Job Posting

Principal Scientist or Associate Scientist, Computational Sciences, 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 R0149369 Date posted 04/23/2025 Location Fujisawa, Kanagawa

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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 a Scientist/Senior Scientist, Computational Chemistry in Cambridge, MA, US or Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.
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.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of medicinal chemists, structural biologists, data scientists 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 an understanding of computational chemistry principles and their application within a multidisciplinary drug discovery environment.
Independently design, develop and execute research assignments, contributing to multiple projects.
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.

Requirements:

PhD degree in Chemistry or equivalent
Ideally 2+ years of experience in industry
Experience with a variety of computational tools and methodology including large-scale virtual screening, ligandability analyses, homology modeling, quantum mechanics, pharmacophore elucidation, machine learning and more against common drug discovery targets (GPCRs, Kinases etc.).
Comprehensive experience in data mining and data analysis.
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.
Contribute to the development and deployment of design and/or AI platforms to impact drug discovery.
Familiarity with standard computational chemistry software including Schrodinger Suites, KNIME, and more.
Proficiency in scientific scripting and programming languages including python.
Business level of Japanese and English language proficiency

Apply now and be part of our mission to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

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.

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.