In Vivo Respiratory Principal Scientist

Role Summary

Location: USA - Pennsylvania - Upper Providence. As a lab-based In Vivo Respiratory Principal Scientist in the Complex Models group within the Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation Biology Unit (RIIBU), you will contribute to the in vivo biology strategy and lead the design, execution, and reporting of preclinical integrative experiments (in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo) to support therapeutic area teams and drug discovery projects from target validation through clinical phases. You will work on targets, in vivo models, and integrative translational biology related to respiratory diseases such as COPD and IPF/ILD.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and lab/vivarium-based execution of in vivo strategies for the respiratory disease area.
• Contribute to the delivery of respiratory preclinical efficacy and mechanistic in vivo studies using respiratory models to enable PK/PD and translational biomarker data generation.
• Lead discussions to ascertain a robust understanding of scientific rationale, key objectives, endpoints and Go/No-Go decisions for in vivo models and studies, setting clear goals and timelines.
• Use understanding of PK/PD principles relating to respiratory diseases to drive innovation and independently design, execute, analyze, and present in vivo studies as the In Vivo Leader (IVL) representative on portfolio projects with input from Biology Leader (BL), Project Leader (PL), and Complex Models Leadership Team.
• Understand and independently apply robust study design (RSD) principles, gain input from Subject Matter Experts and matrix partners (e.g. LASG, Statistics, PK modelling, Histopathology, Dispensary, Biopharm and Chemistry) prior to seeking endorsement/recommendations for animal studies at Independent Scientific Review (ISR) forum and Pre-Study Briefings (PSB).
• Anticipate any potential challenges with experiments and independently resolve technical issues in experimental planning, setup and execution with minimal guidance.
• Lab/vivarium-based execution to enable sample/tissue acquisition, processing, and analysis to enable integration of PK/PD and translational biomarker data from in vivo studies and where necessary utilize advanced ex vivo assay techniques such as Flow cytometry, ELISAs, MSD, Luminex and qPCR.
• Key contact for animal studies, including provision of out-of-hours procedures as required.
• Responsible for maintaining technical expertise/competency and confidence in animal handling, dosing, blood and tissue collection, and measurements of biological/physiological function (e.g. lung function, hemodynamics).
• Be familiar with Federal Laws surrounding animal use in research and the local governance process (IACUC, AUP).
• Be familiar with severity limits/constraints related to adverse effects and respond as required under IACUC, AUP and GSK Policy on Care, Welfare and Treatment of Animals.
• Take responsibility for assessing animal health and welfare, document findings, and act on them or seek expert advice when necessary.
• Work effectively with internal matrix partners (e.g. BL, PL, RTech).
• Lead animal studies placed externally (e.g. CRO, academic groups) including Study Monitoring responsibilities.
• Maintain accurate, up to date and detailed electronic laboratory records in alignment with data integrity standards and ensure compliance with all relevant written standards, SOPs, Risk Assessments and safety guidelines.
• Foster an enterprise culture of innovation, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning.
• Keep up to date with the relevant literature and apply to in vivo strategies and studies.

Qualifications

• Required: BSc in a biological science and 5+ years respiratory in vivo experience or MSc in a Biological Science with 4+ years respiratory in vivo experience or PhD in a biological science and 2+ years respiratory in vivo experience, either in industry or an academic environment.
• Required: Current experience and knowledge of respiratory disease mechanisms involved in COPD and IPF/ILD and use of in vivo systems to interrogate pathophysiological mechanisms in these diseases.
• Required: Hands-on experience with animal model systems in the respiratory disease area including lung function measurement (e.g. Whole-Body Plethysmography, Dynamic Compliance and resistance, FEV and FVC).
• Required: Hands-on lab/vivarium-based experience in using in vivo models in the respiratory disease area including relevant animal handling, dosing (intranasal and intratracheal), tissue necropsy (BAL and lung dissection), and blood sampling.
• Required: Experience of Flow cytometry (processing of respiratory-relevant tissues), ELISAs, MSD, Luminex and qPCR or RNAseq.
• Required: Experience with overseeing external animal studies conducted at CRO or academic groups as study monitor.
• Required: Experience with writing and critiquing scientific documents and independently communicating scientific ideas and experimental findings, both verbally and in written form to line and matrix teams.
• Preferred: Expertise in biomarker assay development in the respiratory disease area to define PKPD parameters and inform translational research.
• Preferred: Experience in drug discovery processes within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry and knowledge of the drug discovery pillars.
• Preferred: Familiarity with omics platforms (spatial, bulk and single cell RNA seq) and advanced imaging technologies.
• Preferred: Proven ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Preferred: Knowledge of regulatory guidelines relating to use of animals in research and compliance requirements.

Skills

• In vivo pharmacology and PK/PD principles in respiratory diseases.
• Laboratory animal handling, dosing (intranasal and intratracheal), tissue collection, and necropsy.
• Lung function assessment techniques (e.g., plethysmography, dynamic compliance/resistance, FEV/FVC).
• Flow cytometry, ELISAs, MSD, Luminex, and qPCR/RNAseq.
• Data analysis and interpretation, and presentation to cross-functional teams.
• Regulatory compliance knowledge (IACUC/AUP) and data integrity practices.

Education

• BSc in Biological Science
• MSc in Biological Science
• PhD in Biological Science