Senior Scientist, High-Throughput In Vitro ADME

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda seeks a Senior Scientist, High-Throughput In Vitro ADME to design, implement, and operate assays at scale to support small- and large-molecule discovery. You will lead a new team, mentor scientists, and advance automation for rapid, high-confidence data in DMTA cycles.

You should have a PhD or MS with extensive ADME/automation experience, strong data integrity, and collaboration across DMPK, chemistry, biology, and data science. This role is based in Cambridge, MA.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Metabolism, PK, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Analytical Chemistry or related field with 3+ years of experience; MS with 9+; or BS with 11+ years
• Expertise in in vitro ADME, including method development, validation, and deployment across core assay types
• Experience in an organization providing ADME services with customer focus
• Data quality maintenance in time-constrained environments
• Hands-on experience with laboratory automation and robotics, including integration and troubleshooting

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop scientists and associates delivering in vitro ADME assays
• Design, execute, and improve a broad high-throughput in vitro ADME panel
• Champion automation and robotics integration to increase throughput and reduce costs
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (DMPK, chemistry, biology, data science)
• Maintain data quality, drive KPIs, and participate in CAPA investigations

Skills

Leadership

Automation

ADME

Cross-functional

Data integrity

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field

MS with 9+ years

BS with 11+ years

Tools

LIMS/ELN

Mass spectrometry

Automation hardware

Job description

Job Description At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

Objective / Purpose : The Senior Scientist, High-Throughput In Vitro ADME is a scientist experienced in designing and implementing in vitro ADME assays at scale to support small- and large-molecule discovery programs to be a key member of a newly formed team that is designing and building Takeda’s high-throughput in vitro ADME capabilities as part of the Labs of Tomorrow initiative. Reporting to the Director, High-Throughput In Vitro ADME, within the Discovery Automation and Robotics (DAR) department.

This Senior Scientist will design, implement and operate assays based on a fundamental understanding of ADME principles, while driving technology innovation at the interface of ADME science, laboratory automation, and robotics. The High-Throughput In Vitro ADME team, delivers robust, fit for purpose ADME data to enable rapid, high-confidence decision-making in Design–Make–Test–Analyze (DMTA) cycles across the portfolio.

Accountabilities

• Leadership & People Development: Mentor scientists and research associates who are involved in the routine delivery of in vitro ADME assays. Demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with a culture of scientific rigor, operational excellence, safety, and customer focus, supported by clear KPIs (e.g., cycle time, success rate, capacity utilization, cost-per-data point). Bring a team first mentality to personal/scientific responsibility.
• High-Throughput ADME Operations: Design, execute, and continuously improve assays as part of a broad high throughput in vitro ADME panel, to include but not be limited to Physiochemical characterization Kinetic solubility, Log D, etc. Metabolic stability Microsomes, Hepatocytes, S9 in Human and Preclinical species Supersomes Metabolic soft spot determination Permeability MDCK, Caco-2, PAMPA Distribution/Free Fraction Plasma Protein Binding, Whole Blood Partitioning, Tissue Binding Reaction Phenotyping CYPs, AO, Phase 2 enzymes Efflux Transporters Drug-Drug interactions CYP inhibition and induction Transporter inhibition Safety liabilities hERG, SynchroPatch Build and adapt assays as required to meet the diversity of both small-molecule and large-molecule modalities. Maintaining a flexible mindset to ensure that assays meet the needs of the new modalities and platforms as the portfolio evolves. Own assays (and associated data) that you have developed from validation through production.
• Laboratory Automation, Robotics & Miniaturization: Bring a laboratory automation and robotics mindset to the in vitro ADME space, in close alignment with the Director, High Throughput in Vitro ADME. Be a champion for assay miniaturization to increase throughput/speed while maintaining assay quality and reducing costs. Integrate liquid handlers, plate handlers, robotic arms, incubators, plate readers, mass spectrometers and scheduling software into end-to-end automated workflows. Partner with internal automation/engineering and informatics teams to ensure seamless connectivity between instruments, LIMS/ELN, data pipelines, and analytical platforms.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface with DMPK, medicinal chemistry, biology, pharmacology, translational sciences, and data science. To understand how data from the assays you build will be interpreted and integrated into Discovery programs and AI learning. In partnership with the Director, High Throughput in Vitro ADME modify/adjust assays to meet the needs of the portfolio. Use commercial solutions when suitable/available but demonstrate a willingness to design and build assays/processes with internal partners to ensure an assay brings the needed data at scale as required.
• Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement: Design and implement assays that ensure scientific quality, data integrity, and safety consistent with Takeda policies and relevant regulatory expectations. Maintain KPIs for throughput, on-time delivery, reproducibility, and cost; apply data-driven methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, DoE) to drive continuous improvement. Openly participate in investigations and CAPA implementation related to assay performance, automation reliability, or data issues.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Analytical Chemistry or related field with 3+ years of relevant experience; MS with 9+; or BS with 11+ years
• Expertise in in vitro ADME, including method development, validation, and deployment across core assay types.
• Experience in an organization providing ADME services (e.g., CRO or internal ADME service group), with a strong service- and customer-oriented mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain/own data quality in a time constrained environment.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with laboratory automation and robotics, including implementation, troubleshooting, maintenance, coordinating service/support with vendors
• Successful track record in miniaturizing ADME assays formats, including optimization for data quality, robustness, and throughput.
• Experience supporting small-molecules (required) and large-molecule discovery programs preferred.
• Familiarity with LIMS/ELN, instrument integration, and data analysis/visualization tools in a high-throughput setting.
• Understanding of how in vitro ADME data is integrated into a Discovery Program along with PK/PD, mechanistic ADME and Drug Safety.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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: USA - MA - Cambridge

U.S. Base Salary Range: $137,000.00 - $215,270.00 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.

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 USA - MA - Cambridge 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.

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.