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Associate Scientist Analytical Development - Early Development

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

Takeda has been translating science into breakthrough medicines for 240 years. Every step of the way, our teams have worked together to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. Today, we’re a driving force behind innovative therapies that make a lasting difference to millions of patients around the world.

In R&D, all of our history and potential comes together in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and amplifies every voice. Working closely with colleagues, you’ll play a key role in bringing our rich pipeline of products forward to help patients. Come join a team that’s earned trust for more than two centuries, and find out how advancing transformative therapies at Takeda will shape your bright future.

Job ID R0157007 Date posted 07/21/2025 Location Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Job Description

As an Associate Scientist working in the Analytical Development Early Development team, you will be empowered to lead technical activities and represent Analytical Development Early Development within departmental and cross-functional team.

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

  • Support the transition of novel compounds (synthetic molecules, Oligonucleotide, Protacs) from Discovery into Development, primarily physicochemical profiling, pre-clinical formulation research and biopharmaceutics.  The role will also involve continued research efforts throughout the developmental lifecycle of compounds across a wide range of activities. 
  • Interaction with Discovery Teams, Drug Safety , DMPK and close collaboration with Process Chemistry, Formulation development and Analytical Development to achieve project goals. 
  • A strong focus will be on salt/polymorph screening, solid state analytics and support of preformulation/physicochemical profiling activities

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Independently design, plan and execute studies on new development candidates to elucidate fundamental physicochemical properties and behaviors that enable lead candidate selection and downstream CMC development.
  • Contributes to and drives solid state screening activities
  • Contribute to preformulation activities, physicochemical profiling and analytical method development
  • Contributes to a cross-functional Pharmaceutical Sciences team responsible for overseeing API salt and polymorph selection and subsequent development activities
  • Develops non-GLP and GLP formulations based on the physical chemical properties of molecules and their route of delivery to support pre-clinical studies.
  • Conducts biorelevant in vitro studies to assess potential in-vivo performance/impact of API and drug product changes during development lifecycle
  • Responsible for significant technical leadership within a project and assist in project strategy development across projects within the department or cross functionally
  • Interfaces with individual Pharmaceutical Science colleagues and cross functional project teams to ensure that development activities are consistent with physicochemical properties of API
  • May serve as a technical expert/SME for mentoring of junior team members
  • Responsible for integrating scientific/technical efforts around cross functional issues
  • Plans and implements resolutions to technical problems/issues
  • Supports local initiatives which may include technical or process related work streams
  • Authoring of technical reports and contributes to regulatory filings 

Education and Experience:

Required: 

  • Bachelors degree in Pharmaceutics, physical organic chemistry, pharmacy, or related pharmaceutical science with 5+ years of relevant industry experience 
  • Masters degree in Pharmaceutics, physical organic chemistry, pharmacy, or related pharmaceutical science with 3+ years of relevant industry experience 

Knowledge and Skills:

  • Strong understanding of polymorphism and solid state screening techniques
  • Strong understanding of solid state analytical techniques (XRPD/DSC/TGA/DVS)
  • Skills in development of early formulations and basic analytical method development (HPLC, GC)
  • Analytical and Problem Solving Skills - Able to troubleshoot critical issues or problems, and determine causes and identify/implement possible solutions 
  • Teamwork -- Ability to work well in highly cross functional team environment
  • Communication Skills -Able to expresses one’s self clearly and concisely within teams; documents issues and/or concerns concisely with colleagues; timely and effective communication of issues to supervisor; technical writing skills to support authorship of internal technical documents
  • Organization – Exercises good time management and prioritization skills and is able to successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously 
  • Knowledge Sharing - Ability to capture organizational knowledge; improve solutions, processes, and deliverables through use of information
  • Resource Management -Ability to manage one’s time within individual, departmental, and corporate goals and timelines; management of internal and external resources (vendors)
  • Technical - strong knowledge of physicochemical and preclinical formulation theory along with hands on experience in multiple analytical techniques (DSC, TGA, HPLC, XRPD, Raman, PAT tools etc) and proven ability to work in a lab setting. Working knowledge of modalities outside of traditional small molecule (Oligonucleotides, Protacs) and in silico predictive tools/modeling highly valued

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • May require approximately 5-10% travel.

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:

Cambridge, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$99,500.00 - $156,420.00

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

Cambridge, 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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Doug Coffman - Head, R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office, R&D Regional & Business Operations

When making any type of decision, the first thing we ask is 'how will this impact patients?’ Ultimately, we’re laser focused on the best interests of the patient, and I truly believe we follow through on that.

Meredith Culp - VP, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Strategy & Operations and Head of Global Development Integration Office

Our culture and shared values make us like a family here at Takeda. It doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love with people you love, and when your outcome is really fantastic.

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

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