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BBB Shuttles Biology Leader

Fujisawa, Kanagawa
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  • Job Type: Full Time
  • 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 R0155595 Date posted 06/18/2025 Location Fujisawa, Kanagawa

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Job Description

タケダの紹介

タケダでは常に患者さんを中心に考え、世界中の人々により健やかで輝かしい未来をお届けすることを目指してきました。そして従業員一人ひとりにそれぞれの能力と熱意に応じた成長の機会を提供することにも組んで取り組んでいます。私たちと一緒に、世界中の人々のいのちに貢献し、さらなる成長と活躍を目指しませんか。

タケダは業界を牽引するグローバルリーダーです。従業員は四つの優先順位(患者さん中心、社会との信頼関係構築、レピュテーションの向上、事業の発展)とタケダイズム(誠実=公正・正直・不屈)のもと一致団結しています。タケダイズムは私たちの信念であり正しい方向へ導く羅針盤です。私たちは日々の業務においてタケダイズムを体現しています。

Takeda is unwavering in our commitment to patients. With the patient at the center of everything we do, we continue to innovate and drive changes that will better their lives - we’re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is a global industry leader –we are united by our four priorities (Patients, Trust, Reputation, and Business) and our shared values of Takeda-ism: Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance. Takeda-ism is more than just a word. It’s a belief and a mindset which guides our decisions, behaviors, and interactions. It’s how we strive to work and live, every day.

Objective / Purpose:

  • Acts as the global research biology leader of the BBB shuttle group, which explores competitive shuttle technology. 
  • Develops industry-leading bioscience for drug discovery and development, maintains the reliability of biological data, and employs multi-disciplinary scientific rigor to leverage partnerships with specialized internal and external organizations to create innovative clinical development assets within the proposed timeframe. 
  • In addition to the role of biology lead for the BBB shuttle programs, oversees the biological aspects of the drug discovery process up to CS/IND not only for HD and FA but also for all programs in the NS DDU which require BBB shuttles, providing scientific suggestions to those members. 
  • Leads the biological aspects of BBB shuttle technology for the entire Breakthrough BBB and NS DDU to develop novel and competitive BBB shuttles in collaboration with internal partners. 
  • Leads the biological aspects of external partnerships and contributes to the development of strategies and proposals to create innovative clinical development assets within the proposed timeframe.
  • Oversees biosafety measures in laboratories for the entire Breakthrough BBB group. This includes reviewing necessary documents related to animal experiments under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, genetic recombination experiments, and clinical ethics/clinical specimen experiment plans. Regular education of researchers is also conducted to ensure compliance with laws and local regulations applicable to cell or animal experiment facilities.
  • Manages lab equipment and reagent inventory, which includes handling Fixed Property Tax, summarizing requests and budgets for Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) for the entire Breakthrough BBB group and Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit (NS DDU).

Accountabilities:

  • Leads the biology team of the BBB shuttle group as a biology lead, develops strategies in biology aligning with Breakthrough BBB and NS DDU strategies and goals, planning, executing, summarizing biology data, and providing timely outputs.
  • Joins the BBB shuttle working group as a core member and develops novel and competitive BBB shuttles in a timely manner through close communication with internal partners including global biologics, global chemistry, and PTS.
  • As a scientific expert on BBB shuttles, participates in discussions, and offers scientific suggestions for all programs in NS DDU to harness the best science for program progression and pipeline enhancement.
  • Recognized as a biology and laboratory expert and leader in neuroscience BBB shuttle technology, fostering a culture of innovation and scientific excellence within the Breakthrough BBB group.
  • Continuously evaluates and enhances the productivity and capabilities of the biology team through the adoption of innovative technologies and the latest scientific approaches.
  • Builds efficient working relationships with internal business partners, enabling BBB shuttle biology teams to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including global biologics, global chemistry, DMPK&M and DSRE.
  • Shares best practices in biology with other projects that require BBB shuttles in NS DDU, deploying enterprise thinking to maximize the success of research as a whole. 
  • Join committee of biosafety and bioethics and provides guidance and education to team members on biosafety in laboratory and maintains compliant legally and safe working environment.
  • Set up a cutting-edge experimental environment where research equipment and reagents can be efficiently used across projects and cross-functional teams and be involved in the operation to ensure their optimal utilization. 

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

  • Advanced degree in health or life sciences (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M.) with a minimum of 5 years of industry experience in the neuroscience field and pharmacology. Research experience of BBB shuttles technology is desirable. 
  • Specialized knowledge and experimental skills in drug discovery for CNS diseases with not only small molecule but also biologics and/or oligonucleotide therapeutics. 
  • Experience in leading biology teams, designing, and implementing biology experiments in CNS field with the ability to inspire and motivate teams toward achieving ambitious goals.
  • Have a flexible mindset in the drug discovery process. For example, can propose the creation or introduction of innovative ideas and technologies to advance projects.
  • Ability to build effective relationships with key stakeholders to advance programs to CS/IND. 
  • Excellent skills in gathering and summarizing external scientific information and making priorities aligned with NS DDU strategy. 
  • Excellent international communication skills and experience in negotiating with internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Experience in participating in contract creation and external partnership proposals together with internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Experience in managing lab facilities, equipment, and reagent inventory. 

タケダのDE&I

Click here to find out Takeda’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Better Health, Brighter Future

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

  • Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

  • It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

  • It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

JPN - Kanagawa - Fujisawa

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
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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.

Exterior of Takeda Building

About our location

Fujisawa, Kanagawa


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