The Director, Head of Computational Design is accountable for the design and application of new advanced computational methods, including Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI, for cutting-edge mRNA design and next-generation vaccine and platform design and development.
This role guides the design and optimization of nucleic acid therapeutics (e.g., mRNA), associated vaccine platforms (e.g., vaccines, antigens, multiple antigens presenting systems, and adjuvants) and delivery systems (LNPs).
Providing innovative solutions — encompassing structural bioinformatics, molecular modeling, and AI/ML-driven design — this role integrates active learning into Discovery Technology workflows to enhance immunogenicity, efficacy, and stability. This role supports discovery and preclinical research, translational, and early clinical stages as requested by DPLs, VDLs, PILs, and clinical sciences teams.
The Head leads and mentors a world-class team, ensuring scientific excellence, strategic alignment with the Head of VIDRU Data Sciences and VIDRU R&D project/platform leaders, and adherence to top scientific and industry standards for all deliverables.
What You’ll Do:
1. Provides strategic vision and leadership for computational molecular design initiatives within VIDRU Data Sciences, with a primary focus on next generation mRNA design, vaccine, antigen and NLP platform development.
2. Leads and manages a multidisciplinary team of computational design scientists, fostering a culture of high performance, scientific innovation, and continuous professional development.
3. Directs the development and application of advanced computational design methodologies, including structural bioinformatics, molecular modeling, and protein/nucleic acid engineering, with a strong emphasis on mRNA sequence and structure optimization.
4. Drives the leveraging of AI and LLMs for design, optimization, and predictive modeling (e.g., molecular stability, protein expression, immunogenicity) of antigens, mRNA, LNPs, adjuvants, and monoclonal antibodies/ADCs.
5. Ensures scientific integration by embedding computational design experts within discovery project teams, providing critical data science expertise from early-stage research through candidate selection and optimization, particularly for mRNA and platform-specific data.
6. Integrates computational predictions with experimental validation via active learning loops, establishing strong links with DiscoTech laboratories to accelerate iterative molecule design and optimization cycles.
7. Establishes strong collaborative links with DPLs, VDLs, PILs, TPLs and clinical sciences teams to ensure computational design insights directly inform and accelerate pipeline progression.
8. Drives innovation in computational design analytics by partnering closely with GSK's AIML and R&D Tech divisions, and external academic/industry Key Opinion Leaders, exploring and integrating novel AI/ML methods and computational paradigms.
Basic Qualifications:
9. PhD or equivalent experience. Computational Biology, Data Science, Mathematics and Physics, Biological or Chemical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computational Life Sciences or equivalent.
10. In depth theoretical background and practical experience on quantitative sciences applied to biology and strong competences in computer science.
11. Research experience and publication record in one or more of the relevant areas of expertise.
12. 8+ yrs in scientific experience, including four years of direct/matrix people management and international leadership responsibilities (e.g. principal investigator for international R&D projects in relevant areas).
13. Proven capacity to use the theoretical background and education to solve actual problems of R&D projects working and leading teams in cross-functional setting. This role shall act as a global reference person for the function and perform people management and coaching of global staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
14. Demonstrated strong proficiency / publication record in one or more of the following areas:
15. Advanced molecular modelling and simulation (e.g., molecular dynamics, docking, free energy calculations).
16. Structural bioinformatics and protein engineering for antigen/vaccine design.
17. Leading application of AI and LLMs for de novo mRNA design, optimization of mRNA sequence and structure, and predictive modelling for mRNA-based therapeutics.
18. Computational design of nucleic acid-based therapeutics (e.g., mRNA, viral vectors) and their delivery platforms (e.g., LNPs).
19. Predictive modelling for molecular stability, protein expression, and immunogenicity.
20. Chemoinformatic and rational drug design principles.
21. High-performance scientific computing infrastructures for large-scale computational design projects.
22. Experience with active learning frameworks for experimental design and optimization.
#GSK-LI
• If you are based in Cambridge, MA; Waltham, MA; Rockville, MD; or San Francisco, CA, the annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges $178,200 to $297,000. • If you are based in another US location, the annual base salary range is $0 to $0. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.
Please visit to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.
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.