At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative oncology clinical studies and ensure patient safety through expert medical oversight.
- Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader dedicated to transforming health outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on patient-centric solutions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cancer care while working with cutting-edge science and technology.
- Qualifications: MD with oncology experience and strong clinical trial knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
For candidates seeking to be located at our Stevenage site, this role will temporarily be based at Stevenage. However, the Company plans to relocate its offices to Cambridge, UK. The location of this role will therefore subsequently change to Cambridge, UK in accordance with timelines to be set by the Company. The relocation is currently proposed to take effect by early 2029.
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.
Cancer is unrelenting, but so are we. At GSK, we are committed to transforming outcomes for people with cancer through innovative science, bold ambition, and strong partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. We focus our science where it can matter most — advancing care in cancers with high unmet need, grounded in a deep understanding of disease biology and deliberate scientific choices that connect discovery to meaningful impact in the real world.
The Medical Director, Oncology Clinical Development - GI is the physician within the clinical programme team, bringing medical expertise, clinical judgement, and a patient-centred perspective to the design, conduct, and interpretation of clinical studies. This role is accountable for medical monitoring and safety oversight, ensuring that patient safety and clinical integrity are maintained throughout study execution.
Operating within the clinical strategy defined by the Clinical Development Lead (CDL), the Medical Director partners closely with the Senior Scientist and cross-functional teams to ensure that the physician perspective is fully integrated into study delivery. The role serves as a core member of the Clinical Matrix Team (CMT), contributing to study-level decisions, investigator engagement, and regulatory interactions.
In This Role You Will:
- Serve as the physician within the clinical programme team, providing medical expertise across study design, conduct, safety oversight, and data interpretation
- Lead medical monitoring activities for clinical studies, ensuring patient safety, clinical integrity, and compliance with the protocol and regulatory requirements
- Interpret clinical and safety data from a physician perspective, generating insights that inform study-level and programme-level decisions led by the CDL
- Partner with the Senior Scientist and cross-functional teams to ensure medical considerations are integrated into study execution and delivery
- Contribute medical expertise to protocol development, ensuring clinical relevance, patient safety, and feasibility within the framework defined by the CDL
- Serve as a core member of the Clinical Matrix Team (CMT), providing the medical voice in study-level discussions and cross-functional decision-making
- Engage with investigators and Key External Experts (KEEs) to support study conduct, scientific exchange, and external representation of the programme
- Contribute to regulatory documents, Health Authority interactions, and scientific communications from a physician perspective
Detailed Responsibilities:
Medical Monitoring and Safety Oversight
- Lead medical monitoring activities for assigned clinical studies, including real-time clinical decision-making on patient eligibility, protocol-related medical queries, and safety oversight
- Conduct and oversee medical review of clinical trial data, both directly and through oversight of delegated medical review activities
- Interpret and contextualise safety data in collaboration with pharmacovigilance, ensuring appropriate signal detection, escalation, and benefit–risk assessment at the study level
- Participate in safety review forums, including Safety Review Team (SRT) discussions, Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) data reviews, and internal governance as required
- Ensure medical monitoring activities are conducted in compliance with GCP, ICH guidelines, and applicable regulatory frameworks
Study Design and Execution
- Provide medical input into protocol development, ensuring clinical relevance, patient safety, and operational feasibility within the clinical strategy defined by the CDL
- Apply clinical judgement to support protocol implementation, addressing medical questions that arise during study conduct and ensuring consistency with the study’s scientific objectives
- Partner with the Senior Scientist to ensure that medical considerations are fully integrated into study execution, data generation, and operational delivery
- Contribute to the development and review of key study documents, including the Informed Consent Form (ICF), protocol deviation management plan (PDMP), and study reference manual (SRM)
- Provide medical input into clinical data generation activities, ensuring alignment with study objectives, patient safety considerations, and the Clinical Development Plan (CDP)
Data Interpretation and Scientific Contribution
- Interpret clinical data from a physician perspective, translating findings into insights on safety, efficacy, and patient impact that inform decision-making by the CDL
- Contribute to study-level and programme-level data interpretation, supporting the CDL’s assessment of benefit–risk and clinical positioning
- Contribute to the development of scientific communications, including study reports, clinical study summaries, publications, and congress materials
- Collaborate with investigators on the evaluation and development of abstracts, posters, and manuscripts derived from clinical programme data
- Maintain current knowledge of the asset’s biological mechanism, disease landscape, evolving treatment paradigms, and competitive environment to inform clinical interpretation
Regulatory and External Engagement
- Contribute medical expertise to regulatory documents and Health Authority interactions, including responses to clinical and safety queries
- Support preparation of materials for regulatory submissions, advisory boards, and external engagements, providing the physician perspective on clinical data and safety
- Engage with Key External Experts (KEEs), investigators, and scientific collaborators to support study conduct, scientific exchange, and relationship development
- Represent the medical perspective at cross-departmental interactions, including Integrated Evidence Team (IET) and Medical Affairs strategy discussions, as delegated by the CDL
- Contribute to the clinical and technical diligence assessment of business development opportunities as requested
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Clinical Matrix Team
- Serve as a core member of the Clinical Matrix Team (CMT), providing medical leadership within study execution
- Contribute medical expertise to disease area strategy, integrated evidence planning, and Medical Affairs discussions as appropriate
- Collaborate across functions — including Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Regulatory, and Pharmacovigilance — to ensure alignment on study objectives, patient safety, and data quality
- Contribute to Oncology Clinical Development-wide initiatives and workstreams
Why You?
