Biocatalysis Scientist

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An exciting opportunity has arisen in the GSK Enzyme Engineering and Biocatalysis group for a biocatalysis scientist. In this role you would be responsible for supporting our work developing novel enzyme chemistries and discovering new enzyme variants for the synthesis of oligonucleotide and small molecule APIs across the GSK portfolio. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team of experts, you would, scope biocatalytic reactions, develop assays to probe specific biochemical properties of enzymes and execute HTP screening workflows within our enzyme engineering platform.

The role is fast-paced and dynamic, you will thrive in this environment if you are able to effectively manage multiple priorities, communicate your recommendations clearly and enjoy working in cross-functional teams. 

Key responsibilities: 

As a biocatalysis scientist, you will be responsible for a wide range of activities supporting our directed evolution workflow on a variety of protein engineering activities.

Activities include: 

• Plan and execute experiments to further understanding of relevant biocatalyst properties towards reaction industrialisation, such as reaction kinetics
• Utilize screening technologies, including automation, for the discovery and optimisation of enzyme reactions focused on oligonucleotide manufacturing.
• Validate screening results to appropriate scale (e.g. Plate, Vial or Laboratory Reactor)
• Analysing data using programs such as MS Excel, TIBCO Spotfire and bespoke software tools to inform decisions, utilize a LIMS system to track samples and analyses
• Work closely with Molecular Biologists, NGS scientists, and Bioinformaticians to identify and resolve barriers with in the enzyme engineering workflow
• Interact with partners in discovery, development, and manufacturing to identify and pursue enzyme opportunities

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a relevant life science
• Practical laboratory experience of the identification of enzymes to perform reactions of interest, and the optimization of those enzymes under synthetically relevant conditions

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

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

• Bachelor’s degree and equivalent relevant laboratory experience OR doctoral/PhD degree in Biocatalysis, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Oligonucleotide Chemistry or a related discipline
• Knowledge and experience with enzyme engineering techniques
• Practical laboratory experience of characterising nucleic acid-modifying enzymes such as ligases, polymerases, phosphatases and kinases.
• Understanding of enzyme structure function relationship
• Familiarity with lab automation equipment and its use in high throughput experimentation
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams, displaying excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

Closing Date for Applications – 22nd November 2024

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 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.

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Our approach to R&D. 

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Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

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