Research Senior Associate

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, & vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. is seeking a Research Senior Associate to design and execute in vitro antibody discovery campaigns using full-length IgG yeast display and phage display platforms.

You will lead end-to-end discovery programs, collaborate with computational teams, and develop Python scripts to support high-throughput screening and sequence-function analysis. The role involves multi-stage discovery from target validation to lead optimization with a focus on developability

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Bioengineering, or related field.
• Proven experience with antibody discovery campaigns and phage/yeast display platforms.
• Experience with NGS library prep and data interpretation is required.
• Familiarity with multi-parameter flow cytometry and BLI is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro antibody discovery campaigns using phage and yeast display platforms.
• Lead end-to-end discovery programs from library construction to hit confirmation.
• Develop Python-based scripts and data visualization tools to support high-throughput screening.
• Perform NGS-based analysis to identify productive binders across rounds.
• Design and lead multi-stage discovery experiments for lead optimization and developability.
• Construct immune antibody libraries from diverse sources (mouse, humanized mice, llamas).
• Perform mammalian cell culture, ELISA, and flow cytometry; use high-throughput cell sorting for workflows.
• Screen outputs using biophysical and developability assays (BLI, on-cell binding, polyspecificity).
• Plan molecular cloning strategies for antibody variable genes and diversity generation.
• Troubleshoot and solve scientific problems within discovery programs.

Skills

Antibody discovery

Phage display

Yeast display

NGS data analysis

Flow cytometry

Biolayer interferometry

Python scripting

Data visualization

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular cloning

Education

Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Bioengineering, or related field

Tools

FlowJo

GraphPad Prism

PyMOL

Geneious Prime

IgBLAST

SnapGene

Job description

Position

Research Senior Associate

Position Description

Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. is seeking a Research Senior Associate with the following duties: design and execute in vitro antibody discovery campaigns using full length IgG yeast display and phage display platforms, applying platform-specific selection strategies to maximize hit diversity and developability; collaborate with computational teams to experimentally interrogate de novo antibody designs in yeast display platform. Independently lead end-to-end discovery campaigns including library construction, FACS selection strategy development, sequencing analysis, clone triage, and hit confirmation; develop and apply Python-based scripts, data visualization tools, and agentic AI-enabled workflows to support high-throughput screening, sequence-function analysis, and multi-dimensional antibody discovery datasets; execute NGS-based analysis of antibody discovery campaigns, including clone enrichment analysis, lineage tracking, sequence prioritization, and identification of productive binders across selection rounds; design and lead multi-stage discovery experiments to advance novel biotherapeutic candidates from target validation through lead optimization with a focus on developability and affinity; construct immune antibody libraries from diverse immune sources, including mice, humanized transgenic mice, and llamas, across multiple antibody formats such as Fab, IgG, sdAb, and HCAb to support antigen-specific discovery campaigns; perform mammalian cell culture, ELISA, and multi-parameter flow cytometry; and high-throughput cell sorting systems for single B cell and yeast workflows; screen and characterize outputs from antibody discovery campaigns using biophysical, cell-based, and developability assays, including biolayer interferometry (BLI) and on-cell binding, polyspecificity, stability, and expression analyses to support hit confirmation and lead progression; design molecular cloning strategies for antibody variable gene amplification, combinatorial library construction, and diversity generation for display libraries; apply advanced molecular biology techniques including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, restriction enzyme cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and library generation; lead troubleshooting and scientific problem-solving efforts within discovery programs; perform quantitative data analysis and formulate mechanistic hypotheses to guide program decisions.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Immunology Bioengineering, or related field plus 30 months of related experience. Prior experience must include: design and execute end-to-end antibody discovery campaigns on a bicistronic phage display platform advancing immune Fab and single-domain libraries through helper/hyperphage rescue & biopanning selection strategies; lead phage-based antibody discovery campaigns against complex targets from GPCRs, HLAs to the wider cell membrane proteome, translating immune libraries into high-affinity, functional binders; building next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries from Fab and VHH antibody repertoires, amplicon-based library preparation, indexing/barcoding, library QC, & preparation for Illumina sequencing; leverage multi-parameter flow cytometry & fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based sorting, ELISA and Octet-based biolayer interferometry (BLI) to confirm binding & resolve kinetic profiles; interpret flow cytometry experimental and statistical data through FlowJo & GraphPad Prism, structure visualization in PyMOL & design library construction & mutagenesis using Geneious Prime, Geneious Biologics, IgBLAST, SnapGene or similar tools; construct recombinant plasmids and libraries using molecular cloning, gene editing, RT-PCR, cDNA/DNA/RNA isolation, and Gibson assembly; execute high throughput screening and automation workflows, using liquid handling systems and integrating automated processes. Full time. $89,900 - $141,240 per year.

Eligibility and EEO

Any individual may provide documentary evidence bearing on this application, with information on available workers and information on wages and working conditions, to the Certifying Officer, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5311, Washington, DC 20210.

Benefits

U.S. employees may be eligible for medical, dental, & vision insurance, 401(k), paid time off, sick leave, company holidays, incentive compensation programs, & other benefits offered under company policies.

Location

JOB LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

Locations Boston, MA

Contract

Full time.

Remote Work

Up to 20% remote work allowed.

Salary

$89,900 - $141,240 per year.

Company

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.