Associate Scientific Director, Small Molecule In Vitro Pharmacology (IVP)/ 低分子創薬インビトロ薬理,アソシエイトサイエンティフィックディレクター

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Job Description

Please note this job requires native level Japanese language command not only in speaking, business writing and reading.

タケダの紹介

タケダでは常に患者さんを中心に考え、世界中の人々により健やかで輝かしい未来をお届けすることを目指してきました。そして従業員一人ひとりにそれぞれの能力と熱意に応じた成長の機会を提供することにも組んで取り組んでいます。私たちと一緒に、世界中の人々のいのちに貢献し、さらなる成長と活躍を目指しませんか。

タケダは国内第一の製薬企業、そして業界を牽引するグローバルリーダーです。従業員は四つの優先順位（患者さん中心、社会との信頼関係構築、レピュテーションの向上、事業の発展）とタケダイズム（誠実＝公正・正直・不屈）のもと一致団結しています。タケダイズムは私たちの信念であり正しい方向へ導く羅針盤です。私たちは日々の業務においてタケダイズムを体現しています。

Takeda is unwavering in our commitment to patients. With the patient at the center of everything we do, we continue to innovate and drive changes that will better their lives - we’re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is the number one pharmaceutical company in Japan and a global industry leader –we are united by our four priorities (Patients, Trust, Reputation, and Business) and our shared values of Takeda-ism: Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance. Takeda-ism is more than just a word. It’s a belief and a mindset which guides our decisions, behaviors, and interactions. It’s how we strive to work and live, every day.

Objective / Purpose:

武田薬品のグローバルケミストリー部門では、in vitro薬理の優れたリーダーを募集しております。このポジションでは、メディシナルケミストと密に連携しながら、低分子創薬研究における重要な役割を果たし、真のヒット化合物の探索や、ヒット/リード化合物のin vitro薬理学的プロファイルに関する深いインサイトを与えることに貢献します。

さらに、このポジションではCROに委託するプログラムのマネジメントを担当し、多様なアッセイ系の構築および実施、そしてCROとの密な連携によるDMTA（Design-Make-Test-Analyze）サイクルの加速を促進させます。この責任範囲には、武田薬品のパイプラインの進展やサイエンティフィックな目標達成に直接的に影響を与える、戦略的かつ戦術的なサイエンティフィックな貢献が含まれます。

このポジションの候補者に求められる必要なプロファイルは、製薬業界でのin vitro薬理学の分野での経験です。その専門知識を活かして低分子の可能性を最大限に広げ、武田薬品におけるヒット化合物創出を疾患領域横断的に主導していただきます。

We are seeking a skilled in vitro pharmacology leader to join the Global Chemistry organization at Takeda. This individual will play a pivotal role in small molecule drug discovery research by contributing to the identification of bona fide hit molecules and providing deep insights into the in vitro pharmacological profiles of hit/lead series in close collaboration with medicinal chemists.

Additionally, this individual will oversee external programs at CROs, including the design and management of diverse types of assays, execution, and acceleration of the iterative Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles conducted exclusively at these organizations. These responsibilities encompass significant scientific contributions, both strategic and tactical, that directly impact the progression of Takeda’s pipeline and scientific objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a background in the field of in vitro pharmacology within pharmaceutical industry settings. Using this expertise, the person will lead Takeda’s hit generation efforts across therapeutic areas, fully capitalizing on the potential of small molecule modalities.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the in vitro pharmacology efforts for proprietary, differentiated small molecule asset generation projects across therapeutic areas, including  neuroscience, oncology, and gastrointestinal/inflammatory diseases. Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry leads to design and implement in vitro screening cascades, conduct high-throughput screening and hit validation, perform SAR screenings for hit/lead optimization, and analyze hit/lead series in depth to provide scientific insights.
• Proactively leverage external CRO capabilities by integrating both internal and external expertise to establish an efficient and productive operational framework; Manage in vitro assay data and protocols with significant responsibility for the quality of data and assay performance
• Act as an In Vitro Pharmacology representative to support the initiation of new projects by contributing significant insights into asset generation strategies and drafting tactical research plans with robust screening cascades to identify valid hit molecules. Lead and manage hit generation activities following the formal initiation of projects.
• Build and foster strong internal and external collaborations by aligning with key stakeholders, including internal biology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, computational sciences, and structural biology/protein chemistry teams. Collaborate extensively within interdisciplinary research teams in a matrix format (functional/report-line teams and research project teams) to advance discovery programs.
• Work as a global IVP leadership team member and get involved in relevant initiatives and/or committees such as the one for in vitro assay data management pertaining to synthetic compounds and small molecule libraries ensuring global harmonization
• Act as a role model for ethical decision-making by understanding and adhering to both local and global compliance regulations.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

• PhD in a scientific discipline related to molecular biology field with 7+ years of relevant experience; or MS with 11+ years of equivalent experience.
• Proficient in both cell-based and cell-free assays, including biochemical assays (e.g., binding and enzymatic assays) for evaluating small molecules; experience and solid knowledge of biophysical assays are preferred.
• Sufficient knowledge in assay material preparation, including cloning, genetic modifications of cell lines, protein expression, and purification.
• Experience and/or familiarity with molecular screening.
• Comprehensive understanding of the overall preclinical research process.
• Strong proficiency in Excel-based data analysis, including advanced graph analysis.
• Excellent communication skills to foster collaborative relationships with global team members.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

• Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

• Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

• Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

• Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

• Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

• Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

• Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

• It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

• It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

Fujisawa, Japan

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time