Takeda
Associate Director, Head of Cellular Lead Profiling
Takeda is a forward‑looking, world‑class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to bring life‑changing therapies to patients worldwide.
Overview As Head of Cellular Lead Profiling, you will play a critical leadership role in Takeda’s “Lab of the Future” initiative. You will own the strategy, design, and execution of cellular lead profiling assays on fully automated, robotic platforms, with a strong emphasis on assay miniaturization (down to 1,536‑well formats) and end‑to‑end digitalization. Partner closely with medicinal chemistry, DMPK, data science/AI, and automation engineering to ensure cellular testing becomes a fast, reliable, and insight‑rich engine for decision‑making across Takeda’s discovery portfolio.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision:
Define and execute the global strategy for biochemical lead profiling supporting Takeda’s DMTA cycle, aligned with the Lab of the Future roadmap.
Champion automation, robotics, and AI/ML to increase throughput, data quality, and decision speed across biochemical assays.
Establish a vision for fully integrated workflows from assay design through execution, data capture, analysis, and reporting.
Cellular Assay Development & Profiling:
Partner with Druggency science teams to design, develop, and validate robust cellular assays (e.g., High Content, reporter, CTG, GPCR) for primary, secondary, and mechanistic profiling.
Serve as leader of a core facility supporting all therapeutic areas for small and large‑molecule modalities, ensuring seamless operation and timely data delivery.
Drive assay miniaturization strategies (384‑well and 1,536‑well formats) without compromising data quality, sensitivity, or reproducibility.
Implement best practices for assay performance monitoring, QC, and continuous improvement (e.g., Z’ factor, signal‑to‑background, control strategies).
Leadership, Collaboration & People Development:
Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team of scientists and research associates specializing in cellular assay development, screening, and automation.
Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, operational excellence, and safety.
Represent lead profiling capabilities to internal stakeholders and external partners, influencing global standards and best practices across Takeda.
Act as a key liaison to DDU scientists and leadership, setting the example for cross‑functional collaboration and partnership.
Automation, Robotics & Lab Operations:
Oversee deployment and optimization of fully automated, robotic platforms for high‑throughput DMTA assays.
Partner with automation engineers to design scalable, modular workflows supporting rapid reconfiguration for new targets and assay types.
Ensure rigorous integration of instruments, LIMS/ELN systems, scheduling software, and data pipelines for true end‑to‑end automation.
AI‑Integrated DMTA & Data Excellence:
Collaborate with AI/ML, cheminformatics, and data engineering teams to make assay design and data outputs “AI‑ready” (standardized, curated, annotated).
Establish data standards and governance for cellular lead profiling to enable longitudinal data mining and cross‑program learning.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, or related field with 6+ years of industry/post‑doctoral experience; OR M.S. with 12+ years; OR B.S. with 14+ years in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D focused on cellular assay development and lead profiling.
Experience embedding AI/ML and advanced analytics into DMTA processes and decision‑making.
Hands‑on familiarity with scheduling software, LIMS/ELN, and data pipeline tools used in automated labs.
Experience in hit‑to‑lead and lead optimization support, interpreting cellular data in SAR and portfolio context.
Prior leadership in a “lab of the future,” high‑throughput screening, or fully integrated discovery platform environment.
Demonstrated ability to drive change and transformation in complex, global R&D organizations.
Strong leadership experience managing and developing scientific teams at senior scientist/principal scientist level.
Excellent cross‑functional collaboration skills with chemistry, DMPK/biology, data science, informatics, and automation engineering.
Clear, concise communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to influence at Executive Director and VP level.
Additional Information
Location: Cambridge, MA – hybrid role per Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.
Compensation and Benefits Summary Base Salary Range: $153,600 – $241,340 per year. U.S. employees may be eligible for short‑term and long‑term incentives, 401(k) plan with company match, medical/dental/vision insurance, disability and life coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well‑being benefits. U.S. employees may accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation and up to 80 hours of sick time per calendar year.
