Associate Scientific Director, Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Cell Therapy

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as an Associate Scientific Director, Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Cell Therapy in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

The vision of Takeda is to build a world-class Cell Therapy team and deliver allogeneic innate cell therapy products to bring hope to both hematological and solid tumor patients. Oncology Drug Discovery Unity, Cell Therapy is missioned to develop innovate innate cell platform and novel engineering approaches to drive discovery pipeline for Takeda Cell Therapy.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

This position seeks an experienced and highly motivated scientist with a solid background in cell therapy, preferably with expertise in innate cell biology, immunology, or immuno-oncology. The scientist will join the Cell Therapy team within the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing, leading, and optimizing novel innate cell therapy approaches. These approaches aim to enhance biological functions such as persistence and potency, prevent allo-rejection, resist suppressive pathways, and broaden the platform’s application across various tumor indications. This work relies on a comprehensive understanding of innate cell biology, including immune cell activation, survival, proliferation, and function, as well as cancer/immune biology within the tumor microenvironment. As an Associate Scientific Director, the candidate will lead discovery projects and collaborate with colleagues across departments in cross-functional teams to drive program development. Additionally, the candidate will lead a team of direct reports focused on discovery efforts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Designs and directs research strategy and activities to meet program objectives; provide leadership, timelines and contingency
• Establishes project direction integrating science, key technical knowledge, and program objectives
• Collaborates with other departments, and disciplines, acting as scientific authority within discipline
• Serves as senior company/project representative at external conferences, or business meetings
• Plays an active role in the evaluation of potential drug candidates for in-licensing
• Determines methods on new assignments; makes strategic recommendations on projects; greater demonstrated independence; manages junior staff
• Demonstrates well-developed knowledge of other disciplines/departments and how they function together
• Demonstrates either or both exceptional project management skills, and broad recognition for in-depth expertise in discipline
• Contributes to the preparation/editing/review of documents for regulatory submission (i.e., study reports, IB’s, IND’s)
• Proposes novel projects based on internal results, external partners, and published reports and demonstrates leadership through effective communication of study plans/value, and research results
• Prepares and presents comprehensive technical or project reports and formal presentations/posters to full range of internal/external audiences
• Ability to work independently and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment
• Maintains laboratory notebooks and follows laboratory practices in compliance
• Other job duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEGE AND SKILLS:

• Ph.D. degree in Immunology, Biology, Biological/Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 6+ years of relevant industry/academic experience post-graduation or MS with 12+ years of experience, or BS with 14+ years of experience.

• Hands on experience with CAR-T, CAR-NK, CAR-γδT, TCR-T cell therapies / immunotherapies, including cell culture, immune cell activation/expansion, viral transduction for various types of immune cells.
• Profound skills in in vitro and in vivo immune cell characterization and function assessment, such as, multi-color flow immunophenotype, multiplex cytokine measurement, cytotoxicity assay, and other molecular based assays.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, detail-oriented organization skills, and team collaboration skills.
• Track record of publications to demonstrate scientific establishment.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• May require approximately up to 0-5% travel.

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

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy. 

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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

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.