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Scientific Director Rare Neurology

Boston, Massachusetts
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  • Job Level: Senior
  • Travel: Minimal (if any)

Takeda has been translating science into breakthrough medicines for 240 years. Every step of the way, our teams have worked together to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. Today, we’re a driving force behind innovative therapies that make a lasting difference to millions of patients around the world.

In R&D, all of our history and potential comes together in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and amplifies every voice. Working closely with colleagues, you’ll play a key role in bringing our rich pipeline of products forward to help patients. Come join a team that’s earned trust for more than two centuries, and find out how advancing transformative therapies at Takeda will shape your bright future.

Job ID R0136763 Date posted 10/15/2024 Location Boston, Massachusetts

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’sPrivacy Noticeand Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Scientific Director Rare Neurology in our Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Unit in our Cambridge, MA 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.

​POSITION OBJECTIVES:

  • The Scientific Director, Rare Neurology Unit ensures seamless integration of scientific strategy with clinical strategy for clinical trials in rare neurology disorders to ensure effective decision making. 
  • Provides scientific insight and expertise into Takeda’s internal drug development efforts as well as future business opportunities for rare neurology disorders.
  • Works closely with colleagues from Takeda’s Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Biomarker Sciences & Technologies, Clinical Imaging, Digital Health Sciences, Statistics, Computational Biology and Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology groups to ensure close alignment between scientific and clinical strategy.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for translational activities in rare neurology disorders
  • Represents Takeda in interactions with the external scientific community and consortia efforts
  • Contributes to Takeda’s strategy in rare neurology disorders as a key member of the Rare Neurology Disorders Unit.
  • Anticipates need for novel scientific methods, insights, and capabilities for future trials and communicates with relevant line functions to ensure clinical readiness for future trials to establish early proof of concept.
  • Contributes to the operational excellence of ongoing clinical trials.

​ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

  • Act as a key interface between NS Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) scientists and Therapeutic Area Unit (TAU) clinicians to ensure portfolio prioritization and seamless transition of programs between research and clinical development.
  • Engage early with NS discovery and preclinical sciences to design an overall program translational strategy and develop biomarkers to support the discovery stage projects and biomarker development.  
  • Lead clinical facing activities for projects as they progress from Candidate nomination to the clinic, including  leadership for pipeline progression decisions and governance.
  • Serves as the translational expert on Global Program Teams, Global Clinical Teams, and Preclinical Project Teams.
  • Leads translational and biomarker activities sub-teams for Takeda Neuroscience Programs.
  • Knowledge of rare neurological, neuromuscular, and/or Huntington’s  disease, including up to date knowledge of pathophysiology and key drug targets in the field.
  • Knowledge of biomarkers and endpoints for rare neurological disorders, including their current use in clinical trials and their quantitative interpretation.
  • Previous experience supporting clinical trials in academia or industry is highly desirable.

​ ​EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

  • ​PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent in neuroscience, with at least 3 years of academic or industry experience in neuroscience.
  • Scientific Director: At least 6 years of relevant post-doctoral experience in academia, or in industry.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to think critically and strategically.
  • Ability to promote a shared understanding of complex scientific topics in teams composed of individuals with very different technical backgrounds.
  • Ability to summarize complex topics succinctly and simply for non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to work closely with others in a respectful and supportive fashion.
  • Rigorous record of scientific publications. 
  • Distinctive ability to engage in discourse on innovative drug discovery from early preclinical through to clinical development.

​TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • ​Ability to drive to or fly to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required.
  • ​Requires approximately –10 - 20% travel.

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

Empowering Our People to Shine

Discover more at takedajobs.com

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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:

169,400.00 - 266,200.00

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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During my 20-year journey here, I’ve been fully supported by my colleagues, and I can’t say enough about our rich internal talent and the long-standing values that drive our decisions as we work to develop important medicines for the patients we serve.

Doug Coffman - Head, R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office, R&D Regional & Business Operations

When making any type of decision, the first thing we ask is 'how will this impact patients?’ Ultimately, we’re laser focused on the best interests of the patient, and I truly believe we follow through on that.

Meredith Culp - VP, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Strategy & Operations and Head of Global Development Integration Office

Our culture and shared values make us like a family here at Takeda. It doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love with people you love, and when your outcome is really fantastic.

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

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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.

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About our location

Boston, Massachusetts


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