Director, Head of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL)
Takeda
August 14, 2026
On-site
Boston, MA
$177,000 - $278,080 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Job Description
The Head of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) provides scientific and strategic leadership for DNA-encoded library technologies to accelerate small-molecule discovery. Creates Takeda’s DEL strategy, builds an in-house DEL screening team, leads DEL library design/build, oversees DEL selections and data analysis, and guides cross-functional teams from hit identification through hit-to-lead.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and implement internal/external DEL screening strategies aligned to discovery objectives
- Build and execute DEL in-house
- Lead design, synthesis/acquisition, characterization, and quality assessment of DEL libraries
- Oversee DEL selection campaigns (target prep, assay design, controls, execution)
- Direct DEL data processing, QC, statistical analysis, and interpretation
- Evaluate DEL hits; prioritize based on potency, selectivity, enrichment, tractability, and developability
- Lead/coordinate hit identification, validation, resynthesis, and confirmation
- Partner with medicinal chemistry, biology, biophysics, structural biology, computational chemistry, DMPK, and project teams through hit-to-lead
- Provide guidance on on-DNA reaction development, DNA-compatible chemistry, building-block selection, and library design
- Establish DEL workflows, standards, and best practices
- Present strategy/results/risks/recommendations to senior leadership
- Build collaborations and track emerging DEL technologies
- Mentor and develop scientists
Qualifications (Required)
- PhD in Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology/Biochemistry or related field with 10+ years industry drug discovery/DEL experience; or MS with 16+ years relevant experience
- Expertise in DEL library design/synthesis; on-DNA chemistry; DEL selection; DEL data analysis/hit triage; hit ID/validation/hit-to-lead
- Proven ability to define/execute DEL strategies across programs
- Experience leading cross-functional teams in matrixed environments
- Strong communication, presentation, project leadership, and problem-solving
Preferred
- Experience with affinity-based and functional DEL
- Sequencing/bioinformatics/enrichment analysis/DEL data platforms
- Integrate DEL data with structural biology, computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry
- Advance DEL-derived matter into lead optimization/development
- Manage vendors/academic collaborations/technology partnerships
- Evidence of scientific leadership (publications/patents/conferences)
Benefits (as stated)
- Medical, dental, vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; short-/long-term disability; life insurance; tuition reimbursement; paid volunteer time off; company holidays; well-being benefits; up to 80 hours sick time/year; up to 120 hours paid vacation for new hires
- U.S. base salary range: $177,000–$278,080
Application Instructions
- Apply via the “Apply” button (application processed per Takeda Privacy Notice and Terms of Use).
The Head of DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) provides scientific and strategic leadership for DNA-encoded library technologies to accelerate small-molecule discovery. Creates Takeda’s DEL strategy, builds an in-house DEL screening team, leads DEL library design/build, oversees DEL selections and data analysis, and guides cross-functional teams from hit identification through hit-to-lead.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and implement internal/external DEL screening strategies aligned to discovery objectives
- Build and execute DEL in-house
- Lead design, synthesis/acquisition, characterization, and quality assessment of DEL libraries
- Oversee DEL selection campaigns (target prep, assay design, controls, execution)
- Direct DEL data processing, QC, statistical analysis, and interpretation
- Evaluate DEL hits; prioritize based on potency, selectivity, enrichment, tractability, and developability
- Lead/coordinate hit identification, validation, resynthesis, and confirmation
- Partner with medicinal chemistry, biology, biophysics, structural biology, computational chemistry, DMPK, and project teams through hit-to-lead
- Provide guidance on on-DNA reaction development, DNA-compatible chemistry, building-block selection, and library design
- Establish DEL workflows, standards, and best practices
- Present strategy/results/risks/recommendations to senior leadership
- Build collaborations and track emerging DEL technologies
- Mentor and develop scientists
Qualifications (Required)
- PhD in Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology/Biochemistry or related field with 10+ years industry drug discovery/DEL experience; or MS with 16+ years relevant experience
- Expertise in DEL library design/synthesis; on-DNA chemistry; DEL selection; DEL data analysis/hit triage; hit ID/validation/hit-to-lead
- Proven ability to define/execute DEL strategies across programs
- Experience leading cross-functional teams in matrixed environments
- Strong communication, presentation, project leadership, and problem-solving
Preferred
- Experience with affinity-based and functional DEL
- Sequencing/bioinformatics/enrichment analysis/DEL data platforms
- Integrate DEL data with structural biology, computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry
- Advance DEL-derived matter into lead optimization/development
- Manage vendors/academic collaborations/technology partnerships
- Evidence of scientific leadership (publications/patents/conferences)
Benefits (as stated)
- Medical, dental, vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; short-/long-term disability; life insurance; tuition reimbursement; paid volunteer time off; company holidays; well-being benefits; up to 80 hours sick time/year; up to 120 hours paid vacation for new hires
- U.S. base salary range: $177,000–$278,080
Application Instructions
- Apply via the “Apply” button (application processed per Takeda Privacy Notice and Terms of Use).