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Job Description

About the role:

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

Join Takeda as a Director where you will evaluate the biological activity of the potential therapeutics candidates generated in global biologics and select the best candidates for further preclinical and clinical development. You will also lead a team responsible for designing and implementing vitro pharmacological assays, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, leading the discovery of novel biologics, and contributing to the strategic direction of our Immunotherapy and Immuno-oncology research programs. As part of the In Vitro Pharmacology team, you will report to the Head of the team and work with the Global Biologics organization.

How you will contribute:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership for the Immunotherapy and Immuno-oncology in vitro pharmacology team, ensuring alignment with company goals and objectives. Develop and implement innovative strategies to support the discovery and development of novel therapies.
• Functional Leadership: Lead the design, development, optimization and execution of high-quality in vitro pharmacology assays to evaluate the activity, mechanism of action, and efficacy of Immunotherapy and Immuno-oncology therapeutics. Utilize cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to assess immune cell function, immune checkpoint pathways, and tumor-immune interactions. Develop and implement strategies to enhance the in vitro pharmacology capabilities and throughput. Stay abreast of the latest scientific advancements and industry trends.
• Program Leadership: Lead the Immunotherapy and Immuno-oncology biologics discovery programs with cross-functional teams, driving the programs from lead ID to preclinical development.
• Candidates Screening and Profiling: Oversee the screening and profiling of biologic drug candidates in relevant in vitro models including immune cell-based assays, co-culture systems, and 3D organoid models. Evaluate candidate efficacy, potency and selectivity, to support lead optimization and candidate selection.
• Mechanism of Action Studies: Investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of therapeutic candidates using in vitro pharmacology approaches. Characterize interactions with immune targets, signaling pathways, and immune cell subsets to elucidate therapeutic mechanisms and inform drug development strategies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary discovery teams in a matrix format, including biologics engineering, biologics production, analytics, translational scientists, and preclinical development teams to advance discovery programs. Communicate results effectively and contribute to project team meetings, scientific discussions, and project planning activities.
• Mentoring: Mentor and develop junior scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• PhD degree in immunology, cancer biology, or a related scientific discipline with 10+ years experience , or MS with 16+ years experience, or BS with 18+ years experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Immunotherapy/immuno-oncology research, with a focus on immune cell biology, immune ch