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TakedaPharmaceutical Nordics AB · 12 hours ago

Associate Director, Head of Cellular Lead Profiling

Boston, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$154K/yr - $241K/yr

6+ years exp

Takeda is a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization dedicated to unlocking innovation and delivering transformative therapies. The Head of Cellular Lead Profiling will lead the implementation of AI-integrated DMTA cycles for drug discovery and oversee the strategy and execution of cellular lead profiling assays.

Pharmaceuticals

Responsibilities

Define and execute the global strategy for biochemical lead profiling in support of Takeda’s DMTA cycle, aligned with the Lab of the Future roadmap

Champion the use of automation, robotics, and AI/ML to increase throughput, data quality, and decision speed across biochemical assays

Establish and refine a vision for fully integrated workflows, from assay design through assay execution, data capture, analysis, and reporting

Partner with Drug Discovery scientists in Takeda’s Drug Discovery Units (DDUs) to drive the design, development, and validation of robust cellular assays (e.g., High Content, reporter, CTG, GPCR) for primary, secondary, and mechanistic profiling

As a leader of a core facility that supports all therapeutic areas for both small and large molecule modalities, ensure a seamless operation and that data delivery timelines consistently are met

Drive assay miniaturization strategies (including 384-well and 1,536-well plate formats) without compromise on data quality, sensitivity, or reproducibility

Implement best practices for assay performance monitoring, QC, and continuous improvement (e.g., Z’ factor, S/B, control strategies)

Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of scientists and research associates specializing in cellular assay development, screening and automation

Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, operational excellence, and safety

Represent lead profiling capabilities to internal stakeholders and external partners; influence global standards and best practices across Takeda

Function as a key liaison to Takeda’s DDU scientists and leadership, setting the example for cross-functional collaboration and partnership

Oversee the deployment and optimization of fully automated, robotic platforms for high-throughput DMTA assays

Partner with automation engineers to design scalable, modular workflows that support rapid reconfiguration for new targets and assay types

Ensure rigorous integration of instruments, LIMS/ELN systems, scheduling software, and data pipelines to enable true end-to-end automation

Collaborate with AI/ML, cheminformatics, and data engineering teams to ensure that assay design and data outputs are 'AI-ready' (standardized, curated, and appropriately annotated)

Establish data standards and governance for cellular lead profiling, enabling longitudinal data mining and cross-program learning

Qualification

Cellular assay developmentAI/ML integrationHigh-throughput screeningRobotic platformsData pipeline toolsLeadership experienceCross-functional collaborationClear communication

Required

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, or related field, 6+ years of relevant industry/postdoctoral experience; OR M.S. with 12+ years of relevant experience; OR B.S. with 14+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D, with a strong focus on cellular assay development and lead profiling

Experience embedding AI/ML and advanced analytics into DMTA processes and decision-making

Hands-on familiarity with scheduling software, LIMS/ELN, and data pipeline tools commonly used in automated labs

Experience in hit-to-lead and lead optimization support, including interpreting cellular data in the context of SAR and portfolio strategy

Prior leadership role in a 'lab of the future,' high-throughput screening, or fully integrated discovery platform environment

Demonstrated ability to drive change and transformation in complex, global R&D organizations

Proven track record of developing and validating cellular assays for drug discovery (e.g., enzyme kinetics, binding assays, mechanistic profiling)

Running assays on fully automated, robotic platforms in high-throughput environments

Successful miniaturization of assays to at least 384-well and preferably 1,536-well plate formats

Demonstrated experience designing and operating integrated workflows that connect lab instrumentation, automation, and informatics systems

Strong leadership experience, including managing and developing scientific teams at the senior scientist/principal scientist level

Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to partner with chemistry, DMPK/biology, data science, informatics, and automation engineering

Clear, concise communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence at the Executive Director and VP level across diverse teams