Head of Discovery Biology

**Site Name**: GSK Tres Cantos, Madrid
**Posted Date**: Jul 16 2025

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people over the next 10 years. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease. Science and technology are coming together in a way they never have before, and we have strong tech-enabled capabilities that allow us to build a deeper understanding of the patient, human biology and disease mechanisms, and transform medical discovery. We are revolutionising the way we do R&D. We’re uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Find out more:
Our approach to R&D.

We are seeking a dynamic and innovative leader to assume the role of Head of Discovery Biology within our Global Health Medicines R&D organization (based in Tres Cantos, Spain). As a key leader within the organization, the Head of Discovery Biology will play a critical role in enhancing our fill-and-flow projections, driving scientific excellence and fostering innovation, by incorporating innovative approaches while ensuring alignment with long-term strategic goals. This position will require exceptional scientific acumen, strong leadership capabilities, and a collaborative mindset to work effectively across cross-functional teams and with internal & external stakeholders.

**In this role you will**
- Leading and manage a team of aprox 20 scientists specialized in in vitro biology; accountable of distribution of resources (people and laboratories) across the GHMRD pipeline and TCOLF projects
- Accountable for shaping and advancing the GHMRD early discovery pipeline (from C2T to C2LO), directly contributing to the strategic growth and scientific leadership of GSK Global Health as an innovation-driven organization.
- Drive innovation and incorporation of innovative approaches into the team's work, by keeping up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies in research and development, in the fields of small molecules and monoclonal antibodies against infectious Diseases.
- Ensure staff is adequately trained to work across both in vitro and in vivo laboratory environments and navigate biosafety levels (BSL2, BSL3, and BSL4). Maintain a pool of highly trained personnel capable of operating in BSL4 laboratories to respond promptly to any operational needs.
- Ensure adherence to all GSK policies, procedures, and regulatory standards in laboratory operations, including EHSS standards, to be fully integrated into the operations and culture of the function, reinforcing a high-performance and compliant environment.
- Oversight of Data Integrity and Quality Assurance related to in vitro studies performed both internally and by external collaborators, with the support of the corresponding SMEs (bio-imaging, screening, cell biology ).
- Coordinate CAPEX budgets requirements and centralize needs for new/update laboratory equipment’s
- Maintains high-functioning and synergistic cross-functional relationships across the different GHMRD teams (in vivo & LAS, translational, clinical)
- Build and lead cross-functional scientific networks, fostering synergies within the organization and with external partners to accelerate innovation and maximize global public health impact.
- Can lead and exploit commonalities between different therapeutic modalities (drugs, mAbs and Vaccines).
- Provide strong and inspiring people leadership; attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent while promoting a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous learning.
- Serve as a key scientific advisor and active member in project teams, governance committees, and matrix leadership forums, influencing strategic decisions across the R&D lifecycle.

**Why you?**

**Qualifications & Experience**:

- PhD Degree or equivalent in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or similar.
- Significant experience in a scientific role and managing people
- Demonstrated deep scientific leadership across a wide range of disease areas, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), malaria, viral diseases, and other global health priorities.
- Experience in strategic planning, project leadership, external public-private consortia coordination and budget management in a matrixed organization
- Prior experience coordinating internal and external teams guided towards the attainment of goals.
- Focus on results; capable of leading teams in complex situations and meets personal and collective commitments and promises. Has a disciplined approach, ensuring a relentless focus on quality, compliance, scientific rigor and operational excellence. Ability to think in terms of the big picture. Uses excellent analytical skills and makes decisions with sound judgment after collecting feedback from team.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills and demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional collaborations including managing relationshi