[Job] Staff Scientist- Modeling & Simulation [Takeda]

Wolfram; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a Modeling and Simulation scientist in San Diego to support preclinical translational PKPD and systems pharmacology across the portfolio. This role bridges discovery-level exposure–response understanding with Translational Research and Early Clinical teams.

Responsibilities include routine quantitative pharmacology, standardization of approaches, and leadership in collaborations with regulatory and external partners.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life sciences or related field, or MS/MA with extensive PKPD modeling experience.
• 2–4 years in PKPD/mathematical modeling in industry.
• Expertise in PK/PD modeling, systems pharmacology or related math.
• Hands-on modeling experience with Mathematica, MATLAB, WinNonlin Phoenix or NONMEM.
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities and a track record of publications.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine quantitative pharmacology support for Takeda projects in San Diego.
• Propose standardized quantitative pharmacology approaches and champion innovations.
• Collaborate with DDU heads, Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Medicine and toxicology.
• Develop and extend modeling capabilities across therapeutic areas.
• Represent the group in industry/academic forums and publish posters/papers.
• Create standardized procedures and records to support FDA audits.

Skills

PK/PD modeling

Systems pharmacology

Mathematica

MATLAB

WinNonlin Phoenix

NONMEM

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Education

PhD in life sciences

MS/MA with 10+ years

BS/BA with 12+ years

Tools

Mathematica

MATLAB

WinNonlin Phoenix

NONMEM

Job description

The Modeling and Simulation scientist will be responsible for modeling support for the Takeda portfolio in the preclinical translational (PKPD and Systems Pharmacology) group. This role involves both practical application of Modeling and Simulation techniques to expedite drug discovery and development, and bridging discovery level understanding of exposure-response to the Translational Research and Early Clinical team.

Accountabilities:

• Manages routine support for quantitative pharmacology for all projects within prosecuted at Takeda in San Diego, ensuring clinical impact and key deliverables for external regulatory (e.g. IND, IB) and internal decision-making documents.
• Proposes and builds consensus for standardized approaches for quantitative pharmacology.
• Identifies and champions novel scientific approaches to develop innovative applications of modeling and simulation to biology, pharmacology and nonclinical sciences (ADME, toxicology).
• Engages with key stakeholders, and builds effective and collaborative relationships.
• Identifies opportunities for external collaborations and engages with key opinion leaders.
• Identifies novel areas for engagement for the group, and develops new capabilities with new customer departments.
• Builds a culture that encourages close collaboration, free sharing of ideas, and calculated risk-taking.
• Extends the impact of Modeling and Simulation to all therapeutic areas within Takeda.
• Provides transparency for resource allocation and pipeline prioritization of efforts.
• Coordinates efforts closely with key stakeholders (such as the DDU heads, Clinical Pharmacology, Experimental and Translational Medicine and toxicology).
• Builds win-win partnerships with other functions operating in the mathematical/simulation space (such as Biostatistics, Clinical Translational
• Modeling and Pharmacometrics).
• Provides leadership within industry and academic scientific bodies through key presentations, external posters and publications, thereby building the scientific reputation of the Modeling and Simulation group at Takeda in San Diego as an industry leader in the field.
• Develops standardized procedures and record-keeping approaches that support engagement in areas that may potentially be audited as part of an FDA visit.

Education, Behavioral, Competencies, and Skills Required:

• Ph.D. in the life sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, biophysics or pharmacology), chemical engineering, pharmacokinetics, or related disciplines OR MS/MA with 10+ years of experience OR BS/BA with 12+ years of experience
• 2-4 years relevant industry experience in PKPD/mathematical modeling.
• Expertise in modeling (PK/PD, systems pharmacology or mathematics).
• Conceptual fluency with modeling, and hands-on modeling experience (e.g. using Mathematica, MATLAB, WinNonlin Phoenix or NONMEM).
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial spirit- drive and initiative.
• Flexibility and scientific curiosity.
• Strong influence and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• A strong track record of publications and posters. A clear conceptual understanding of drug discovery and development.

Highly desired:

• Expertise in statistical analyses (e.g. model building, fitting, machine learning, regression analysis).
• Hands-on expertise in in vivo or in vitro pharmacology, biomarkers (pre-clinical or clinical) or drug metabolism/ pharmacokinetics.
• Broad expertise in various aspects of drug discovery and development, ideally in more than one functional area.
• In-depth knowledge of biology and a deep understanding of in vivo experimental model systems used in drug discovery and development.
• Experience as a project representative in discovery or development, in a preclinical (biology/pharmacology), nonclinical (DMPK/toxicology) or translational setting.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Training/coursework in PK/PD modeling is a plus.