Director, Target Validation Sciences

Takeda • Boston, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Target Validation Sciences will lead a next-generation, automation-enabled assay hub for human disease–relevant target validation. Working closely with the Lab of Tomorrow (Takeda’s lab automation and digitalization initiative), this role will transform how target validation is conducted by integrating advanced 3D disease models, organ-on-a-chip technologies, automation, and AI-enabled data analytics into scalable, decision-driving platforms. This role will contribute to and help shape the scientific direction of target validation across therapeutic areas, modernize workflows through digitalization, and support assay transfer across functions while driving the standardization and centralization of assay platforms, accelerating portfolio progression.

Requirements

• PhD required in Immunology, Molecular/Cell Biology, Pharmacology, or related discipline with 6+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience.
• Strong expertise in GI inflammatory and fibrotic biology (including IBD) and/or oncology.
• Demonstrated success in mechanism-based target validation and human disease–relevant assay development (e.g., 3D tissue culture systems, complex cellular models).
• Deep experience leading cell-based assay development for scalable target validation platforms, including assay design at the appropriate well scale and optimization for robustness, reproducibility, and transferability to automated environments.
• Experience partnering with Computer Science and Data Science teams and leveraging AI-enabled analytics to inform biological decision-making.
• Proven people leadership and cross-functional influence in a matrix environment.
• Strategic thinker with strong scientific judgment and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and grow a center of excellence for human disease–relevant assay platforms, integrating advanced 3D tissue culture systems, organ-on-chip technologies, and automation-enabled approaches to support scalable target validation.
• Own and drive cross-functional assay transfer and standardized workflows (including SOP frameworks), partnering with platform teams to ensure reproducibility, scalability, and data quality across target validation platforms.
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership in target validation for GI inflammatory/fibrotic diseases, oncology, and Neuroscience, including development of novel, disease-relevant assays that translate mechanistic biology into decision-driving data and enable pipeline progression.
• Partner closely with the Lab of Tomorrow, as well as Computer Science and Data Science teams, to integrate automation-enabled workflows, AI-driven analytics, and computational approaches into scalable target validation platforms.
• Align target validation strategies with portfolio priorities across Boston and Shonan sites, contributing to TVS leadership discussions and establishing best practices.
• Influence target progression through rigorous data interpretation and sound scientific judgment.
• Build and develop a high-performing scientific team while ensuring quality and compliance standards supporting IND-enabling activities where applicable.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree