Head Of Mrna Platform

Head of mRNA Platform

Business Introduction
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.
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Our approach to R&D

Position Summary

The Head of mRNA Platform will have a cross functional role as a single contributor or leading a small team. He/she is expected to work cross functionally with the Heads of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Data science, within Discovery tech, as well as with teams across GSK R&D, including VIDRU, TRD, and Research Tech.

The Head of mRNA Platform will provide transformative leadership within GSK’s matrix organisation, driving the discovery, development, and maturation of mRNA platforms. This leader will play a pivotal role in advancing innovative mRNA technologies and ensuring their seamless transition from research to Technical Research and Development (TRD, MDS) for broader application. By leveraging cross-functional collaboration, state-of-the-art science, and strategic alignment, this role will elevate GSK’s capabilities in mRNA vaccine development to address evolving public health needs and emerging opportunities in both infectious and non-infectious diseases.

mRNA vaccines are central to rapid responses to pathogen evolution, epidemiological shifts, and outbreak/pandemic scenarios, including influenza and COVID-19 strain adaptations. This role will focus on building and optimising robust mRNA platforms capable of delivering high-quality, scalable solutions for these challenges. Additionally, the Head of mRNA Platform will define and drive the strategic innovation roadmap for discovery platforms, balancing project delivery with forward-looking scientific opportunities to ensure GSK remains at the forefront of vaccine discovery.

This new role prioritises a streamlined approach to platform development that integrates deeply within the matrix organisation. By focusing on platform maturation, innovation, and transition, the Head of mRNA Platform will drive GSK’s ability to respond nimbly to public health needs and position RNA as core element of the company’s vaccine innovation strategy.

Responsibilities

• Project First: Collaborate with Discovery Units to develop and optimise lead RNA vaccine candidates by providing transversal and enhanced capabilities, ensuring agile and efficient project delivery.
• Tech Enabled: Drive end-to-end innovation for GSK’s Infectious Disease cutting-edge technology platforms within a 2-year timeframe to accelerate discovery and platform maturation.
• Expert Led: Improve key interfaces across the R&D organisation by leveraging synergies, fostering collaboration, and boosting scientific innovation across functions.

Additional Responsibilities

• Define and execute a strategy for mRNA vaccine platform development, emphasising innovation, scalability, and readiness for TRD integration.
• Develop and implement an innovation roadmap that balances immediate project needs with long-term scientific opportunities.
• Invest in modular vaccine platforms (e.g., mRNA, protein subunits, adjuvants) designed for speed, flexibility, and manufacturability to minimise late-stage disruptions.
• Apply platform-based approaches to enable “plug and play” of new antigens, reducing early development timelines.
• Implement standardised CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) approaches to compress timelines and streamline regulatory submissions.
• Build and maintain strong external collaborations with world-class scientists and institutions to introduce cutting-edge technologies and ideas.
• Lead cross-functional relationships across Vaccines R&D, TRD, and other groups, including Scientific Areas, Clinical Science, Toxicology, Data Science, Structural Biology, Translational Medicine, Regulatory Affairs, Business Development, and Global Patents.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality data packages for regulatory filings, patents, and publications, integrating state-of-the-art science and technology to accelerate development timelines.
• Facilitate smooth and timely handover of mature RNA vaccine platforms to TRD (MDS) for development, scale-up, and manufacturing readiness.
• Oversee regulatory-quality data delivery and promote adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards.

Basic Qualifications
We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals:

• PhD in Biology or related scientific field
• Previous experience as a leader of PhD level scientists with evidence of scientific achievement (peer-reviewed publications, patents)
• Experience in vaccine R&D
• Experience as a global leader and subject matter expert in RNA design, biology, and delivery including: leadership to drive and manage scientific projects, expertise in RNA-based vaccine and pharmaceutical R&D and experience in working in a matrix system to drive fast-paced vaccine projects.

Preferred Qualifications

You will stand out if you also bring the following

• Experience of leading internal/external collaborations
• Experience leading and inspiring teams, develop/mentor scientists, and strategically allocate resources according to portfolio priorities.
• Strong leadership, influence, collaboration and ability to drive complex projects in heavily matrixed role

This role is based in Italy, United States or Belgium and offers a hybrid working model.

If you are excited about the opportunity to lead in the rapidly evolving field of mRNA technology and make a difference in patients’ lives, we encourage you to apply today!

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.

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