Takeda · 1 month ago
Research Scientific Director, Large Molecule AI Development
Boston, MA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$174K/yr - $274K/yr
10+ years expTakeda is a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. They are seeking a strategic, visionary Research Scientific Director to lead AI/ML-enabled biologics discovery, focusing on accelerating and de-risking large-molecule pipeline projects while building core platform capabilities. The role involves setting strategy, building partnerships, and delivering impactful AI/ML tools for biologics development.
BiotechnologyHealth CareManufacturingMedicalPharmaceutical
Responsibilities
Drive the AI/ML strategy for antibody and other large-molecule discovery programs from target assessment through lead optimization
Ensure AI/ML activities are aligned with program and portfolio goals, with clear milestones, timelines, and success criteria
Deliver production-grade decision tools (for example, variant ranking, developability risk flagging, zero-shot design) that are seamlessly integrated into discovery workflows
Act as a hands-on technical leader across multiple programs:
Define modeling strategies and architectures
Prioritize methods and experiments
Review and challenge scientific output for quality and robustness
Partner with Discovery Platform Heads and project leaders to embed AI/ML milestones into program plans, stage-gates, and decision forums (discovery, engineering, mult-specifics)
Define and own a multi-year platform roadmap for large-molecule AI/ML capabilities, including models, tools, data assets, and infrastructure
Lead the development and deployment of foundational models for antibody and protein sequence, structure, and function prediction
Drive integration of physics-based methods (for example, MD, FEP, docking) with machine learning approaches to create hybrid models with improved accuracy and generalization
Own data strategy for large-molecule AI/ML (data requirement, quality standard, governance)
Partner closely with engineering, computational, and laboratory teams to ensure the platform is usable, reliable, and scalable across programs and sites
Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing, multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
Provide clear goals, expectations, and development paths and ensure high standards of scientific excellence and reproducibility
Champion an inclusive, collaborative, and learning-oriented culture that values curiosity, rapid iteration, and rigorous validation
Communicate complex AI/ML concepts and results clearly to non-experts, including project teams and senior leadership, enabling data-driven decision-making
Qualification
Required
PhD degree in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related field with 10+ years relevant experience
Proven track record of leading AI-driven projects in a research pharmaceutical setting
Significant depth of expertise in at least one field relevant to the job (for example, machine learning, biotherapeutic design, etc.)
Demonstrated experience in modeling antibody/ antigen sequence, structure and interaction
Significant depth of expertise in at least one relevant area, such as: Machine learning or deep learning, Protein or biotherapeutic design, Structural modeling or computational biophysics
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated creativity and the ability to contribute both individually and through teams
Versatile communicator who can explain complex ideas to non-specialists and influence diverse stakeholders
Preferred
Experience leading teams that integrate machine learning with physics-based modeling (for example, MD, FEP, docking)
Experience building or owning AI/ML platforms or foundational models used across multiple programs
Prior leadership of cross-functional initiatives spanning discovery biology, protein engineering, and data or engineering teams
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision insurance
401(k) plan and company match
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Tuition reimbursement program
Paid volunteer time off
Company holidays
Well-being benefits
Up to 80 hours of sick time
Up to 120 hours of paid vacation
Company
Takeda
Takeda is a biopharmaceutical company that researches and develops pharmaceutical drugs.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Takeda has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (45)
2024 (39)
2023 (38)
2022 (34)
2021 (44)
2020 (18)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$2.46B2025-06-27Post Ipo Debt· $2.4B
2016-09-01Grant· $19.8M
2016-05-08Grant· $38M
Leadership Team
Christophe Weber
President and CEO
Schuyler Fairfield
Senior Vice President, Global Head of Supply Chain
Recent News
Pharmaceutical Technology
2026-01-11
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