Head of Automated Small Molecule Synthesis

Takeda is a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and delivering innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of patients worldwide. With a strong focus on research and development, Takeda operates at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, particularly in the areas of oncology, gastroenterology, and neuroscience. The company emphasizes a patient-centric approach and leverages cutting-edge science and technology to create transformative therapies that meet unmet medical needs. Takeda fosters a culture of integrity, fairness, honesty, and perseverance, ensuring that all scientific and operational activities uphold these core values. This commitment to excellence and ethical conduct has positioned Takeda as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Research Scientific Director, Head of Automated Small Molecule Synthesis, plays a critical leadership role within Takeda's R&D division based in Cambridge, MA. This full-time Director-level position is a cornerstone of the Digital Discovery & Development Engine, an initiative aimed at revolutionizing small molecule discovery through automation and artificial intelligence. The individual in this role will spearhead Takeda’s Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR) efforts by designing and implementing highly efficient, AI-integrated Design–Make–Test–Analyze (DMTA) cycles that accelerate small molecule synthesis and testing processes. They will lead the development and deployment of fully automated robotic platforms that enable rapid and reliable generation of compound sets, thus expediting decision-making across the company’s discovery portfolio.

This role requires close collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams including medicinal chemistry, in-vitro pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), data science, artificial intelligence, computational chemistry, and automation engineering. The Research Scientific Director will integrate retrosynthetic planning, route design, and chemical reaction miniaturization to deliver innovative solutions that improve throughput, reduce cycle times, and enhance the quality of outcomes. As a change champion, this leader will promote digital-first methodologies and automated approaches, advancing Takeda’s vision of a Lab of the Future.

Key responsibilities include defining automation strategies aligned with organizational goals, prioritizing investments in equipment and software, designing end-to-end automated workflows for synthesis and purification, ensuring reproducibility and traceability, and integrating advanced technologies such as liquid-handling robotics, continuous flow chemistry, and smart reactors. The position also involves driving reliability engineering, preventive maintenance, laboratory safety, compliance, and overseeing change control and risk management processes. The successful candidate will engage externally through patents, publications, and conference participation, contributing to the broader scientific community while fostering internal data governance to support continuous learning within Takeda’s discovery portfolio.

The position requires a highly experienced professional with a Ph.D. in Organic or Medicinal Chemistry (or related field) and a minimum of 10 years' experience, or equivalent experience with an M.S. or B.S. degree in pharmaceutical or biotech R&D. The ideal candidate possesses deep medicinal chemistry expertise, proficiency with automated synthesis platforms, and proven leadership in managing cross-functional R&D teams. Exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence senior leaders are essential, as is a track record of driving transformative change in complex, global research environments.

Based in Cambridge, MA, this role offers a competitive U.S. base salary range of $177,000 to $278,080, complemented by short-term and long-term incentives and comprehensive benefits. Takeda emphasizes equitable pay practices and provides an inclusive and diverse workplace that values the unique contributions of all employees. This opportunity represents a chance to lead innovation at the intersection of automation, AI, and medicinal chemistry within one of the world’s most respected biopharmaceutical companies.