Senior Director, AIRx Discovery Biology Lead

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 212,000 - 333,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a Senior Director, AIRx Discovery Biology Lead in Cambridge, MA to set mechanistic and translational foundations for AIRx programs, guiding from target hypothesis to clinical hypothesis in an AI-enabled operating model.

You will own disease biology and target validation strategy across the AIRx portfolio, design translational biomarker programs, oversee CRO biology, and collaborate with biology, chemistry, and data science teams to deliver IND-enabling packages.

Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or closely related discipline.
• 12–15+ years of drug discovery with a strong track record in target validation and disease biology.
• IND filings experience.
• Experience designing and managing external CRO biology programs; ability to scope and interpret study data.
• Ability to connect target biology to clinical hypothesis and translational strategy.
• AI/ML data integration experience; comfortable with large multi-source datasets.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills in a lean, fast-paced team.

Responsibilities

• Direct CRO partners to generate high-quality data for AI DMTA cycles and connect biology to translational strategy and clinical outcomes.
• Own disease biology and target validation strategy across the AIRx portfolio with mechanistic rationale and clinical line of sight.
• Define translational biomarker strategies to support go/no-go decisions and future clinical development.
• Design and oversee CRO-executed in vitro and in vivo biology studies; critically evaluate data for decision-readiness.
• Integrate biology data into AI-enabled DMTA cycles with medicinal/computational chemists, DMPK, safety, and structural biology.
• Shape how biology is practiced in the AIRx model and represent biology in Takeda governance forums.

Skills

AI/ML data integration

Cross-functional collaboration

Clinical hypothesis linkage

IND filings experience

External CRO management

Data interpretation in biology

Education

PhD in biology or related field

Job description

Senior Director, AIRx Discovery Biology Lead

Takeda Research is constructing the Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR) group built on AI, automation, new ways of working, and talent with the singular vision of delivering differentiated medicines to the clinic at speed and cost. To catalyze these efforts, Takeda is creating two complementary units: AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and The Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR) group.

Purpose

Biology is the strategic core of every AIRx program — As Discovery Biology Lead, you will set the mechanistic and translational foundation that determines whether a program deserves to advance, guiding the team from target hypothesis to clinical hypothesis with the intellectual authority that only deep disease biology expertise can provide.

Responsibilities

directing CRO partners with precision and accountability to generate high-quality, interpretable data that feeds into AI-powered DMTA cycles, and connecting experimental biology to translational strategy and clinical outcomes. The AIRx Discovery Biology Lead combines deep scientific expertise with the agility to thrive in an externalized, AI-powered operating model — leveraging biological depth and pragmatism to direct and integrate biology at speed, while role modeling new ways of working in Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR) group.

Accountabilities

Own the disease biology and target validation strategy across the AIRx portfolio; ensure all programs have mechanistic rationale, clear differentiation, and clinical line of sight Define translational biomarker strategies supporting go/no-go decisions and future clinical development Design and provide strategic oversight of CRO-executed in vitro and in vivo biology studies; critically evaluate data packages for scientific quality and decision-readiness Integrate biology data into AI-enabled DMTA cycles alongside medicinal/computational chemists, DMPK, safety, and structural biology Challenge scientific assumptions across the team; ensure biological integrity and mechanistic depth underpin all program decisions Represent biology perspectives at Takeda governance forums; contribute to IND-enabling biology packages Stay current with disease biology and the competitive landscape; proactively inform the team of relevant developments Shape how biology is practiced in the AIRx model — your ways of working here will become the template for Takeda Research’s future operating model

Qualifications & Competencies

PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, or closely related discipline 12-15+ years of drug discovery experience with a strong track record in target validation and disease biology Proven contributions to IND filings; experience supporting IND-enabling biology packages Track record designing and managing externalized CRO biology programs; ability to scope, oversee, and critically interpret study data Ability to connect target biology to clinical hypothesis and translational strategy AI/ML data integration experience; comfortable working with large multi-source datasets Experience in at least one therapeutic area represented across the Takeda Research portfolio Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills; able to operate effectively in a lean, fast-paced team

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position will be based in Cambridge, MA. This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy

Compensation and Benefits

For Location: Boston, MA U.S. Base Salary Range: $212,000.00 - $333,190.00 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.

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

Locations Boston, MA Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type 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.