Discovery Scale-Up & Route Optimization Lead

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 177,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. in Boston, MA seeks a scientific leader to head Discovery Scale-Up and Optimization, owning chemistry optimization and material supply for lead candidates.

You will lead a ~10-person team across Boston and Shonan, partner with Pharm Sci, medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, and toxicology, and oversee CROs to deliver material on time while advancing development readiness.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related discipline with 10+ years in process chemistry
• Proven track record delivering scalable routes and gram-to-kilogram supply for preclinical or clinical candidates
• Leadership experience across sites, time zones, and cultures
• Deep expertise in synthetic route design, reaction optimization, impurity control, and process safety
• CRO management including vendor oversight, budgets, and data quality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to travel between Boston and Shonan

Responsibilities

• Set the vision, priorities, and operating model for discovery scale-up and optimization
• Lead design and optimization of scalable, efficient synthetic routes
• Deliver gram-to-kilogram supplies for medicinal chemistry and related studies
• Collaborate with medicinal chemistry to assess tractability and route changes
• Prepare for technology transfer and sourcing strategies
• Lead and develop a ~10-person team across sites
• Select and manage CRO partners with budget and timeline oversight
• Contribute to portfolio strategy and governance
• Introduce enabling technologies to accelerate route development

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Route Design

Scale-Up

CRO Management

Project Management

Communication

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry

MS in Chemistry

BS in Chemistry

Job description

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. in Boston, MA seeks a scientific leader to head Discovery Scale-Up and Optimization, owning chemistry optimization and material supply for lead candidates.

You will lead a ~10-person team across Boston and Shonan, partner with Pharm Sci, medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, and toxicology, and oversee CROs to deliver material on time while advancing development readiness.