Medicinal Chemistry Program Leader
About The Position
Takeda is seeking a hands-on medicinal chemistry leader at the Associate Director level to drive discovery program execution. The role leads the day-to-day design, synthesis, and progression of compounds for one or more programs, translating target and biology strategies into potent, selective, and developable molecules. The position serves as the chemistry lead on cross-functional project teams, directs internal chemists and external partners such as CROs, and is accountable for program milestones from hit-to-lead through candidate nomination. The role involves leading medicinal chemistry programs from hit identification through lead optimization and candidate nomination; designing and prioritizing compounds using SAR, structure-based and computational design, and multiparameter optimization; and working with colleagues in biology, pharmacology, DMPK, toxicology, discovery scale-up, and process chemistry. The leader prepares data packages and recommendations for program reviews and portfolio decisions, mentors junior chemists, applies new methodologies and technologies to improve design-make-test-analyze cycles, and contributes to invention disclosures and patent filings while maintaining accurate scientific records. The position is classified as hybrid under Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a regular, full-time employee position.
Requirements
- PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline with 6+ years of pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience in medicinal chemistry; or MS with 12+ years; or BS with 14+ years.
- Proven track record of contributing to or leading discovery programs that advanced compounds to candidate nomination or the clinic.
- Strong understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, SAR, drug design, and the interplay of potency, ADME, pharmacokinetics, and physical properties.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional project teams and drive execution against timelines and milestones.
- Experience directing, mentoring, and developing chemists, including work with external CRO partners.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to a broad audience.
- Strong analytical skills, a proactive approach to challenges, adaptability to changing priorities, and sound decision-making with incomplete data.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in a large pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, including managing programs across internal and external sites.
- Experience in oncology, neuroscience, or inflammation.
- Experience with small-molecule modalities beyond traditional compounds, such as macrocycles, peptides, or degraders.
- Publication record in medicinal chemistry or related fields and named inventor on patent filings.
Responsibilities
- Lead medicinal chemistry programs from hit identification through lead optimization and candidate nomination, delivering agreed milestones, timelines, and candidate criteria.
- Design and prioritize compounds using structure-activity relationships, structure-based and computational design, and multiparameter optimization of potency, selectivity, ADME, and safety properties.
- Serve as the chemistry lead on cross-functional teams with biology, pharmacology, DMPK, and toxicology, and communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to the team and management.
- Direct internal chemists and CRO-based teams by setting priorities, reviewing synthetic plans and data, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery within program budget and resources.
- Partner with discovery scale-up and process chemistry colleagues to ensure synthetic tractability and timely material supply for in vivo and other key studies.
- Prepare data packages and recommendations for program reviews and portfolio decisions, including go/no-go decisions and candidate nomination.
- Mentor and develop junior chemists, sharing best practices in design, synthesis, and data interpretation.
- Apply methodologies and technologies such as computational design, parallel synthesis, and automation to improve design-make-test-analyze cycle speed and quality.
- Contribute to invention disclosures and patent filings and maintain accurate, well-documented scientific records.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
