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Associate Director Research, In Vitro Antibody Discovery

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 R0125744 Date posted 06/27/2024 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

About the role:

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 four therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

Join Takeda as an Associate Director where you will have extensive expertise and a comprehensive understanding of antibody discovery, optimization through in vitro based methodologies and advancing programs from discovery towards IND. Together with technical proficiency, strong leadership skills and a collaborative, motivational approach are essential for effective team management. You will also have proficiency in antibody yeast display methods, along with a keen attention to technical detail and excellent knowledge, hands-on experience of phage methods is a bonus. Integration of NGS/functional based datasets to appropriately mine and improve molecules, together with pro-activity in lead optimization approaches for best therapeutic needs is a must. Experience with monospecific/mAbs, bispecifics and single domain antibodies is required. As part of the Biotherapeutic Engineering team, you will report to the Senior Director of the team and be an organizational leader who has accountability for the performance and results of a small team of scientists with an enterprise mindset needed to effectively allocate resource to high priority programs, and collaborating matrix teams to best enable programs. You will recognize, and streamline for the most efficient ways of working is a high priority in this role, which requires tremendous drive, motivation to deliver (and beat) team and program goals, while also pushing the boundaries to enhance discovery and optimization. Working and networking excellently within the team is critical for best performance and team engagement.

How you will contribute:

  • Scientific Leader:
    • Set high standards for effectiveness of execution, and rigor of thought. Possessing in-depth knowledge of antibody-based discovery, optimization/ engineering using yeast/phage in vitro based discovery methods.
    • Draw on expertise from in vitro based discovery platforms to provide thoughtful and innovative guidance on strategies towards candidate profiles for differing target types, optimization / engineering approaches to enhance properties to progress from lead to candidate.
    • Experience in appropriately mining and triaging of antibody repertoires to progress viable therapeutic molecules. Appropriate incorporation of NGS based sequence analysis for both repertoires and clonal populations, while driven by functional readouts.
    • Highly innovative but focused mindset, to identify and drive efficient paths for workflow progression.
    • Set excellent strategy within the sub-team and foster innovation.
    • Contribute to continual deepening of the expertise through external network development.
  • People Leader:
    • Organizational leader who has accountability for the performance and results of a small team. Empowerment, but strong mentoring of that team in their mission to generate therapeutic biologics.
    • Use enterprise mindset with a broad view across the portfolio that informs resourcing and prioritization of programs under direct remit, while responsible for working within the matrix team to best resource programs and drive forward in and efficient manner.
    • Develop the next generation of scientists and leaders, acting as a champion of new opportunities. Team-centric mindset, inspiring and growing team members, while serving as a role model and mentor across the entire group.
    • Lead team through in-lab presence, designing and efficiently executing discovery /optimization campaigns including affinity maturation, developability; technology development
  • Program Involvement:
    • Ambassador for the biologics department, scientifically inputting to project teams, helping set standards for excellent and focused triage of molecules.
    • Exceptionally collaborative mindset with interact with internal /external groups for high efficiency and transparency to enable swift progression of molecules.
  • Other:
    • Excellent knowledge of data analysis tools to ensure thorough evaluation of datasets and information based next step decisions.
    • High level of diligence in all data tracking, uploading, and recording using data management systems within the department.
    • Key involvement and due diligence for external interactions, collaborations and workflows where appropriate.
    • Contribution to the preparation of patents, documentation for IND, and publications.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

  • PhD degree in a scientific discipline with 7+ years experience , or MS with 13+ years experience, or BS with 15+ years experience 5 years of Industry experience required.
  • 5 years of managerial experience required.
  • Keeps up with the up-to-date scientific advancement (e.g. competitive landscape, new technology, new research portfolio, and new partnership)

More about us:

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.

Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

#LI-SGM

#LI-Onsite

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:

149,100.00 - 234,300.00

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
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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

Boston, Massachusetts


View Map of Boston, Massachusetts

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