Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Research

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 in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

Objective / Purpose:

The Gastrointestinal and Inflammation (GI2) Drug Discovery Unit at Takeda is building a team of experienced, innovative, and collaborative researchers to deliver an industry-leading portfolio of drugs for various inflammatory diseases with high unmet medical needs.

We are seeking a Director of IBD Research to join our biology and cross-functional discovery teamsand create novel drug candidates. The Director of IBD Disease Research will:

• Be responsible for driving internal and external partnered research from new target identification, and technology platform development through early clinical proof-of-concept, to create therapeutic opportunities for patients with GI Inflammatory diseases.
• Recruit, retain, and develop a world class, highly innovative Inflammation research group.
• Be a strong scientific thinker with significant experience leading discovery and development of therapies for GI diseases.
• Lead the identification of novel innovative inflammation drug discovery and developmental science through the preclinical pipeline in support of candidate selection, as a key part of this role.
• Be accountable for defining and alignment on the preclinical and early clinical inflammation disease research elements for one or more drug discovery projects in partnership with other research leaders.
• Interface with the business development group and review innovative external opportunities.
• Help maintain the Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication, collaboration, collegiality, and a high sense of urgency. Maintain the highest quality of scientific foundations of the company’s drug discovery process.

Accountabilities:

• In collaboration with internal and external partners, lead research programs focused on the development of novel drug candidates for the treatment of IBD and other GI inflammatory diseases.

• Have extensive experience developing and/or evaluating novel small molecule, biologic or nucleic acid therapeutics.

• Support, evaluate and/or identify business development opportunities to enhance project and/or pipeline progression.

• Be a highly collaborative and energetic scientist with superior communication skills, who can balance multiple, collaborative projects and act as senior scientific consultant to and leader of early-stage matrixed project teams.
• Prioritizes helping others to enhance their skills and perform at a higher level.
• Build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with other interfacing Takeda functions

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

• PhD degree in Immunology or a closely related discipline with 10+ years’ experience
• 6 years desired minimum years industry experience
• 2 years minimum years management experience
• Desired technical skills
  • Highly knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects drug discovery and development for Inflammatory or Autoimmune diseases through to proof of concept, including contributing to regulatory documentation.
  • Experienced with validation of drug targets and the exploratory drug development process with a proven track record of developing and leading innovative therapeutic programs in the biopharmaceutical industry.
  • Extensive experience developing and/or evaluating novel small molecule, biologic or nucleic acid therapeutics.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Desired behavioral competencies
  • Forward thinking with the ability to recommend, influence and implement organizational change and continuous innovation.
  • Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with other interfacing Takeda functions.
  • Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions.
  • Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market.
  • Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company.

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