecules, small molecules and immune cell engagers.
Proven track record of designing and executing translational biomarker strategies in early- and late-phase clinical trials, including assay development, validation, and clinical deployment.
Hands-on experience of implementation of a range of biomarker platforms including flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics (NGS, FISH, PCR), and/or IHC/IF for Oncology clinical trials.
Experience in driving, managing, executing, and delivering results for complex, multi-functional projects in a matrixed pharmaceutical environment.

Benefits

Comp & perks

health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
retirement benefits
paid holidays
vacation
paid caregiver/parental and medical leave

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

translational medicinebiomarker scienceclinical developmentassay developmentvalidationcancer biologytherapeutic modalitiesbiomarker strategiesflow cytometrymolecular diagnostics

Soft Skills

mentoringcross-functional collaborationscientific communicationproject managementteam capability building

Certifications

PhDMD