EEO Statement Takeda is proud of its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.
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Overview As Head of Cellular Lead Profiling, you will play a critical leadership role in Takeda’s “Lab of the Future” initiative. You will own the strategy, design, and execution of cellular lead profiling assays on fully automated, robotic platforms, with a strong emphasis on assay miniaturization (down to 1,536‑well formats) and end‑to‑end digitalization. Partner closely with medicinal chemistry, DMPK, data science/AI, and automation engineering to ensure cellular testing becomes a fast, reliable, and insight‑rich engine for decision‑making across Takeda’s discovery portfolio.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Vision:
Define and execute the global strategy for biochemical lead profiling supporting Takeda’s DMTA cycle, aligned with the Lab of the Future roadmap.
Champion automation, robotics, and AI/ML to increase throughput, data quality, and decision speed across biochemical assays.
Establish a vision for fully integrated workflows from assay design through execution, data capture, analysis, and reporting.
Cellular Assay Development & Profiling:
Partner with Druggency science teams to design, develop, and validate robust cellular assays (e.g., High Content, reporter, CTG, GPCR) for primary, secondary, and mechanistic profiling.
Serve as leader of a core facility supporting all therapeutic areas for small and large‑molecule modalities, ensuring seamless operation and timely data delivery.
Drive assay miniaturization strategies (384‑well and 1,536‑well formats) without compromising data quality, sensitivity, or reproducibility.
Implement best practices for assay performance monitoring, QC, and continuous improvement (e.g., Z’ factor, signal‑to‑background, control strategies).
Leadership, Collaboration & People Development:
Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team of scientists and research associates specializing in cellular assay development, screening, and automation.
Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, operational excellence, and safety.
Represent lead profiling capabilities to internal stakeholders and external partners, influencing global standards and best practices across Takeda.
Act as a key liaison to DDU scientists and leadership, setting the example for cross‑functional collaboration and partnership.
Automation, Robotics & Lab Operations:
Oversee deployment and optimization of fully automated, robotic platforms for high‑throughput DMTA assays.
Partner with automation engineers to design scalable, modular workflows supporting rapid reconfiguration for new targets and assay types.
Ensure rigorous integration of instruments, LIMS/ELN systems, scheduling software, and data pipelines for true end‑to‑end automation.
AI‑Integrated DMTA & Data Excellence:
Collaborate with AI/ML, cheminformatics, and data engineering teams to make assay design and data outputs “AI‑ready” (standardized, curated, annotated).
Establish data standards and governance for cellular lead profiling to enable longitudinal data mining and cross‑program learning.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, or related field with 6+ years of industry/post‑doctoral experience; OR M.S. with 12+ years; OR B.S. with 14+ years in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D focused on cellular assay development and lead profiling.
Experience embedding AI/ML and advanced analytics into DMTA processes and decision‑making.
Hands‑on familiarity with scheduling software, LIMS/ELN, and data pipeline tools used in automated labs.
Experience in hit‑to‑lead and lead optimization support, interpreting cellular data in SAR and portfolio context.
Prior leadership in a “lab of the future,” high‑throughput screening, or fully integrated discovery platform environment.
Demonstrated ability to drive change and transformation in complex, global R&D organizations.
Strong leadership experience managing and developing scientific teams at senior scientist/principal scientist level.
Excellent cross‑functional collaboration skills with chemistry, DMPK/biology, data science, informatics, and automation engineering.
Clear, concise communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to influence at Executive Director and VP level.
Additional Information
Location: Cambridge, MA – hybrid role per Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.
Compensation and Benefits Summary Base Salary Range: $153,600 – $241,340 per year. U.S. employees may be eligible for short‑term and long‑term incentives, 401(k) plan with company match, medical/dental/vision insurance, disability and life coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well‑being benefits. U.S. employees may accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation and up to 80 hours of sick time per calendar year.
EEO Statement Takeda is proud of its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.
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