Site Name: UK - Hertfordshire - Stevenage, USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence
Posted Date: Aug 14 2025
Reporting to the VP of Human Biology, the Head of Target Identification is responsible for leading the global Target Identification group within the Target Discovery Department. This team is responsible for designing and executing functional and chemogenomic studies to identify and qualify novel targets for further investigation in target validation studies in GSK’s priority disease areas, including respiratory, hepatology, neurodegeneration, oncology, renal and infectious diseases.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in molecular biology, biology, genetics, pharmacology, biochemistry, or related field with a strong background in target identification and functional genomic screening.
• 10+ years experience in high throughput cellular screening
• Proven expertise in target identification methodologies such as cellular assays, complex in vitro models, CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi or high-content screening.
• Previous people leadership experience with the proven ability to build and lead high performing teams

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency in the design and execution of CRISPR functional genomic screens and the screening technologies needed to enable these at scale.
• Extensive experience in developing and optimizing cell-based assays for high-throughput screening.
• Expertise in integration of screening data with bioinformatics and genomic data approaches to identify and prioritize drug targets.
• Demonstrated the ability to identify and drive innovation in functional genomic screening.
• Experienced in leading leaders and directing activities of a large team; able to provide vision and direction to inspire and motivate a multidisciplinary team to deliver.
• Experience in contributing to strategic and operational decision making at enterprise level, with confidence to influence senior leaders.
• Outstanding written/verbal communication skills and the demonstrated ability to work in the matrix and effectively collaborate with internal and external groups.
• Experience of applying automated solutions to enable high through cellular screening.

• Leading and managing the global target identification team: Developing strategies, setting objectives, and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Design and execution of target identification campaigns: Developing and delivering functional genomic screens using both arrayed and pooled CRISPR screening methods.
• Collaboration with the AI/ML and Computational Biology in the generation and biological interpretation of CRISPR screening and multi-omics datasets.
• Develop data pipelines: In partnership with data and predictive sciences build and improve data pipelines to enable efficient data processing and pipelining.
• Development of CRISPR screening technologies: Evaluation and development of novel screening CRISPR screening approaches to ensure that GSK stays at the forefront of scientific advancements.
• Design and execute chemogenomic studies: Collaboration with Chemical Biology to design and execute chemogenomic studies at screening scale
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams: Working closely with translational models, ‘omics, target validation teams to progress qualified targets into target validation studies.
• Development of People: Responsible for hiring, developing and retaining outstanding talent
• Fostering external partnerships: Establishing collaborations with academic institutions, contract research organizations (CROs), and other external entities to leverage expertise and technologies.
• Operational Delivery: Establishing ways of working and overseeing project plans, timelines, resources, and risk management to ensure projects are delivered efficiently.