Medicinal Chemistry Program Leader

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a hands-on Medicinal Chemistry Program Leader at the Associate Director level to lead day-to-day design, synthesis, and progression of compounds for discovery programs in the Boston area.

You will serve as the chemistry lead on cross-functional teams, mentor junior chemists, manage external CRO collaborations, and drive milestones from hit-to-lead to candidate nomination, ensuring timely delivery within budget and resources.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS with significant medicinal chemistry industry experience in pharma/biotech.
• Proven track record contributing to or leading discovery programs advancing compounds to candidate nomination or clinic.
• Strong understanding of SAR, drug design, potency, ADME, PK, and physicochemical properties.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry programs from hit identification through lead optimization and candidate nomination.
• Design and prioritize compounds using SAR, structure-based and computational design, and multi-parameter optimization.
• Lead cross-functional project teams with biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, communicating progress and risks.

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry

MS in related discipline

BS with 14+ years experience in pharma/biotech medicinal chemistry

Job description

About the role

We are seeking a hands-on medicinal chemistry leader to drive the execution of our discovery programs as a Medicinal Chemistry Program Leader at the Associate Director level. In this role, the successful candidate will lead the day-to-day design, synthesis, and progression of compounds for one or more programs, translating target and biology strategy into potent, selective, and developable molecules. They will serve as the chemistry lead on cross-functional project teams, direct the work of internal chemists and external partners such as contract research organizations (CROs), and be accountable for delivering program milestones from hit-to-lead through candidate nomination.

How you will contribute

Program Execution

Lead the execution of medicinal chemistry programs from hit identification through lead optimization and candidate nomination, delivering against agreed milestones, timelines, and candidate criteria.

Compound Design and SAR

Design and prioritize compounds using structure-activity relationships, structure-based and computational design, and multiparameter optimization of potency, selectivity, ADME, and safety properties.

Project Team Leadership

Serve as the chemistry lead on cross-functional project teams with biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, communicating progress, risks, and recommendations clearly to team and management.

Team and CRO Oversight

Direct the work of internal chemists and CRO-based teams, setting priorities, reviewing synthetic plans and data, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery within program budget and resources.

Scale-Up Partnership

Work with discovery scale-up and process chemistry colleagues to ensure synthetic tractability and timely supply of material for in vivo and other key studies.

Decision-Making and Governance

Prepare data packages and recommendations for program reviews and portfolio decisions, including go/no-go and candidate nomination.

Mentorship

Mentor and develop junior chemists, sharing best practices in design, synthesis, and data interpretation.

Innovation

Apply new methodologies and technologies, such as computational design, parallel synthesis, and automation, to improve the speed and quality of design-make-test-analyze cycles.

Intellectual Property

Contribute to invention disclosures and patent filings, and maintain accurate, well-documented scientific records.

Qualifications

• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline, with 6+ years experience, or MS with 12+ years experience, or BS with 14+ years experience of pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience in medicinal chemistry.
• Proven track record of contributing to or leading discovery programs that advanced compounds to candidate nomination or the clinic.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, SAR, drug design, and the interplay of potency, ADME, pharmacokinetics, and physical properties.
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional project teams and drive execution against timelines and milestones.
• Leadership Skills: Experience directing, mentoring, and developing chemists, including work with external CRO partners.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to a broad audience.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Strong analytical skills, a proactive approach to challenges, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and make sound decisions with incomplete data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a large pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, including managing programs across internal and external sites.
• Therapeutic Areas: Experience in oncology, neuroscience, or inflammation.
• Modalities: Experience with small-molecule modalities beyond traditional compounds, such as macrocycles, peptides, or degraders.
• Publications and Patents: Publication record in medicinal chemistry or related fields, and named inventor on patent filings.

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: $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. For information about our benefits, please click here.

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

Employment Type

Worker Type: Employee

Worker Sub-Type: Regular Time

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.

About Takeda

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.

For applicants of U.S. and Puerto Rico positions: Click here to learn about our commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). If you are limited in the ability to use our job application tool, or otherwise require a reasonable accommodation for a disability please click here.