Associate Scientist, Biologics Characterization

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Lexington, MA is seeking an Analytical Development scientist focused on biologics characterization. You will independently plan, execute, and report experiments using LC-MS, peptide mapping, glycan analysis, and HPLC/UPLC methods to support product understanding and regulatory submissions.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, data integrity, and collaboration with cross-functional teams, with opportunities to train others and contribute to technology transfer efforts.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with 7+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development, biologics characterization, protein chemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry.
• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development or related field.
• Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development or related field.
• Hands-on laboratory experience required.
• Experience with biologics characterization, protein analytical methods, MS, biophysical characterization, chromatography, electrophoresis, or related analytical technologies.
• Knowledge of methods such as LC-MS, peptide mapping, intact mass, glycan analysis, SEC-HPLC, RP-HPLC, IEX-HPLC, HIC-HPLC, icIEF, CE-SDS, AUC, CD, DSC, DLS, SPR, fluorescence spectroscopy, or related techniques.
• Ability to independently plan and execute experiments, analyze data, and communicate conclusions to stakeholders.
• Understanding of biologics structure, heterogeneity, stability, degradation pathways, product-related variants, and critical quality attributes.
• Ability to prepare and review technical documentation (protocols, reports, SOPs, tech transfer).
• Problem-solving skills including troubleshooting and risk escalation.
• Ability to work across teams with timelines and data quality expectations.
• Understanding of data integrity principles and good documentation practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with scientific rigor and documentation standards.
• Effective written and oral communication; ability to present to stakeholders.
• Comfort with emerging digital and AI-enabled tools for data analysis and workflow improvements.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, plan, execute, analyze, and report basic and complex biologics characterization experiments under general direction.
• Perform analytical and biophysical studies to assess structure, heterogeneity, purity, stability, and variants.
• Apply methods such as LC-MS, peptide mapping, intact mass, glycan analysis, HPLC/UPLC, electrophoretic methods, spectroscopy, or related tools.
• Prepare protocols, technical reports, data summaries, method documents, and technology transfer materials.
• Interpret and communicate results to teammates and cross-functional partners with alignment from supervisor or project lead.

Skills

LC-MS

Peptide mapping

Intact mass

Glycan analysis

HPLC/UPLC

AUC

CD

DSC

DLS

Spectroscopy

Biologics characterization

Education

Associate degree 7+ years

Bachelor’s degree 5+ years

Master’s degree 3+ years

Tools

SEC-HPLC

RP-HPLC

IEX-HPLC

HIC-HPLC

icIEF

CE-SDS

AUC

Job description

About the role

You will report to the Associate Director, Characterization Biologics within Analytical Development, Biologics. You will contribute to biologics characterization activities using mass spectrometry, biophysical methods, and/or HPLC/UPLC-based separations. You will independently plan, execute, analyze, and report characterization experiments to support product understanding, process development, comparability, stability, manufacturing readiness, technology transfer, and regulatory submissions. You will work with departmental and cross-functional partners to generate high-quality data, troubleshoot technical issues, and communicate results that support decision‑making for biologics CMC. You will bring hands‑on laboratory experience, technical curiosity, and the ability to develop expertise in one or more characterization platforms such as LC‑MS, peptide mapping, intact mass analysis, glycan analysis, UPLC/HPLC fractionation, AUC, CD, DSC, DLS, spectroscopy, or related protein characterization methods. This role does not include direct people management.

How you will contribute

• Independently design, plan, execute, analyze, and report basic and complex biologics characterization experiments under general direction.
• Perform analytical and biophysical studies to assess biologics structure, heterogeneity, purity, stability, degradation pathways, post‑translational modifications, higher‑order structure, and product‑related variants.
• Apply methods such as LC‑MS, peptide mapping, intact mass, glycan analysis, HPLC/UPLC, electrophoretic methods, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and other characterization tools.
• Contribute to characterization studies and source documentation supporting product and process understanding, comparability, stability, process or formulation development, technology transfer, and regulatory submissions.
• Prepare experimental protocols, technical reports, data summaries, method documents, technology transfer documents, and internal presentations.
• Interpret and communicate results to departmental colleagues, project teams, or cross‑functional partners with supervisor or project lead alignment.
• Serve as an Analytical Development characterization contact for assigned project activities and align with the supervisor or project lead before committing resources or timelines.
• Troubleshoot non‑routine method, sample, instrument, data analysis, software, documentation, or vendor‑related issues and propose solutions.
• Coordinate defined internal or external characterization activities, including review and consolidation of vendor data packages, as assigned.
• Propose and implement improved approaches for data collection, analysis, interpretation, visualization, and reporting within assigned scope.
• Stay current with relevant analytical technologies, biologics characterization methods, data analysis approaches, and regulatory expectations.
• Serve as a technical resource for selected laboratory technologies and may train or mentor colleagues, interns, and co‑ops.
• Present technical results internally and may contribute to posters, internal reports, external presentations, publications, invention disclosures, or patent‑related activities, as appropriate.
• Complete required training and maintain high standards for safety, data integrity, documentation quality, and laboratory compliance.

What you bring to Takeda

• Associate degree with 7+ years, bachelor’s degree with 5+ years, or master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant industry experience in analytical development, biologics characterization, protein chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Previous hands‑on experience working in a laboratory setting is required.
• Experience with biologics characterization, protein analytical methods, mass spectrometry, biophysical characterization, chromatography, electrophoresis, or related analytical technologies.
• Practical knowledge of one or more relevant methods such as LC‑MS, peptide mapping, intact mass, glycan analysis, SEC‑HPLC, RP‑HPLC, IEX‑HPLC, HIC‑HPLC, icIEF, CE‑SDS, AUC, CD, DSC, DLS, SPR, fluorescence spectroscopy, or related techniques.
• Ability to independently plan and execute experiments, analyze data, interpret results, and communicate conclusions to technical and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Working understanding of biologics structure, product heterogeneity, stability, degradation pathways, product‑related variants, and critical quality attributes.
• Ability to prepare and review technical documentation, including protocols, reports, data summaries, method documents, SOPs, and technology transfer materials.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills, including the ability to troubleshoot technical issues, propose practical solutions, and escalates risks appropriately.
• Ability to work across departmental and cross‑functional teams with an understanding of project timelines, deliverables, and data quality expectations.
• Understanding of data integrity principles, ELN/LIMS documentation, laboratory safety, and good documentation practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with general direction while maintaining attention to scientific quality, timelines, and documentation standards.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing and in conversation, and to present technical information clearly to scientific and project stakeholders.
• Comfort using emerging digital and AI‑enabled tools to support data analysis, workflow improvements, and scientific decision‑making.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

Important Considerations

• Work in a controlled environment requiring special gowning and wear protective clothing over the head, face, hands, feet and body.
• May include additional hearing protection for loud areas.
• Need to remove all make‑up, jewelry, contact lenses, nail polish and/or artificial fingernails while in the manufacturing environment.
• Work in a cold, wet environment.
• Work multiple shifts, including weekends, or be asked to work supplemental hours, as necessary.
• Work around chemicals such as alcohol, acids, buffers and Celite that may require respiratory protection.

More about us

At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient‑focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life‑changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world. 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.

Compensation and Benefits Summary

• For Location: Lexington, MA U.S. Base Salary Range: $103,500.00 - $162,690.00
• 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.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proudly committed 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.

Locations

Lexington, MA

Worker Type and Other Details

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.