Director, Head of High-Throughput in vitro ADME

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Job Description

Objective / Purpose:

The Director High-Throughput In Vitro ADME is a senior scientific and operational leader responsible for building and directing Takedas high-throughput in vitro ADME capabilities in support of small- and large-molecule discovery programs.

Reporting to the Head of Drug Discovery Lab Automation and Transformation this Director will define strategy oversee operations and drive technology innovation at the interface of ADME science laboratory automation and robotics. The organization will operate as a service-oriented group delivering robust high-quality ADME data to enable rapid high-confidence decision-making in DesignMakeTestAnalyze (DMTA) cycles across the portfolio.

Accountabilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
  • Define and execute the multi-year strategic roadmap for high-throughput in vitro ADME at Takeda aligned with the broader vision of the Drug Discovery Lab Automation and Transformation organization.
  • Shape an enterprise-level service-oriented operating model for ADME ensuring capacity capability and flexibility to meet evolving project and portfolio needs.
  • Champion innovation in high throughput assay design detection technologies automation and data workflows to enhance throughput quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Team Leadership & People Development
  • Lead mentor and grow a team of scientists and research associates responsible for the routine delivery of a comprehensive suite of in vitro ADME assays.
  • Build a culture of scientific rigor operational excellence safety and customer focus supported by clear KPIs (e.g. cycle time success rate capacity utilization cost-per-data point).
  • Drive talent development and performance management appropriate for a Director-level organization.
• High-Throughput ADME Operations
  • Oversee design execution and continuous improvement of a broad high throughout in vitro ADME panel including but not limited to:
  • Metabolic stability and clearance (microsomes hepatocytes S9)
    • CYP inhibition and induction
    • Permeability (e.g. Caco-2 MDCK PAMPA)
    • Plasma protein and tissue binding
    • Transporter and other mechanistic assays
  • Ensure robust support for both small-molecule and large-molecule modalities adapting methods for new modalities and platforms as the portfolio evolves.
  • Own and maintain fit-for-purpose validation QC and SOP frameworks including root-cause analysis and corrective actions for assay or system deviations.
• Laboratory Automation Robotics & Miniaturization
  • Provide scientific and strategic leadership for laboratory automation and robotics within the in vitro ADME space in close alignment with the Head of Drug Discovery Lab Automation and Transformation.
  • Lead assay miniaturization up to 1536-well formats from feasibility and optimization through technology transfer into robust routine operation.
  • Oversee integration of liquid handlers plate handlers robotic arms incubators readers and scheduling software into end-to-end automated workflows.
  • Partner with internal automation/engineering and informatics teams to ensure seamless connectivity between instruments LIMS/ELN data pipelines and analytical platforms.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as the primary ADME service leader interfacing with DMPK medicinal chemistry biology pharmacology translational sciences and data science.
  • Translate portfolio and project needs into clear ADME assay strategies capacity plans and timelines; communicate priorities risks and trade-offs with transparency at project and governance levels.
  • Collaborate with external CROs technology vendors and academic partners when appropriate ensuring consistent quality standards and strategic alignment with internal capabilities.
• Quality Compliance & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure scientific quality data integrity and safety in all ADME operations consistent with Takeda policies and relevant regulatory expectations.
  • Define and monitor KPIs for throughput on-time delivery reproducibility and cost; apply data-driven methodologies (e.g. Lean Six Sigma DoE) to drive continuous improvement.
  • Oversee investigations and CAPA implementation related to assay performance automation reliability or data issues.
• Education and Experience:
  • Expected: Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences Drug Metabolism Biochemistry Pharmacology or related field with 10 years of relevant industry experience; or M.S. with 16 years; or B.S. with 18 years in pharmaceutical/biotech R&D.
  • Extensive expertise in in vitro ADME including method development validation and deployment across core assay types.
  • Direct experience in an organization providing ADME services (e.g. CRO or internal ADME service group) with a strong service- and customer-oriented mindset.
  • Proven leadership experience at the Director level managing scientific teams and complex operations in a high-throughput environment.
  • Demonstrated strategic and hands-on experience with laboratory automation and robotics including selection implementation and lifecycle managemet.
  • Successful track record in miniaturizing ADME assays formats including optimization for data quality robustness and throughput.
  • Experience supporting both small- and large-molecule discovery programs.
  • Familiarity with LIMS/ELN instrument integration and data analysis/visualization tools in a high-throughput setting.

Proven track record of:

• Building or transforming high throughput ADME capabilities (e.g. establishing new platforms scaling capacity modernizing legacy workflows.
• Understanding how ADME outputs integrate with DMPK PK/PD and translational strategies and inform decision making
• Experience with data science and process optimization approaches to support advanced analytics and continuous improvement

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The position will be based in Cambridge MA. This position is currently classified as hybrid by Takedas Hybrid and Remote Work policy

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

U.S. Base Salary Range:

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position years of relevant experience specific and unique skills level of education attained certifications or other professional licenses held and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical dental vision insurance a 401(k) plan and company match short-term and long-term disability coverage basic life insurance a tuition reimbursement program paid volunteer time off company holidays and well-being benefits among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive per calendar year up to 80 hours of sick time and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression parental status national origin age disability citizenship status genetic information or characteristics marital status status as a Vietnam era veteran special disabled veteran or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal state and local laws and any other characteristic protected by law.

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Job Exempt