Associate Director/Scientific Leader, Automation Infrastructure

426620 Associate Director/Scientific Leader, Automation Infrastructure

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 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. 

We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.

Discover more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK on our webpage Life at GSK | GSK

In this role you will

• 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 & Skills:

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

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant and varied experience in automation infrastructure design and implementation in a pharmaceutical/CRO/Biotech environment, with a proven record of leadership or line management.
• Proven expertise in designing and deploying automation systems in a research or laboratory environment.
• Strong understanding of 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.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

• 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.

Closing Date for Applications – 15th of October, 2025 (COB)

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.   

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.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com or 0808 234 4391.  The helpline is available from 8.30am to 12.00 noon Monday to Friday, during bank holidays these times and days may vary.

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a UK Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link and scroll to the Careers Section where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

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