AIRx, Senior Director, DMPK & Modeling Lead

Job Description

Takeda Research is constructing a Lab of Tomorrow 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. Two complementary units—AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR)—are being created to catalyze these efforts.

Objectives / Purpose

• Create and lead the AIRx DMPK & Modeling function within an externalized, AI‑powered discovery model.
• Establish the quantitative and mechanistic foundation that drives portfolio decisions, integrating ADME, PK, PBPK/QSP, and AI‑enabled modeling to guide programs from target hypothesis to clinical hypothesis.
• Define how modeling is used to enable rapid, high‑confidence decision‑making.

Profile

The AIRx DMPK & Modeling Lead combines extensive scientific and strategic expertise in DMPK and modeling with the agility to thrive in an externalized, AI‑powered operating model. Candidates should have depth and pragmatism in DMPK and modeling and the ability to direct and integrate quantitative data and decisions at speed across diverse modalities, including small molecules and biotherapeutics.

Responsibilities

Direct CRO partners with precision and accountability to generate high‑quality, interpretable data that feeds into AI‑powered DMTA cycles and connects experimental biology to translational strategy and clinical outcomes.

Accountabilities

• Portfolio-level impact across AIRx programs
• Quantitative Strategy & Decision Leadership : Owns the DMPK, PK/PD, and modeling strategy across the AIRx portfolio. Ensures robust human PK and dose projections, clear exposure–target engagement–efficacy/safety hypotheses, and quantitative line of sight to clinical success. Drives model‑informed decision‑making (MIDD) and establishes biomarker and modeling frameworks that link preclinical data to clinical outcomes.
• AI‑Enabled Modeling & DMTA Integration : Embeds DMPK & modeling into AI‑enabled DMTA cycles, ensuring rapid iteration and learning. Integrates ADME, PK, PBPK, mechanistic (QSP) models, and AI/ML predictions, producing decision‑ready, interpretable outputs.
• Design and oversee CRO‑based DMPK and modeling activities : Builds scalable workflows for externalized, AI‑enabled DMPK operations and ensures reproducible, high‑quality data packages aligned with modeling needs.
• Challenge scientific assumptions across the team to uphold DMPK integrity and mechanistic depth.
• Represent DMPK perspectives at Takeda governance forums and contribute to IND‑enabling packages.

Technical / Functional Expertise

• Strong expertise in ADME, PK, PK/PD and mechanistic modeling across the pharmaceutical or biotech industry from early discovery to development.

Education, Behavioral Competencies and Skills

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with 12–15+ years of industry experience in pharmaceutical DMPK and modeling.
• Proven contributions to IND filings and experience supporting IND‑enabling DMPK packages.
• Track record designing and managing externalized CRO DMPK programs; ability to scope, oversee, and critically interpret study data.
• Ability to connect DMPK to clinical hypothesis and translational strategy.
• Experience with AI/ML data integration and 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; operates effectively in a lean, fast‑paced team.

Additional Information

• Position will be based in Cambridge, MA and is classified as hybrid under Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

Compensation and Benefits Summary

U.S. Base Salary Range: $212,000.00 – $333,190.00. Salary may vary based on qualifications, experience, skills, education, and location. U.S. employees may be eligible for short‑term and/or long‑term incentives and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, disability coverage, basic life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, sick time, and 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