Takeda Pharmaceutical: Principal Scientist: Cell Engager Therapies In Vivo Lead

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Job Description 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.

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.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSEThe Cell Engager team of the Oncology DDU is looking for an experienced Immunologist or cellular biologist to join a very collaborative and dynamic team to help advance the cell engager pipeline programs.

You will oversee the in vivo/ex vivo evaluation of various cell engager molecules linked to the COBRA platform and beyond to assess T and innate cell functional responses and differentiation.

You will focus on the development of strategies, preclinical assays and screens that provide framework for the evaluation of various dysfunctional states of cytotoxic T cells particularly in solid tumors.

You should have in-depth knowledge of T cell Biology and immune dysfunctional mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment to evaluate potential mechanisms of resistance of Immune cell engagers.

You should have a strong foundation in redirected T cell immunity and hands-on experience in their evaluation in various pre-clinical in vivo model systems and track record of success in IO drug discovery.

You should have project leadership experience working with cross functional teams and the ability to move candidates through lead selection.

As an essential member of the team, you will be responsible for new idea generation, prioritization of therapeutic target selection, assessing therapeutic concepts and strategy of various immune engager molecules and advancing novel research molecules towards development candidates and IND.

You will require you to be hands-on, working closely and mentoring direct reports.

You will collaborate and demonstrate effective communication and documentation of results with key stakeholders in IOI, C2H, Global Biologics, DSRE, DMPK, Translational teams and CTI.

ACCOUNTABILITIESDesign and manage preclinical in vivo pharmacology studies including efficacy, pharmacokinetic and biomarker studies, and toxicology studies (in collaboration with DMPK/DSRE)Perform translational research studies focusing on patient stratification, biomarker identification, disease indication, and dual targeting strategies.Work closely with ITT team to develop research grade immunohistochemistry methods to identify and quantitate target expression in tumor and normal tissue.Lead therapeutic T cell re-targeting programs from target validation through to candidate selection, and into Phase 1 clinical trials.Contribute to new idea generation and prioritization of tumor antigen selectionReview pre-clinical dataProvide hands-on technical execution of studiesProvide study design and effective protocol development with CROs for successful execution of appropriate in vivo models and ex vivo analysis for evaluation of various cell engager pdts.Develop, approve, and distribute study-related documents and other study toolsOversee study planning, initiation, and study-closure processesCreate metrics, complete data analysis, study reports and presentationsWork in close collaboration with ODDU’s essential point of contacts for CROs and facilitate communication across departments, providing relevant informationIdentify and integrate technologies that improve or expand the ability to assess the MoA of novel immunomodulatory agentsImmunophenotyping and gene profiling experiments using a variety of techniques including mRNA profiling, multicolor flow cytometry etc.Execute experiments with independence and deliver comprehensive high quality data sets to enable decision makingIdentify state of the art experimental protocols and relevant IO models and assaysKeep up with published literature centered around cancer targets and IO therapies relevant to the Takeda’s CE strategyIdentify, plans and execute well defined scientific projects and communicate program strategy and timelines to management.Use relevant information, technology and resources, contributing to complex team problem resolution and goalsLead from the bench by providing direct supervision and mentoring to junior scientistsContribute to the writing of relevant research reports to be included in regulatory filings.Ability to multi-task effectively and prioritize workloadInterpret results of complex experimentsPrepares and presents comprehensive technical or project reports and formal presentations / posters to full range of internal/external audiencesMaintain laboratory notebooks and keep in compliance with Takeda policies DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS Technical/Functional (Line) ExpertiseDemonstrate theoretical knowledge of cell engager platformsKeep current with latest trends in immune cell engagers for application in cancer therapyAble to clarify requests and provide suggestions and put data into context especially in context of assay design and quality of dataDemonstrate in-depth technical knowledge within various assay development platformsLeadershipIndependently investigate new immunological techniques, that can be applied to team projectsServe as the in vitro immunobiology lead on projects providing essential scientific feedback to advance programs in a matrixed environment.Decision-making and AutonomyIndependently manage own workloadScientifically independentProvide information to project teams to influence direction, align with departmental goals and businessInteractionConduct scientific presentations to internal audiencesCollaborate with others across sites, and acts as scientific resource for in vitro pharmacologyParticipates in and supervises external interactions and collaborations with companies and academic research groups and potential collaboratorInnovationExpected to participate in new target identification / validation processStrive towards expanding scientific knowledge in immunologyReceive high level instructions on work; determine methods on new assignments; demonstrated greater independence; may manage internsEDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:PhD 10+ years, MS with 14+ BS with 16+ years experience (industry experience preferred), Cellular Immunology, Immuno-oncology, T cell biologyCurrent knowledge of oncology research, drug discovery and development with an emphasis on immune cell activation, T cell retargeting platforms, protocols and markers for anti-tumor efficacyExperience in in vivo tumor biology and model development is required.Proficient with xenograft, syngeneic and PDX models for screening IO therapiesProficient in the isolation, culture, and functional characterization of primary human immune cells.Highly skilled with multiparameter FACS and its application in measuring T cell activation, proliferation, cytokine production and identification of immune cell subsetsHave experience with standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, Gibson assembly, cloning etc), ELISA, MSD and other standard cell based and non-cell based biochemical assaysExperience with biologics is a must (Antibodies, ADCs, Cell therapies etc)Experience leading projects and working with cross functional teamsUnderstanding of various in vitro cell based assays including effector function activity, binding, internalization, proliferation, reporter cell assays.Experience with independent critical thinking and scientific achievementUse scientific databases and application for data management and data analysis (Graph Pad Prism, Soft Max Pro,, FlowJo etc) LOCATION & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: This role is considered a hybrid position and you must be able to work onsite in Cambridge, MA on average 2-3 days per week.

WHAT TAKEDA CAN OFFER YOU: 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution PlanTuition reimbursement Company match of charitable contributionsHealth & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screeningsGenerous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation daysCommunity Outreach Programs Effective November 1, 2021, absent an approved religious or medical reason, all US office-based and lab-based Takeda employees who work fully on-site or in a hybrid model (as determined by Takeda) must be fully vaccinated to work at a Takeda site or to engage with Takeda colleagues or anyone else on behalf of Takeda.

As of the same date, absent an approved religious or medical reason, US field-based employees, employees must be fully vaccinated in order to continue in their current roles.

US employees who work at a Takeda manufacturing facility, and those who work at a BioLife center or BioLife lab, may be subject to different guidelines.

Candidates are encouraged to speak with their recruiter to seek further information on the applicable guidelines for the Business Unit/Function for which they have applied.

Empowering Our People to ShineDiscover more at takedajobs.ComNo Phone Calls or Recruiters Please.In accordance with the CO Equal Pay Act, Colorado Applicants Are Not Permitted to Apply.#LI-JT1 EEO StatementTakeda 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.LocationsBoston, MAWorker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegular Time Type Full time