Director, Head of Predictive Modeling & Biopharmaceutics

Takeda; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Boston, MA seeks a senior leader for Predictive Modeling and Biopharmaceutics within Oral Drug Product Development. You will guide a high‑performing team across multiple programs to advance formulation design, drug product performance, and regulatory readiness.

You will apply PBPK/PBBM, absorption modelling, IVIVC/IVIVR and related approaches to optimize development decisions while coordinating with cross-functional partners to ensure scientific rigor and project success.

Qualifications

• PhD with 8-10+ years in industry in predictive modelling and biopharmaceutics.
• Master’s with 10-14+ years in industry in predictive modelling and biopharmaceutics roles.
• Bachelor’s with 15-18+ years in relevant industry experience and leadership in drug product development.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for Predictive Modeling and Biopharmaceutics within drug product development.
• Builds and develops a high performing predictive modeling and biopharmaceutics team across the Oral Drug Product Development organization.
• Leads development and implementation of strategies to support formulation design, dosage form selection, and product performance evaluation.
• Ensures effective application of modelling approaches to assess biopharmaceutics risks (absorption, dissolution, bioavailability).
• Oversees generation, interpretation, and integration of biopharmaceutics data for development decisions.
• Provides scientific leadership in PBPK/PBBM, absorption modelling, IVIVC/IVIVR to strengthen outcomes.

Skills

Predictive modelling

Biopharmaceutics

Leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory strategy

Communication

Decision making

Strategic thinking

Innovation

Project management

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering or related

Master’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering or related

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related

Job description

Job Description:

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for the Predictive Modeling and Biopharmaceutics function within drug product development, ensuring capabilities, priorities, and deliverables align with portfolio and business objectives.
• Builds and develop a high performing predictive modeling and biopharmaceutics team which works across the whole Oral Drug Product Development organization to drive modelling excellence and execution
• Leads the development and implementation of predictive modeling and biopharmaceutics strategies to support formulation design, dosage form selection, and product performance evaluation across development stages.
• Ensures the effective application of modeling and simulation approaches to assess biopharmaceutics risks, including absorption, dissolution, bioavailability, and in vivo performance.
• Oversees the generation, interpretation, and integration of biopharmaceutics data to enable scientifically sound and timely development decisions.
• Provides scientific and organizational leadership in predictive sciences, including PBPK/PBBM, absorption modelling, IVIVC/IVIVR, and related methodologies, to strengthen development outcomes and decision quality.
• Partners with cross-functional stakeholders across formulation, analytical, clinical pharmacology, regulatory, and CMC disciplines to incorporate predictive and biopharmaceutics strategies into program plans.
• Directs the contribution of predictive modeling and biopharmaceutics expertise to regulatory strategies and submissions, ensuring scientific rigor and alignment with applicable regulatory expectations.
• Builds and maintains organizational capability through talent development, resource planning, and leadership of a high-performing scientific team.
• Establishes standards, processes, and best practices for the use of predictive modelling and biopharmaceutics approaches within drug product development.
• Drives innovation and continuous improvement in predictive sciences to enhance efficiency, reduce development risk, and support successful product advancement.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS:

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise:

Deep expertise in pharmaceutical development, predictive modelling and biopharmaceutics. Proven track record of successful application of mechanistic and PPBM modelling in drug development. Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity and address the challenge with enterprise level perspective. Ability to lead/coordinate pipeline program and cross-functional initiative by mutually aligning different constraints and priorities with relevant stakeholder

Leadership:

Hires and mentors a group of predictive modeling scientists and engineers to execute Pharmaceutical Sciences in silico Modeling strategy for the oral drug product development department (ODPD). Influences direction through recognized expertise and strong cross-functional partnerships. Mobilizes and leads high-performing, cross-functional teams across multiple programs; driving alignment and disciplined execution. Champions change and inclusive leadership; develops the immediate team through coaching, mentoring, feedback, and deliberate skill building.

Decision-making and Autonomy:

Operates with high autonomy and accountability to execute portfolio/program approaches, scientific plans, resourcing proposals, and partner models within agreed governance. Makes complex, risk-based decisions (or recommendations) on development approach, critical-path trade-offs, and mitigation actions across scope, budget, timeline, and quality; escalates appropriately and ensures decisions are documented and communicated. Anticipates program and capability needs and initiates actions to close gaps with minimal oversight.

Interaction:

Primary internal partners include other ODPD function heads and department members, other Pharmaceutical Sciences department stakeholders in AD and SMPD, Clinical Pharmacology and Drug metabolism (DMPK) Leads/Managers; Global Regulatory; quality; procurement/supplier management; and clinical biomarker development functions. Leads external technical interactions with consultants and development partners; supports contracting and governance interactions in partnership with legal and procurement.

Innovation:

Explores and evaluates emerging predictive modeling and biopharmaceutics technologies; proposes creative solutions to meet stakeholder needs and program constraints. Shares knowledge across the organization through technical reviews, best practices, and mentoring; encourages disciplined experimentation through prototyping and feasibility assessment.

Complexity:

Manages team across multiple interdependent workstreams spanning device development, patient testing services, and clinical research support across a global matrix. Navigates diverse external ecosystems (partners, suppliers, regulators) and varying regional regulatory pathways; balances speed, cost, quality and patient impact while operating under strict compliance and design control expectations.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• PhD in Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering or related pharmaceutical science and 8-10+ years relevant industry experience
• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering or related pharmaceutical science and 10-14+ years relevant industry experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, biology, pharmacy, engineering or related pharmaceutical science and 15-18+ years relevant industry experience.
• Extensive pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry experience required, including progressive leadership responsibility in drug product development, biopharmaceutics, modelling and simulation, and CMC strategy for oral dosage forms.
• Demonstrated expertise in predictive modelling approaches such as PBPK/PBBM, mechanistic absorption modelling, dissolution modelling, IVIVC/IVIVR, and model-informed drug development to support oral formulation design and clinical performance prediction.
• Strong scientific knowledge of oral biopharmaceutics and drug product development is required, including absorption, bioavailability, dissolution, food effect, formulation performance, and phase-appropriate development of oral dosage forms.
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions and health authority interactions is required, with the ability to provide scientifically robust modelling and biopharmaceutics justifications for formulation strategy, clinical bridging, and product changes.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing scientific teams, including talent development, coaching, succession planning, and establishment of functional capabilities aligned with business and portfolio needs.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and collaboration skills with the ability to influence across formulation, analytical, clinical pharmacology, regulatory, quality, and CMC teams to drive aligned decisions and integrated development strategies.
• Excellent communication and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate complex modelling and biopharmaceutics concepts into clear recommendations for senior leaders, project teams, and regulatory audiences.
• Demonstrated behavioral competencies in leadership, sound judgment, innovation, and decision making, with a strong ability to balance scientific rigor, business priorities, and development risk in a dynamic environment.
• High learning agility, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement are required, along with the ability to build organizational capability, advance new scientific approaches, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.

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:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range :

$177,000.00 - $278,080.00

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.

Benefits

For information about our benefits, please

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.

Locations:

Boston, 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.