Director, Head of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL)

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Job Description

The Head of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) will provide scientific and strategic leadership for the development and application of DNA-encoded library technologies to accelerate small-molecule discovery. This leader will create Takeda’s DEL strategy and build a team to enable DEL screening in house. They will lead the design and build of DEL libraries, oversee DEL selections and data analysis, and guide cross-functional teams from hit identification through hit-to-lead progression.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in on-DNA chemistry, DEL platform development, and collaborative drug discovery, with a demonstrated ability to translate DEL-derived insights into high-quality chemical matter and actionable project decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement internal and external DEL screening strategies aligned with discovery program objectives.
• Build a team to fully execute DEL in house at Takeda.
• Lead the design, synthesis/acquisition, characterization, and quality assessment of DEL libraries.
• Oversee DEL selection campaigns, including target preparation, assay design, controls, and experimental execution.
• Direct DEL data processing, quality control, statistical analysis, and interpretation.
• Evaluate DEL hits and establish prioritization strategies based on potency, selectivity, enrichment, chemical tractability, and developability.
• Lead or coordinate hit identification, hit validation, resynthesis, and confirmation activities.
• Partners with medicinal chemistry, biology, biophysics, structural biology, computational chemistry, DMPK, and project leadership teams to advance DEL-derived hits through hit-to-lead.
• Provide scientific guidance on on-DNA reaction development, DNA-compatible chemistry, building-block selection, and library design.
• Establish platform capabilities, workflows, standards, and best practices for DEL screening and data analysis.
• Present scientific strategy, results, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and project teams.
• Build external collaborations and maintain awareness of emerging DEL technologies, methods, and competitive advances.
• Mentor and develop scientists while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous culture.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and innovative scientific thinker
• Collaborative and inclusive team leader
• Strong cross-functional influencer
• Results-oriented and accountable
• Skilled at translating complex data into clear decisions
• Effective mentor and people developer
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, matrixed environment

Qualifications (Required)

• Expected Requirements:
  • PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochmistry or a related scientific discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery, DEL technology, or a closely related field; or
  • MS in a relevant scientific discipline with 16+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • DEL library design and synthesis
  • On-DNA chemistry and DNA-compatible reaction development
  • DEL selection design and execution
  • DEL data analysis and hit triage
  • Hit identification, validation, and hit-to-lead activities
  • Proven ability to define and execute DEL strategies across multiple discovery programs.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed research environment.
  • Strong record of scientific innovation, collaboration, and delivery of high-quality discovery outcomes.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, project leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Accountabilities: Describe the primary duties and responsibilities of the job. Include only the essential functions of the job. Approximately 5 – 10 bulleted task statements should be identified.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement internal and external DEL screening strategies aligned with discovery program objectives.
• Build a team to fully execute DEL in house at Takeda.
• Lead the design, synthesis/acquisition, characterization, and quality assessment of DEL libraries.
• Oversee DEL selection campaigns, including target preparation, assay design, controls, and experimental execution.
• Direct DEL data processing, quality control, statistical analysis, and interpretation.
• Evaluate DEL hits and establish prioritization strategies based on potency, selectivity, enrichment, chemical tractability, and developability.
• Lead or coordinate hit identification, hit validation, resynthesis, and confirmation activities.
• Partners with medicinal chemistry, biology, biophysics, structural biology, computational chemistry, DMPK, and project leadership teams to advance DEL-derived hits through hit-to-lead.
• Provide scientific guidance on on-DNA reaction development, DNA-compatible chemistry, building-block selection, and library design.
• Establish platform capabilities, workflows, standards, and best practices for DEL screening and data analysis.
• Present scientific strategy, results, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and project teams.
• Build external collaborations and maintain awareness of emerging DEL technologies, methods, and competitive advances.
• Mentor and develop scientists while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and scientifically rigorous culture.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and innovative scientific thinker
• Collaborative and inclusive team leader
• Strong cross-functional influencer
• Results-oriented and accountable
• Skilled at translating complex data into clear decisions
• Effective mentor and people developer
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, matrixed environment

Qualifications (Required)

• Expected Requirements:
  • PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochmistry or a related scientific discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery, DEL technology, or a closely related field; or
  • MS in a relevant scientific discipline with 16+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • DEL library design and synthesis
  • On-DNA chemistry and DNA-compatible reaction development
  • DEL selection design and execution
  • DEL data analysis and hit triage
  • Hit identification, validation, and hit-to-lead activities
  • Proven ability to define and execute DEL strategies across multiple discovery programs.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed research environment.
  • Strong record of scientific innovation, collaboration, and delivery of high-quality discovery outcomes.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, project leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Candidate will have;

• Experience with both affinity-based and functional DEL screening approaches.
• Knowledge of sequencing technologies, bioinformatics, enrichment analysis, and DEL data-management platforms.
• Experience integrating DEL data with structural biology, computational chemistry, and medicinal chemistry.
• Track record of advancing DEL-derived chemical matter into lead optimization or development programs.
• Experience managing external vendors, academic collaborations, or technology partnerships.
• Evidence of scientific leadership through publications, patents, or conference presentations.

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:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$177,000.00 - $278,080.00

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 job. 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.

Locations

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

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