Research Scientific Director, Head of Small Molecule Automation
Takeda
2 hours ago
Remote friendly (Boston, MA)
United States
$177,000 - $278,080 USD yearly
Operations
Accountabilities
- Define and execute automation strategy for small-molecule synthesis; align with discovery/development goals and Lab of the Future roadmap.
- Prioritize automation investments (equipment, software, talent) based on scientific impact, throughput, and cost-to-value.
- Establish closed-loop AI/ML-enabled DMTA vision (robotics + digital data capture) to improve throughput, cycle time, and decision quality.
- Design end-to-end automated workflows (reaction scouting, parallel synthesis, scale-out, purification such as flash/Prep-HPLC) with reproducibility/traceability.
- Standardize method libraries and digital SOPs; integrate and evaluate new automation/chemistry technologies (liquid-handling robotics, continuous flow, microreactors, smart reactors, generative chemistry tools).
- Integrate ELN/LIMS and orchestration systems to accelerate DMTA via HTE, parallel arrays, flow chemistry, automated purification, and low-touch lab operations.
- Define/track KPIs (workflow efficiency, data accessibility, cycle time); drive reliability, preventive maintenance, EHS/machine safety, cybersecurity, change control, validation, risk assessment.
- Support external knowledge sharing (patents/publications/presentations/consortia) and data governance.
Qualifications / Skills
- PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry (10+ years) or MS (16+ years) or BS (18+ years) in pharma/biotech R&D (small-molecule discovery).
- Deep medicinal chemistry (SAR, SBDD, cheminformatics, ADME/PK interpretation).
- 10+ years scaling lab/chemical process automation; 5+ years leading cross-functional R&D teams.
- Proficiency with automated synthesis platforms (robotic screening, parallel synthesis, purification).
- Experience with AI-driven DMTA/autonomous design-make loops and experiment planners; familiarity with scheduling, LIMS/ELN, and data pipeline tools.
- Strong leadership and executive-level communication.
Benefits (as listed)
- Medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with match, disability/life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, holidays, well-being benefits, up to 80 hours sick time, up to 120 hours paid vacation (new hires).
Location: Cambridge, MA (listed as based in Cambridge; location includes Boston, MA).
- Define and execute automation strategy for small-molecule synthesis; align with discovery/development goals and Lab of the Future roadmap.
- Prioritize automation investments (equipment, software, talent) based on scientific impact, throughput, and cost-to-value.
- Establish closed-loop AI/ML-enabled DMTA vision (robotics + digital data capture) to improve throughput, cycle time, and decision quality.
- Design end-to-end automated workflows (reaction scouting, parallel synthesis, scale-out, purification such as flash/Prep-HPLC) with reproducibility/traceability.
- Standardize method libraries and digital SOPs; integrate and evaluate new automation/chemistry technologies (liquid-handling robotics, continuous flow, microreactors, smart reactors, generative chemistry tools).
- Integrate ELN/LIMS and orchestration systems to accelerate DMTA via HTE, parallel arrays, flow chemistry, automated purification, and low-touch lab operations.
- Define/track KPIs (workflow efficiency, data accessibility, cycle time); drive reliability, preventive maintenance, EHS/machine safety, cybersecurity, change control, validation, risk assessment.
- Support external knowledge sharing (patents/publications/presentations/consortia) and data governance.
Qualifications / Skills
- PhD in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry (10+ years) or MS (16+ years) or BS (18+ years) in pharma/biotech R&D (small-molecule discovery).
- Deep medicinal chemistry (SAR, SBDD, cheminformatics, ADME/PK interpretation).
- 10+ years scaling lab/chemical process automation; 5+ years leading cross-functional R&D teams.
- Proficiency with automated synthesis platforms (robotic screening, parallel synthesis, purification).
- Experience with AI-driven DMTA/autonomous design-make loops and experiment planners; familiarity with scheduling, LIMS/ELN, and data pipeline tools.
- Strong leadership and executive-level communication.
Benefits (as listed)
- Medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with match, disability/life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, holidays, well-being benefits, up to 80 hours sick time, up to 120 hours paid vacation (new hires).
Location: Cambridge, MA (listed as based in Cambridge; location includes Boston, MA).