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Associate Director, Genomics, BST

Cambridge, 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 R0142378 Date posted 01/14/2025 Location Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

  • The Bioanalytical and Biomarker Sciences and Technologies (BST) department at Takeda is seeking a strong scientific leader to join the group as a biomarker development expert to support genomics-based biomarker assays/technologies to support the clinical development of novel therapeutics across a range of disease areas including oncology, immunology, gastrointestinal, neuroscience. 
  • The incumbent will develop and drive genomic biomarker strategies for preclinical and clinical programs through cross-functional collaboration. The candidate may also serve as a BST Lead for programs, leading execution of BST deliverables across a program and interfacing with cross-functional teams.
  •  The person in this role will oversee the implementation of genomics-based biomarker assays/technologies to support the clinical development of novel therapeutics. The candidate will support context of use-based biomarker development, fit-for-purpose assay validation, clinical feasibility assessments, and implementation strategies to deliver key assays and data to clinical trials to facilitate decision-making across the portfolio.
  • The candidate will support an innovative, industry-leading genomics function responsible for establishing and piloting innovative genomics technologies working with high-quality external genomics partners.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • The candidate will develop and drive genomic biomarker strategies for preclinical and clinical programs, and oversee assay development, fit-for-purpose validation/qualification, tech transfer, implementation, data delivery, and support contextual data interpretation from innovative and standard genomics assays (NGS, PCR, ddPCR, RNASeq, Nanostring, single cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics and other genomic-based assays).
  • The candidate will evaluate, select, and oversee high-quality external genomic labs to ensure the successful design and execution of clinical assays, including validation, longitudinal performance, and data quality.
  • The candidate will oversee assays run under regulated approaches (GLP, GCP, GCLP, CAP/CLIA) and QC data to support primary, secondary, and exploratory clinical trial endpoints. The person in the role will support clinical and translational sub-teams overseeing the end-to-end workflows from sample collection, processing, and analysis through data generation and delivery.  
  • The candidate will provide input into applicable sections of clinical documents including study protocols, regulatory documents and communications (INDs, NDAs, BLAs, PMAs, etc.), Briefing Book (BB), Investigatory Brochure (IB), Clinical Study Reports (CSR), SMP, ICF, DTA, lab manual, etc.
  • They will collaborate with translational, computational, and other applicable scientists to design experiments that leverage genomics data and to interpret data in context with other clinical data supporting clinical drug development.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

  • Deep understanding of genomics-based biomarker development with 8+ years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment,
  • Strong scientific background and experience with assay development and validation across technology platforms in genomics, especially those that are employed in clinical trials (e.g. NGS, WES, WGS, RNASeq, PCR, ddPCR and Nanostring).
  • Experience with outsourcing and working with external partners to develop/transfer assays, oversee data generation/analysis and delivery of high-quality data from global clinical trials under regulated settings (GLP, GCP, GCLP and CAP/CLIA etc.).
  • Experience within GI, immunology, neurology, and/or oncology therapeutic areas, and experience supporting novel modalities.

Leadership

  • The incumbent will Serve as a subject matter expert on BST teams, driving scientific excellence and strategic operations.

Decision-making and Autonomy

  • Independently manage workload and expectations.
  • Act as a scientific driver for research strategy impacting the group and beyond.

Interaction

  • Initiate and lead external interactions and collaborations.
  • Maintain frequent contact with internal and external personnel at various management levels.

Innovation

  • Make strategic recommendations for relevant biomarker technologies and outputs.

Complexity

  • Work effectively in a highly-matrixed environment, navigating complex organizational structures.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

  • PhD in a scientific discipline with 6+ years of experience, or MS with 12+ years of experience, or BS with 14+ years of experience.
  • Extensive drug development experience, preferably in a relevant therapeutic area.
  • Strong scientific background in genomics technologies, biomarker development, and regulatory guidelines.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence and inspire within complex, matrixed environments.
  • Enterprise mindset with strong cross-functional partnership capabilities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • This position is hybrid as per Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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:

Cambridge, 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

Cambridge, 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

Cambridge, Massachusetts


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