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Associate Director, Computational Chemistry, Research

Fujisawa, Kanagawa
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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 R0171266 Date posted 01/06/2026 Location Fujisawa, Kanagawa

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

  • Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of computational chemists, medicinal chemists, structural biologists, data scientists, pharmacologists and biologists and provide computational expertise to advance drug discovery projects.
  • Contribute to drug discovery efforts across various modalities including small molecules, PROTACs, RNA inhibitors, peptides, and more.
  • Implement and execute innovative computational methodologies and tools such as AI, free energy, and cheminformatics approaches to support drug discovery efforts.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Demonstrate expert understanding of computational chemistry principles and their application within a multidisciplinary drug discovery environment.
  • Build and develop a strong team of Computational Chemists to high productivity levels.
  • Identify, develop, validate, and implement innovative computational approaches that enhance research productivity and success.
  • Provide key technical knowledge and input to project teams to drive decision-making in drug discovery projects.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

  • Expertise in a variety of computational tools and methodology including generative chemistry, large-scale virtual screening, molecular dynamics, homology modeling, quantum mechanics, pharmacophore elucidation, data mining, machine learning, cheminformatics and more.
  • Significant industry experiences contributing as a computational chemist on drug discovery projects against several therapeutic arias and a variety of drug discovery targets (GPCRs, Kinases, Ion channel etc.).
  • Strong impact in progressing discovery projects from hits to clinical leads
  • Familiarity with organic and synthetic chemistry concepts.
  • Provide project teams with computational strategies to inform, influence, and prioritize designs for potency/selectivity and improve ADME/Tox endpoints.
  • Ability to effectively integrate emerging generative chemistry methods and other modern machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in small molecule drug discovery.
  • Proficiency with state-of-the-art Computational Chemistry software.

Leadership

  • Identifies, plans and executes novel scientific projects and lead platform initiatives.
  • Enables information sharing, helps groups to understand each other and brings them together.
  • Accurately identifies strengths and development needs in others and invests time to help enhance their skills.

Interaction

  • Conducts scientific presentations to internal and external audiences
  • Collaborate with cross functional scientists and across geographic areas.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

  • PhD degree in Chemistry or equivalent
  • Expected: Ideally, 7+ years of experience in industry (pharma/biotech) drug discovery experience.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

  • Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

  • It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

  • It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

Fujisawa, Japan

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.

We are committed to collaborating with academia and emerging biotech companies to expand our reach and impact in Oncology, Neuroscience, Gastrointestinal and Inflammation, Rare Diseases, and Data Sciences.

  • 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.
  • Great Place to Work

    Recognized for our culture and ways of working, we’re proud to be Certified as a Great Place to Work® in 25 countries and regions.
  • 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

Fujisawa, Kanagawa


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