2026 Summer Internship Program: Structural Characterization Intern

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Job Description

The Analytical Development Synthetic Molecules Structural Characterization (ADSMUS-SC) team is responsible for providing an understanding of the structure of drug molecules and impurities, degradants and other components of interest that may be present during the preparation of drug substances and drug products.  The team utilizes advanced analytical technologies (NMR, MS, HPLC, etc) to determine the molecular structure of these compounds to assist in process optimization, method development, and regulatory filing.

The individual selected for this position will explore the use of miniaturized analytical instruments to assist in the characterization of a range of different types of molecules from the Takeda pipeline.  These include miniaturized LC and MS instruments, benchtop NMR, as well as their full-size counterparts.  The improvement to the environmental impact of these miniaturized instruments will also be assessed to gain an understanding of their impact on the company’s carbon footprint. 

How You Will Contribute:

As an Analytical Development Synthetic Molecules Structural Characterization Intern, you will have the opportunity to…

• Use cutting-edge LC-MS and NMR technology for structural characterization as well as process analytical technology for reaction monitoring.

  • Configure an interface between a miniature LC and an MS detector, including the fluidic transfer lines and control software. The interface should enable fluid transfer from the mini-LC to the MS for structural characterization and offline reaction monitoring and allow for trigger concurrent data acquisition.

  • Collaborate with process chemists to apply the mini-LC-MS system to reaction monitoring for the quantitation of byproducts/impurities in complex reaction mixtures, with UV and/or MS2 quantification.  Compare UV and MS based quantification with that provided by NMR.

  • Collaborate with process chemists to build a sampling system with commercially available components such as externally controlled valves. The sampling system should feed (in mL/min flow rate) the reaction mixture to the MS and/or NMR alone for online reaction monitoring.

  • Develop data processing tools to integrate the LC, MS, and NMR data into a single file and store to an appropriate database for future reference/recall.

Internship Development Opportunities:

• The intern will gain hands-on access to a modern Analytical Laboratory with cutting- edge instrumentation for structural characterization.

• The intern will gain experience working in a collaborative industrial analytical laboratory to solve challenging structural chemistry problems. 

• The intern will gain experience working in a fast-paced pharmaceutical environment and gain an understanding of the drug development process.

Job Requirements:

• This position will be Fully On-Site at the Cambridge, MA - Kendall Square location.

• The candidate must be currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

• Completion of coursework in Analytical Chemistry (with lab) and Organic Chemistry (with lab) or the equivalent are required. 

• Experience using advanced instrumentation (NMR, MS, LC, etc) for structural characterization is highly desired. 

• Experience with computer programming in a modern programming language is also highly desired. 

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Hourly Wage Range:

$21.00 - $46.00

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

Paid Intern (Fixed Term) (Trainee)

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

No

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