Working Model: This role is hybrid and based in Switzerland. You will be expected to be on-site regularly and collaborate with colleagues across locations.
Basic Qualifications: We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals:
- MD (or equivalent medical degree) with board certification or eligibility in oncology, haematology, or a related specialty
- Clinical experience in oncology and/or relevant therapeutic areas, with direct exposure to clinical research or drug development
- Demonstrated experience in clinical trial conduct, including medical monitoring, safety review, and clinical data interpretation
- Strong working knowledge of clinical development processes, including GCP, ICH guidelines, and global regulatory frameworks
- Ability to apply clinical judgement to support study design, patient safety, and real-time medical decision-making within a structured clinical development framework
- Experience operating effectively within cross-functional matrix teams in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or academic clinical trial environment
- Strong scientific communication skills, with the ability to translate clinical data into clear insights for internal and external audiences
Preferred Qualifications: If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
- Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology clinical development across Phase I–III GI oncology studies
- Prior experience contributing to regulatory interactions (e.g., IND submissions, scientific advice, NDA/MAA filings)
- Demonstrated experience engaging with Key External Experts (KEEs), investigators, and scientific collaborators in oncology
- Track record of contributing to clinical publications, congress presentations, or scientific communications
- Deep understanding of oncology disease biology, evolving treatment paradigms, and the competitive landscape across solid tumours and/or haematological malignancies
- Experience in medical monitoring across multiple studies or programmes within a clinical development organisation
- Familiarity with emerging data and analytics approaches (e.g., real-world evidence, AI-enabled insights) to support clinical interpretation and decision-making
What we value in you: We act with transparency, respect and integrity. We welcome different perspectives and champion inclusion. Bring curiosity, humility and a clear focus on patients. If you are motivated to drive clinical progress and to grow with a team that values collaboration and impact, we encourage you to apply.
How to apply: Please submit your CV and a short cover letter that explains how your experience matches the role and what motivates you to join us. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and look forward to hearing from you.
Medical Director-Oncology Clinical Development - GI in London employer: GSK
GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Stevenage. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to extensive development opportunities while working on groundbreaking medicine projects. The hybrid work model and future relocation to Cambridge provide a unique advantage, ensuring a vibrant environment for both personal and professional advancement.
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Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for the Medical Director-Oncology Clinical Development - GI at GSK, focus on highlighting your clinical experience and any specific training you've undergone. Include any relevant placements or internships you’ve completed, as well as any certifications that bolster your qualifications in human medicine.
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Tailor Your Cover Letter Thoughtfully:Be sure to personalise your cover letter for the Medical Director-Oncology Clinical Development - GI at GSK. Mention why you’re passionate about human medicine and how you align with the company’s mission. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm and make a case for why you'll be a valuable addition to the team!
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How to prepare for a job interview at GSK
✨Brush Up on Clinical Knowledge
Since you're aiming for a role in human medicine, make sure you’re sharp on the latest clinical guidelines and practices relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss case studies or scenarios you might encounter in the role. This will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also ready to apply that knowledge in real-life situations.
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✨Know Your CV Backwards
As you’re applying for a full-time position, your CV should tell a story. Be ready to discuss every part of it, especially your clinical experiences, the impact you had, and what you learned. Employers want to see how your journey has prepared you for this role, so think of it like you're taking them through your professional narrative.
✨Prepare for Ethical Scenarios
Ethics are a big deal in human medicine, so expect questions that assess your decision-making in tricky situations. Think about how you'd handle ethical dilemmas or patient confidentiality concerns. Prepare a few examples that illustrate your thought process and how you prioritise patient welfare in your decision-making.