Location of role: Oxford, UK

Department: Antibody Research

Key Responsibilities

Main Purpose of Job:

The primary purpose of this role is to leverage emerging expertise and subject matter knowledge in antibody technologies and biologics drug discovery to address significant and complex challenges, aligning work with the wider Immunocore’s strategy. The individual will interpret internal and external business context, recommend best practices, and identify new solutions to improve products and processes. They will make timely, tough decisions, effectively dealing with ambiguity and limited information.

The role involves developing and executing the strategy for antibody discovery and engineering, leveraging machine learning, with a focus on engineering multi-specifics. The incumbent will be expected to maintain strategic awareness of the market, competitive landscape, and opportunities, understanding the impact of their decisions on short-term and long-term results. They will interact proactively with key stakeholders, influencing, negotiating, and persuading on difficult concepts, and regularly presenting at high-profile meetings.

Leadership is a key component, with responsibilities including leading functional teams or projects, serving as a best practices resource, and providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to professional and managerial employees. Advanced people management skills are essential, with a focus on managing changing priorities, inspiring and motivating the team, and fostering a climate of creativity and empowerment. The individual will create a safe environment for learning and development, establish clear career paths, and hold career development conversations. They will proactively manage talent development, provide challenging opportunities, and offer constructive feedback, holding individuals accountable for their self-development. The role requires effective coaching skills, the ability to bring vision and strategy to life, and the capacity to engage in difficult conversations to inspire action and create a sense of purpose.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides deep scientific and technical expertise in antibody research, including antibody fragments and multi-specifics, discovery approaches, affinity maturation, and developability criteria and assays
• Shape, establish and maintain strategic capabilities to further develop and continually improve our antibody platform
• Bridge antibody strategy with execution by the laboratory-based teams using outsourcing as/when appropriate
• Identify innovative antibody technologies and leverage machine learning to benefit discovery and engineering
• Co-lead innovative technology and/or drug discovery projects
• Analyse, interpret and effectively communicate plans and findings at departmental, project, and leadership team meetings, providing go/no go recommendations
• Liaise with Therapy area leaders and the drug pipeline-focused teams to identify and trial new approaches
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders across Research and the wider organisation and present to governance committees as required on recommendations
• Develop and maintain relevant internal and external scientific networks
• Keeping up to date knowledge/awareness of external antibody related research, both academic and industrial
• Lead and contribute to peer reviewed publications, Invention disclosures and patents
• Present at international conferences
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety guidelines, electronic lab notebooks and other systems, policies & procedures