Research Scientist, Cell Therapy Discovery

Takeda Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Research Scientist in Cell Therapy Discovery to join their team in Boston. This role involves designing experiments in oncology research, collaborating across teams, and contributing to the advancement of innovative therapies. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in immunology or cancer biology, with hands-on experience in cell therapy techniques.

Benefits

Equitable pay practices

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Tuition reimbursement program

Paid volunteer time off

Up to 120 hours of paid vacation

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Qualifications

• PhD with 2+ years or MS with 7+ years relevant experience required.
• Demonstrable skills in immune cell characterization and functional assessment.
• Experience with assay development and IND-enabling studies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute mechanistic experiments in oncology cell therapy research.
• Lead data analysis and presentation to drive project decisions.
• Collaborate in cross-functional project groups and prepare technical reports.

Skills

in vitro/ex vivo immune cell characterization

multi-color flow immunophenotyping

cytotoxicity assays

molecular-based assays

attention to detail

organizational skills

time-management skills

collaboration

Education

PhD in immunology or cancer biology

MS in relevant field

BS with 10+ years of relevant experience

Tools

CAR-T

CAR-NK

CAR-γδT

TCR-T cell therapies

lentiviral transduction

Job description

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’sPrivacy Notice and Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Research Scientist, Cell Therapy Discovery in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

This position seeks an experienced, organized, and motivated scientist with background and expertise in cell therapy and immuno-oncology, and preferably innate cell biology. We are looking for someone who is highly dedicated and driven to advance new therapies to patients and who has a strong work ethic and collaborative mindset. The scientist will join the Cell Therapy team within the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit. The successful candidate will be part of wider efforts to advance Takeda’s oncology pipeline in cell therapy by working collaboratively across departmental and cross-functional teams. The candidate will also play a crucial role in improving our understanding of the biology of innate cells and identifying ways to improve potency, persistence and safety of Takeda’s cell therapy platforms. The candidate can expect opportunities to propose ways to achieve these goals and then lead generation of proof-of-concept data.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to discovery projects by independently designing and executing well-defined mechanistic experiments and projects within oncology cell therapy research.
• Lead analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data to important partners, and play an active role in the subsequent scientific discussions to drive decisions on the next steps.
• Collaborate in cross-functional, matrix-based project groups to drive specified pipeline programs.
• Contribute to scientific discussions in group and departmental settings.
• Prepare and present comprehensive technical or project reports and formal presentations/posters to full range of internal/external audiences.
• Develop or refine in vitro/ex vivo functional assays to improve robustness or dynamic range, enable automation, and drive mechanistic understanding.
• Maintains laboratory notebooks and follows laboratory practices in compliance.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
• Contribute to IND reports and other technical documents for use across functions/departments.
• Other job duties as assigned. May lead or manage junior staff in some settings.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in in immunology or cancer biology with 2+ years relevant industry/academic experience; Or MS in relevant field with 7+ years of relevant experience; Or BS with 10+ years of relevant experience
• The individual should have demonstrable skills in in vitro/ex vivo immune cell characterization and functional assessment, such as multi-color flow immunophenotyping, multiplex cytokine measurements, cytotoxicity assays, and other molecular-based assays.
• The individual should have sound theoretical knowledge of cell therapy, immunology and cancer biology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, organizational and time-management skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team are required.
• Hands-on experience with CAR-T, CAR-NK, CAR-γδT, and TCR-T cell therapies/immunotherapies is desired, including cell culture, immune cell activation/expansion, and functional evaluation.
• Experience with lentiviral transduction and other gene editing/delivery approaches is desired.
• Experience with assay development involving automation and liquid handling is desired.
• Experience of having executed IND-enabling studies and participated in necessary documentation is desired.
• A track record of publications to demonstrate scientific expertise is preferred.

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

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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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:

$111,800.00 - $175,670.00

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.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-termincentives. U.S.based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S.based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

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

YesIt 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.