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Principal Scientist / Associate Director -- Immunology, Genetic Engineering, Oncology Cell Therapy Innovation

Boston, Massachusetts
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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 R0099928 Date posted 09/01/2023 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.

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

The Oncology Cell therapy Innovation team is seeking experienced molecular biologist who has a background in cancer immunology, genetic engineering especially non-viral mediated gene editing. 

As a senior member of the team, you will play an important role in optimizing cell therapy platforms, e.g., CAR-NK, CAR-γδT, to improve the biological function (potency and persistence) of cell therapy products, based on solid understanding of innate cell biology, cancer/immune biology in tumor microenvironment and genetic engineering. You will lead discovery projects and collaborate with colleagues within department and cross-function teams to drive the development of Cell Therapy discovery platforms.

How you will contribute:

  • Contribute to discovery projects by independently designing and developing well-defined mechanistic experiments and projects within oncology cell therapy research.

  • Lead from the lab to advance novel and differentiated cell therapy products toward clinical milestones, by working collaboratively with internal cross-functional teams and external partners.

  • Design, execute, and interpret functional in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo assays to understand the mechanism-of-action and play an active role in subsequent scientific discussions to drive decisions.

  • Propose novel projects based on internal results, external partners, and published reports and demonstrate leadership through communication of study plans/value, and research results

  • Skill and breadth of knowledge in a scientific field

  • Stay current with scientific development (e.g. competitive landscape, new technology, new research portfolio, and new partnership)

  • Scientific leadership and establish rigorous standards for execution effectiveness

  • Have managerial responsibility

  • Independently control workload and demands

  • Scientifically independent

  • Scientific driver for research strategy that impacts group internally and outside area of function

  • Initiate and lead external interactions and collaborations

  • Frequent contact with internal and external personnel at multiple management levels

  • Elect approaches for new tasks and provide strategic project recommendations

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Genetic Engineering, or related discipline.

  • Minimum of 6+ years relevant pharmaceutical industry/academic experience post-graduation

  • Hands on experience with CRISPR-, transposon-mediated genome engineering in multiple cell types.

  • Independently design sgRNAs, constructs for KO and KI through non-viral (plasmid, self-replicating vectors, EP, LNP) methods.

  • Profound skills in analytical methods such as flow cytometry, ddPCR, real-time PCR, off-targets evaluation, NGS etc.

  • Previous experience with CAR-T, CAR-NK, CAR-γδT, TCR-T cell immunotherapies, including cell culture, immune cell activation/expansion, viral transduction in vitro and in vivo immune cell characterization and function assessment, such as, multi-color flow immunophenotype, multiplex cytokine measurement, cytotoxicity assay is a plus

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, detail-oriented organization skills, and team collaboration skills.

  • Track record of publications to demonstrate scientific establishment.

What Takeda can offer you:

  • Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, Dental, and Vision

  • Financial Planning & Stability: 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan

  • Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings

  • Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days

  • Community Outreach Programs and company match of charitable contributions

  • Family Planning Support

  • Flexible Ways of Working

  • Tuition reimbursement

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.

In accordance with the CO Equal Pay Act, Colorado Applicants Are Not Permitted to Apply.

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
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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

I feel especially lucky to be able to work with colleagues across the industry to meet a unified goal.Takeda is paving the way for how research will be conducted in the future.

Daniel Scheibe - Senior Manager Operations, Systems Engineering, Drug Discovery Sciences

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 15 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2023.
  • 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


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