Associate Director, Head of Cellular Lead Profiling

Role Summary

The Head of Cellular Lead Profiling will play a critical leadership role in Takeda’s Lab of the Future initiative, driving implementation of highly efficient, AI-integrated DMTA (Design–Make–Test–Analyze) cycles for small and large-molecule discovery. You will own the strategy, design, and execution of cellular lead profiling assays on fully automated, robotic platforms, with a strong emphasis on assay miniaturization (down to 1,536-well formats) and end-to-end digitalization. Partnering closely with medicinal chemistry, DMPK, data science/AI, and automation engineering, you will ensure that cellular testing becomes a fast, reliable, and insight-rich engine for decision-making across Takeda’s discovery portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision:
  • Define and execute the global strategy for biochemical lead profiling in support of Takeda’s DMTA cycle, aligned with the Lab of the Future roadmap.
  • Champion the use of automation, robotics, and AI/ML to increase throughput, data quality, and decision speed across biochemical assays.
  • Establish and refine a vision for fully integrated workflows, from assay design through assay execution, data capture, analysis, and reporting.
• Cellular Assay Development & Profiling:
  • Partner with Drug Discovery scientists in Takeda’s Drug Discovery Units (DDUs) to drive the design, development, and validation of robust cellular assays (e.g., High Content, reporter, CTG, GPCR) for primary, secondary, and mechanistic profiling.
  • As a leader of a core facility that supports all therapeutic areas for both small and large molecule modalities, ensure a seamless operation and that data delivery timelines consistently are met.
  • Drive assay miniaturization strategies (including 384-well and 1,536-well plate formats) without compromise on data quality, sensitivity, or reproducibility.
  • Implement best practices for assay performance monitoring, QC, and continuous improvement (e.g., Z’ factor, S/B, control strategies).
• Leadership, Collaboration & People Development:
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of scientists and research associates specializing in cellular assay development, screening and automation.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, operational excellence, and safety.
  • Represent lead profiling capabilities to internal stakeholders and external partners; influence global standards and best practices across Takeda.
  • Function as a key liaison to Takeda’s DDU scientists and leadership, setting the example for cross-functional collaboration and partnership.
• Automation, Robotics & Lab Operations:
  • Oversee the deployment and optimization of fully automated, robotic platforms for high-throughput DMTA assays.
  • Partner with automation engineers to design scalable, modular workflows that support rapid reconfiguration for new targets and assay types.
  • Ensure rigorous integration of instruments, LIMS/ELN systems, scheduling software, and data pipelines to enable true end-to-end automation.
• AI-Integrated DMTA & Data Excellence:
  • Collaborate with AI/ML, cheminformatics, and data engineering teams to ensure that assay design and data outputs are “AI-ready” (standardized, curated, and appropriately annotated).
  • Establish data standards and governance for cellular lead profiling, enabling longitudinal data mining and cross-program learning.

Education

• Expected Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, or related field, 6+ years of relevant industry/postdoctoral experience; OR M.S. with 12+ years of relevant experience; OR B.S. with 14+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D, with a strong focus on cellular assay development and lead profiling.
• Experience embedding AI/ML and advanced analytics into DMTA processes and decision-making.
• Hands-on familiarity with scheduling software, LIMS/ELN, and data pipeline tools commonly used in automated labs.
• Experience in hit-to-lead and lead optimization support, including interpreting cellular data in the context of SAR and portfolio strategy.
• Prior leadership role in a “lab of the future,” high-throughput screening, or fully integrated discovery platform environment.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and transformation in complex, global R&D organizations.

Additional Requirements

• The position will be based in Cambridge, MA (hybrid work policy).