Associate Scientific Fellow, Process Chemistry

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Kendall Square (MA); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda — Cambridge, MA seeks an Associate Scientific Fellow, Process Chemistry to lead synthetic molecule process development and drive scalable manufacturing strategies. The role emphasizes leadership, mentoring, and collaboration with SMPD, Pharm Sci, and industry partners.

The ideal candidate has deep cGMP experience, a strong track record in process chemistry, and a history of cross‑functional influence across programs and external collaborations.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree and 15+ years relevant industry experience.
• Masters degree; 13+ years relevant industry experience.
• PhD; 7+ years relevant industry experience.
• Extensive experience in CMC pharmaceutical development for active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products under cGMP’s.
• Demonstrated deep technical expertise in synthetic molecule process chemistry and late‑stage process development.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary, cross‑functional environments, with accountability for influencing program, departmental, or functional strategy.
• Strong understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and their application to process development and manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership in synthetic molecule process development.
• Mentor colleagues and elevate scientific rigor.
• Lead complex scientific strategies across multiple late‑stage programs and guide internal/external teams.
• Design scalable drug substance manufacturing processes prioritizing safety, sustainability, cost, and quality.
• Own technical responsibility for programs and ensure integration of process understanding into development and manufacturing readiness.
• Lead external partnerships with CDMOs and academic collaborators to deliver high‑quality outcomes.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving

Technical expertise

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Leadership and influence

Knowledge sharing

External engagement

Organization and execution

Education

Bachelor's degree+15+ years

Master's degree+13+ years

PhD+7+ years

Job description

Job Description Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as an Associate Scientific Fellow, Process Chemistry in our Cambridge office. At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world. Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

OBJECTIVE

The Associate Scientific Fellow in Process Chemistry is a recognized technical leader with deep expertise in process chemistry development for synthetic molecules. They maintain a strong interest in laboratory work and play a critical role in advancing the portfolio by developing and executing complex scientific strategies across multiple late-stage pipeline projects, leveraging both personal laboratory contributions and leadership of internal and external efforts. The Associate Scientific Fellow drives the design and development of robust, scalable synthetic routes, balancing safety, sustainability, cost, and quality. They foster strong cross-functional partnerships across SMPD, Pharm Sci, and commercial organizations to enable efficient technology transfer and lifecycle process development. They may develop and lead project-focused academic collaborations to generate novel solutions to complex technical challenges. This includes initiating and participating in projects involving significant scientific challenges with well-considered risk and high potential impact, as well as directing and managing external partnerships and outsourcing across a product platform, as appropriate. The Associate Scientific Fellow is also expected to positively impact the scientific development of colleagues through training and mentoring and to promote the department externally by leading or contributing to multidisciplinary technical teams, driving peer‑reviewed publications, and participating in external conferences and scientific forums.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Recognized as a technical expert within Process Chemistry, SMPD, and across Pharm Sci, providing scientific leadership in synthetic molecule process development. Provides in‑lab mentorship and technical guidance to colleagues, elevating scientific rigor and problem‑solving capabilities by modeling best practices, reviewing technical approaches, and strengthening overall organizational capability. Leads and executes complex scientific strategies across multiple late‑stage programs, contributing directly through personal laboratory work and by guiding internal and external teams. Designs and advances robust, scalable drug substance manufacturing processes, ensuring alignment with safety, sustainability, cost, and quality objectives. Owns technical responsibility for one or more programs or key initiatives, ensuring integration of process understanding into development and manufacturing readiness. Applies deep technical expertise to identify, assess, and mitigate scientific and process risks, enabling informed decision‑making under conditions of uncertainty. Develops and implements innovative solutions to complex synthetic and process challenges, incorporating emerging technologies and industry best practices. Ensures strong cross‑department collaboration across SMPD (Process Research, Process Analytics, Process Engineering, Process Sciences & Technology, DS Portfolio Leadership), Pharm Sci, and commercial manufacturing partners to ensure effective technology transfer and lifecycle process development. Leads and manages external partnerships, including CDMOs, academic collaborators, and consultants, to deliver high‑quality outcomes aligned with program strategy. Analyzes experimental data and process trends to build mechanistic understanding, extract key insights, and define forward‑looking process strategies. Contributes to and influences departmental and functional scientific strategy, including identification and development of new capabilities and technology platforms. Initiates and leads cross‑functional or discipline‑focused initiatives to address technical gaps and enable broader organizational impact. Represents the function internally and externally through technical leadership in multidisciplinary teams, publications, patents, and participation in scientific conferences. Maintains and expands personal scientific expertise and external network to ensure continued innovation and thought leadership within Process Chemistry.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Bachelors degree and 15+ years relevant industry experience. Masters degree; 13+ years relevant industry experience. PhD; 7+ years relevant industry experience. Extensive experience in CMC pharmaceutical development for active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products under cGMP’s. Demonstrated deep technical expertise in synthetic molecule process chemistry and late‑stage process development. Proven record of significant technical contributions and scientific leadership within pharmaceutical development. Experience working in multidisciplinary, cross‑functional environments, with accountability for influencing program, departmental, or functional strategy. Strong understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and their application to process development and manufacturing.

• Analytical and Problem‑Solving Skills – Applies advanced scientific reasoning to diagnose complex technical issues, assess risk, and develop effective, data‑driven solutions under conditions of uncertainty.
• Technical Expertise – Recognized specialist in one or more areas of process chemistry, with ability to apply deep mechanistic understanding to solve complex synthetic and process challenges.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Effectively partners across global, multidisciplinary teams to integrate diverse perspectives and drive successful program outcomes.
• Communication Skills – Communicates complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely to a range of audiences, including senior leadership; produces high‑quality technical documentation suitable for internal and external use.
• Leadership and Influence – Provides technical leadership and uses strong interpersonal skills to influence scientific direction, guide teams, and align stakeholders toward shared objectives.
• Knowledge Sharing and Capability Building – Actively captures and disseminates knowledge, contributing to improved processes, scientific standards, and organizational learning.
• External Engagement – Demonstrates active involvement in the scientific community through presentations, publications, and engagement with external partners; maintains awareness of emerging trends and technologies.
• Organization and Execution – Effectively prioritizes and manages multiple scientific and program objectives, ensuring alignment with project timelines and organizational goals.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

May require approximately 5‑10% travel. 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. This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

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: Cambridge, MA U.S. Base Salary Range: $154,400.00 - $242,550.00 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. Locations Cambridge, MA Worker Type Employee Worker Sub‑Type Regular Time Type Full time Job Exempt Yes It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Takeda is an industry‑leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda‑ism – Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance – and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own. Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.

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.