Research Scientist

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Job Description

Objective / Purpose:

You will report to the Director, Target Validation Sciences and contribute to the Assay Hub team responsible for generating human disease-relevant evidence to support target validation and research decisions across therapeutic areas. Working within multidisciplinary teams, you will leverage advanced in vitro model systems, including 3D culture systems, organoids, microphysiological systems, and organ-on-chip technologies, to investigate disease biology and evaluate therapeutic hypotheses. You will independently design and execute studies, develop and optimize assays, analyze data, and collaborate with biology, automation, and data science partners to generate robust evidence that informs target progression decisions.

Accountabilities: 

• Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret studies using advanced human disease-relevant model systems, including 3D cellular systems, organoids, microphysiological platforms, and organ-on-chip technologies.
• Develop, optimize, and characterize target validation assays that translate mechanistic hypotheses into decision-enabling datasets.
• Apply disease biology expertise to evaluate target mechanisms and contribute to target validation strategies across one or more therapeutic areas.
• Collaborate with therapeutic area scientists to define scientific questions, prioritize experiments, and deliver actionable data packages supporting project decisions.
• Partner with Automation teams to improve assay robustness, reproducibility, scalability, and readiness for automated workflows.
• Collaborate with Computational Sciences and Data Science colleagues to support quantitative data analysis and biological interpretation.
• Contribute to development and implementation of standardized assay workflows, SOPs, documentation practices, and quality controls.
• Present results and scientific recommendations to cross-functional teams and contribute to reports, publications, and scientific communications.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in advanced disease modeling and target validation and evaluate their applicability to ongoing projects.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral): 

Education:

• Expected: PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Sciences, or related discipline with postdoctoral and/or relevant industry experience; or
• MS with 6+ years experience; or 
• BS with 8+ years experience.

Competencies:

• Technical / Functional Expertise
• Demonstrated knowledge of disease biology and target validation, with hands-on experience in advanced in vitro model systems including 3D cultures, organoids, microphysiological systems, and/or organ-on-chip platforms. 
• Applies expertise in cellular and molecular biology, assay development, experimental design, troubleshooting, and data interpretation to generate decision-enabling scientific evidence. 
• Maintains scientific rigor, data quality, and reproducibility while contributing to assay standardization and workflow improvement.
• Leadership
• Independently plans and executes scientific projects and effectively contributes to multidisciplinary team objectives.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration and project engagement across biology, automation, engineering, computational sciences, and data science functions.
• Contributes scientific expertise and recommendations to project discussions and decision-making. 
• Decision-Making & Autonomy
• Independently manages workload, experimental priorities, and execution of assigned projects.
• Applies sound scientific judgment to analyze complex data, draw conclusions, and determine appropriate next steps.
• Determines methods and approaches for scientific assignments with general managerial guidance. 
• Interaction
• Collaborates effectively with therapeutic area and platform teams to address scientific questions and generate actionable data. 
• Communicates scientific findings through reports, presentations, and team discussions. 
• Builds productive working relationships across cross-functional teams.
• Innovation
• Evaluates and applies emerging technologies and methodologies relevant to disease modeling and target validation.
• Contributes to development of SOPs, best practices, and scalable assay workflows.
  • Maintains awareness of advances in disease biology, translational research, and advanced model systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with automated laboratory workflows and high-content or high-throughput assay platforms.
• Experience with statistical analysis and computational tools for biological data interpretation.
• Experience contributing to assay standardization, SOP development, and reproducibility initiatives.

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:

$116,000.00 - $182,270.00

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. 

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. 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

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.