During the start-up phase it may be necessary to establish biology laboratories entirely de novo, or incorporate new disciplines where no existing team or infrastructure exists. Emma has a history of team building and expansion from several of her previous roles and is well placed to plan, drive and facilitate the process. Emma is an experienced cellular and molecular biologist with hands-on knowledge of laboratory practice and governance procedures for biological research. Emma’s experience also includes building multi-disciplinary teams in areas which she has no direct technical expertise, and where she leads by engaging the right advisors, recruiting the right team and sharing an engaging vision. She is also a seasoned line manager and mentor. Some examples of Emma’s experience are listed below:

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• Establishment of diverse, high-achieving, multi-disciplinary teams: Disease biology and drug discovery

  • Understanding the current and future business goals of the organization and the skills and infrastructure needed to achieve them. Providing proposals for board and internal leadership, including justification, budget, skills matrix and recruitment plan

  • Incorporation of skills ranging from Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, Immunohistochemistry and Diagnostics.

  • Incorporation of complex new infrastructure and facilities to support e.g.

    • Bioinformatics and bulk/single cell transcriptomics/genomics

    • Cell biology/flow cytometry;

    • Automated immunohistochemistry

    • Internal human tissue banking

  • Awareness of the diverse working cultures of different disciplines and understanding how communication, collaboration and alignment can be fostered within the team and across the company.

  • Establishing industrial processes where none or few exist and where the majority of staff are recently recruited from a predominantly academic background.

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• Research Governance: First hand responsibility for UK primary legislation and understanding of research governance processes

  • Experience holding formal responsibility in law for Human Tissue Act (HTA) compliance as the Designated Individual at Immunocore. Involved oversight of governance processes under the code of practice for research and completion of a successful external HTA inspection

  • Licensing for Class I Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and risk assessments

  • Research representative on Health and Safety Committees. Completion of COSSH, Risk Assessment and Protocols/SOPs for research processes

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• Line management and matrix team management: From start up, mid-size and pharma environments

  • Performance management, career development, mentoring and coaching

  • Change management for teams experiencing restructure or expansion

  • Articulating a compelling scientific vision to align teams behind corporate goals

  • Leading cross-disciplinary project teams to successful outcomes (e.g. phase transitions)