Associate Director - Contextualised Tissue Biology(m/f/d)

Associate Director – Contextualised Tissue Biology for Target Discovery Location: Heidelberg (EMBL Campus) Company: Cellzome, a GSK Company Working Model: Hybrid working available (on-site and remote working arrangements can be agreed with your manager) Working Hours: Full-time preferred. We are also open to discussing 80% FTE (4-day week) for exceptional candidates. Join Us at GSK At GSK, we unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We believe breakthrough science comes from diverse perspectives, different experiences, and inclusive teams. Whether you've built your career in academia, biotech, pharma, or a combination of these environments, we are interested in hearing how your expertise can help us better understand human disease and improve patient outcomes. We are looking for an Associate Director – Contextualised Tissue Biology to play a key role in target discovery by bringing deep biological understanding to the interpretation of single-cell and spatial omics data. This is an opportunity to work at the interface of experimental biology, pathology, disease mechanisms and computational science within a highly collaborative environment at our Heidelberg research site. About the Role You will provide scientific leadership in tissue biology, helping translate complex human disease biology into actionable target discovery opportunities. The successful candidate will bring extensive hands-on expertise in: Human tissue biology Histology and pathology Tissue-based disease models Spatial biology approaches Translational biology While computational expertise is welcome, the essential requirement is the ability to collaborate closely with computational scientists, linking biological observations with single-cell and spatial data to generate meaningful therapeutic hypotheses. This role combines scientific depth, strategic influence, and people leadership. You'll help shape research direction while supporting the growth and development of scientists across the team. What You Will Do Scientific Leadership Lead tissue biology strategy across target discovery programmes. Provide physiopathological and histological expertise to define and validate disease-relevant multicellular niches. Translate tissue phenotypes and pathological observations into testable biological hypotheses. Experimental Biology Design and deliver tissue-based experiments including: Histology Immunohistochemistry In situ hybridisation Disease models Advanced tissue characterization approaches Generate the biological context needed to interpret single-cell and spatial multi-omics datasets. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with computational biology and data science teams. Co-develop analysis strategies that integrate biological, spatial and computational evidence. Contribute to target prioritisation, biomarker identification, and therapeutic strategy development. People Development Mentor and develop junior scientists. Help build a collaborative and inclusive team culture. Support scientific growth across multidisciplinary teams. Scientific Influence Represent tissue biology expertise within cross-functional forums. Communicate complex biological concepts clearly to stakeholders across research, translational science, clinical development and computational biology. Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative approaches that strengthen target validation efforts. What We're Looking For Required Qualifications: PhD in: Pathology Immunology Vascular Biology Cell Biology Or another relevant tissue or disease biology discipline. Significant hands-on experience in tissue biology, demonstrated through: Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Tissue-based disease models Scientific publications Proven experience delivering complex scientific projects in close collaboration with computational biology teams. Strong understanding of single-cell and/or spatial omics outputs and their biological interpretation. Experience mentoring scientists and contributing to team development. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Fluent English, written and spoken. Nice to Have Experience with spatial transcriptomics or related technologies. Knowledge of computational tools such as Python, R, or bioinformatics workflows. Experience working with human tissues, clinical collaborators, or biobank partnerships. Exposure to target discovery and target validation programmes. Experience influencing portfolio decisions and research strategy. German language skills. Why Join Cellzome and GSK? Work alongside world-class scientists at the EMBL Campus in Heidelberg . Help shape the future of target discovery through cutting-edge spatial and tissue biology. Be part of a collaborative, highly multidisciplinary scientific environment. Access state-of-the-art technologies and platforms. Enjoy significant opportunities for professional growth and career development. Hybrid working model with flexibility and work-life balance. Open and supportive culture where different perspectives are genuinely valued. Inclusion & Belonging We know there is no single path to becoming an outstanding scientist. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification listed, we still encourage you to apply. Strong candidates often bring valuable experiences, perspectives and capabilities that may not be reflected in a checklist alone. At Cellzome and GSK, we are committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, respected and empowered to do their best work. We welcome applications from scientists across academia, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and related scientific fields who are passionate about advancing our understanding of human disease. Ready to Apply? If you're passionate about human disease biology, tissue-based discovery, and working in a collaborative scientific environment, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your CV together with a short statement describing your experience and what attracts you to this opportunity. Apply today and help us get ahead of disease together. Skills Biotechnology, Business Strategies, Cell Biology, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Drug Development, Drug Discovery Process, Influencing Without Authority, Interpersonal Communication, Life Science, Market Opportunities, Matrix Leadership, Molecular Biology, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing, Strategic Alignment Germany Salary Range / Gehaltsbandbreiten Deutschland: E