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TakedaPharmaceutical Nordics AB · 15 hours ago

Research Scientific Director, Large Molecule AI Development

Boston, MA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$174K/yr - $274K/yr

10+ years exp

Takeda is a forward-looking R&D organization focused on delivering transformative therapies. They are seeking a strategic Research Scientific Director to lead AI/ML-enabled biologics discovery, driving applications and scaling platform capabilities for drug discovery.

Pharmaceuticals

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

AI/ML applicationBiotherapeutic designModeling antibody interactionsMachine learningDeep learningComputational biophysicsAnalytical skillsProblem-solving skillsCommunication skillsLeadership skills

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