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Principal Scientist API MST

Zurich, Canton of Zurich
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On the Global Manufacturing and Supply (GMS) team at Takeda, you’ll be part of a rapidly transforming industry that’s applying technology and data in new ways. Within our agile, innovative, people-centric organization, your work will matter every day as you use your skills to help us manufacture therapies for patients on our four platforms:

  • Small Molecules
  • Biologics
  • Plasma
  • Cell and Gene

As part of the GMS team, you'll have the opportunity to pursue unique experiences and build new skills, and you'll know that the work you do every day makes an impact — on our patients, our people, our planet, and on yourself.

Job ID R0159168 Date posted 07/30/2025 Location Zurich, Canton of Zurich

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Job Description

About the role:

As a Principal Scientist, you will be the primary technical point of contact for the API MST with external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). You will provide scientific and technical expertise for all drug substance-related activities, ensuring that new and existing drug substance technology and related processes, procedures and specifications are transferred to our CMOs in a manner compliant with all regulatory and quality standards and to support cost-effective technical processes suitable for robust commercial production.

How you will contribute:

  • Process Design, Development and Optimization.

  • Technology Transfer.

  • Process Validation and CPV.

  • Continuous improvement.

  • Change Management.

  • Technical support and oversight of commercial API manufacturing.

  • Partner with Pharmaceutical Sciences (PS) and Global Manufacturing Sciences (GMSci) in late-stage process development with technology selection, process design and optimization.

  • Design, develop and optimize API manufacturing processes using robust DoE and QbD principles.

  • Implement right first time (RFT) Technology Transfers and manage commercial API manufacturing to meet business needs ensuring timing, quantity, quality, costs and regulatory requirements.

  • Define and implement process, equipment and scale related critical process parameters.  Assess the risk levels for scale up and equipment changes to enable supply chain flexibility.

  • Author, review and approve relevant technical documentation, protocols, reports and regulatory submissions including Process risk and safety Assessment, Technology transfer plan, Validation master plan etc.

  • Assure CMOs can pass regulatory inspections by the FDA and other government regulatory agencies.  Support regulatory inspections and audits. 

  • Author and review regulatory documents for technical consistency and compliance for NDA and DMF. Provide responses to technical queries from the agencies.

  • Lead, prioritize and drive deviation investigations and RCAs using standardized approaches. Ensure the necessary CAPAs are implemented at the CMOs.  Raise and manage change controls.

  • Develop and maintain technical product knowledge database and technical documents for assigned APIs.  Dissect and interpret data from various sources, using the information to create scientific reports. 

  • Stay abreast of the relevant cGMP, ICH and global Regulatory CMC guidance documents.

  • Communicate successfully to present complex scientific information and develop credible relationships with a broad spectrum of people, including CMO’s and Colleagues.

  • Interact internally in person or remotely with individuals from Product Strategy, Quality, Compliance, External Supply Management, PS, GMSci, Regulatory Affairs and SMO OpU.

  • Interact externally in person or remotely with key Suppliers and CMOs.

What you bring to Takeda:

  • PhD in Organic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with 8+ years or MS with 12+ years or BS with 16 years industrial experience.

  • Hands-on experience in API process development, scale up, optimization and validation. 

  • Direct experience in technology transfer and in supporting API manufacturing. Proven record for commercial process problem solving. 

  • Strong knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and modern analytical methods.

  • Knowledge of QbD, DoE, PAT and risk assessment.

  • Strong knowledge of cGMP/GLP regulations, ICH and FDA CMC Guidance Documents.  Knowledge of DEA Regulations is preferred.

  • Up to 20% domestic and international travel required.

Desired

  • Project Management Experience.

  • Six Sigma Certification.

Locations

Zurich, Switzerland

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
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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.

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

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About our location

Zurich, Canton of Zurich


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