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Head of Research, Drug Discovery, Lab Automation and Transformation

Boston, Massachusetts
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  • Job Level: Senior
  • Travel: Minimal (if any)

At Takeda, we strive to provide transformational opportunities for every member of our team, and we empower our people to take charge of their futures. In an environment that fosters lifelong learning and a growth mindset, you’ll have the support you need to thrive — at work and beyond.

Job ID R0158650 Date posted 07/18/2025 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

At Takeda, we are 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.

About the Role:

Takeda is seeking a visionary leader to drive our transformation towards the Drug Discovery Lab of the Future. In this role, you will design and implement a forward-thinking research strategy that integrates automation, digitalization, and advanced AI-driven closed-loop systems. You will articulate the roadmap for a cutting-edge, fully automated research environment and lead cross-functional engineering teams to deliver breakthrough innovations across discovery and development.

You will be responsible for building strategic partnerships, identifying new technologies and talents, and ensuring that our research labs operate at highest quality and efficiency with rigor and continuous improvement. The role demands a blend of deep technical acumen, strategic insights, and a proven record of leading large-scale organizational change in lab automation and transformation.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Research Strategy for the Lab of the Future

  • Collaborate with Takeda’s Research Leadership Team (RLT) to shape and implement a comprehensive strategy to transform traditional research labs into automated, digitally enabled facilities
  • Define and scale throughput of new discovery programs, ensuring efficient program execution and high-quality outcomes

Automation and Transformation

  • Design and own the roadmap for automation of research processes, including the end-to-end (e2e) development of new workflows and deployment of AI in a closed-loop system
  • Identify emerging technologies and new talent to drive advancements in lab automation
  • Lead the transformation program establishing Labs of the Future for Drug Discovery at Takeda, ensuring continuous innovation and scalability in research operations
  • Work closely with R&D leadership to ensure timely, measurable progress of the transformation program and strategic alignment with broader research objectives

Partnerships and Collaboration

  • Oversee strategic partnerships for lab automation with external innovators, academic centers, and technology providers
  • Act as the interface for other Takeda Lab Of The Future and Digital initiatives (e.g., working closely with R&D DD&T and Pharm Sci), ensuring alignment across projects and stakeholders


Qualifications:

  • A minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership in pharmaceutical R&D, with demonstrated expertise in lab automation, digital strategy, and large-scale transformation initiatives
  • Proven experience in designing and implementing research strategies that integrate automation and digitalization, including advanced AI/ML applications in research workflows
  • Demonstrated capability in building and leading cross-functional engineering teams focused on operational excellence in automated labs
  • Strong track record of establishing and managing strategic partnerships with innovative partners and vendors
  • Expertise in developing robust transformation roadmaps, ensuring project execution aligns with business and scientific priorities
  • Advanced degree (Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or technical discipline is required
  • Exceptional communication, strategic planning, and organizational change management skills with an executive presence


Why Join Us?

  • Drive the future of drug discovery by building the Lab of the Future – an environment that seamlessly integrates digital innovation, automation, and advanced AI
  • Lead an ambitious transformation initiative that directly impacts global research and development
  • Collaborate with industry-leading scientists, engineers, and technology experts to redefine research methodologies and outcomes on a global scale

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The position will be based in Cambridge, MA.This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$208,200.00 - $327,140.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-termincentives. U.S.based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S.based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in 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.

Locations

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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Where you fit in

Our team at Takeda is tackling some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. As the newest member of our Research team, you’ll conduct purposeful, meaningful work on groundbreaking modalities that may lead to breakthrough drugs.

With our deep investment in next-generation technologies, you’ll have the resources and support to do your best work. As a part of our team, you’ll connect with brilliant minds inside and outside of Takeda. We are committed to collaborating with academia and emerging biotech companies to expand our reach and impact in cell therapy, gene therapy and data sciences.

Our team’s wide-ranging expertise includes medicinal chemistry, genomics datasets, immunofluorescence, high content imaging, flow cytometry, transcriptional profiling, multi-step synthesis, multimodal genetics, pharmacokinetics and much more. Whatever area inspires you, your work will support the progression of an innovative, industry-leading discovery pipeline and make an impact that matters to patients and society.

A career in Research at Takeda will give you everything you need to succeed professionally — and make a difference to patients, people and the planet.

  • Design and carry out experiments

  • Manage multiple projects

  • Document data

  • Mentor other scientists

Along with incredibly passionate colleagues, there’s a clear commitment to invest in the best facilities and the right equipment needed to successfully perform world-class science.

Christina Alves - Head of Biotherapeutics Process Development

Our pipeline

Our internal research capabilities and external partnerships contribute to an R&D engine that has produced exciting new molecular entities (NMEs) across our core Therapeutic Areas. Check out our pipeline and see how we’ll continue delivering a steady stream of next-generation therapies.

Learn more

What we believe in

Our values of Takeda-ism are Integrity, Fairness, Honesty and Perseverance, with Integrity as the core. These are brought to life through actions based on Patient, Trust, Reputation and Business, in that order.

Our belief in putting people first extends beyond our patients — it includes their families and communities, as well as our Takeda colleagues and their families.

We are committed to embracing our differences, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and empowerment.

Our embedded Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy enables us to attract and retain exceptional talent, drives innovation, and helps address systemic inequalities in our communities.

  • Integrity

  • Fairness

  • Honesty

  • Perseverance

Working at Takeda

  • Inclusion

    Here, you will feel welcomed, respected, and valued as a vital contributor to our global team.

  • Collaboration

    A strong, borderless team, we strive together towards our priorities and inspiring mission.

  • Innovation

    Bold initiatives, continuous improvement, and creativity are at the heart of how we bring scientific breakthroughs from the lab to patients.

  • Top Workplace

    Recognized for our culture and way of working, we’re one of only 17 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2024.

  • Work-Life

    Our people-first mission extends beyond patients to include their families, communities, and our own Takeda family.

  • Empowerment

    Through trust and respect, you will have genuine support from leaders, managers, and colleagues to do your best work.

We're Steadfast In Our Commitment to Four Key Imperatives

Patient


Responsibly translate science into highly innovative medicines and accelerate access to improve lives worldwide.

People


Create an exceptional people experience.

Planet


Protect our planet.

Data & Digital


Transform Takeda into the most trusted, data-driven, outcomes-based biopharmaceutical company.

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