Senior Director, AIRx Medicinal Chemistry

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan, committed to delivering innovative medicines that improve patient outcomes and quality of life. With a strong focus on oncology, gastroenterology, neuroscience, and rare diseases, Takeda combines cutting-edge science and technology with a deep dedication to patient-centric care worldwide. The company fosters a collaborative, inclusive work culture that encourages creativity, agility, and continuous learning, supporting employees across its global locations to thrive and drive groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.

This role is within Takeda Research, specifically in the Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR) group, which is designed to transform early drug discovery through the integration of AI, automation, and innovative working models. The DAR group operates as a forward-thinking unit with the goal of accelerating the delivery of differentiated medicines to the clinic faster and more cost-effectively. Within this framework, the AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) functions as a biotech-like autonomous team with the resources of a leading pharma company, focused on pioneering AI-powered drug design and discovery pipelines.

The Senior Director, AIRx Medicinal Chemistry, is a highly experienced medicinal chemist positioned at the innovative intersection of artificial intelligence and chemistry. This role is not traditional medicinal chemistry; instead, it emphasizes designing and optimizing drug candidates using deep structure-activity relationship (SAR) intuition amplified by AI and machine learning insights. As a key member of the AIRx group based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this leader will leverage advanced computational tools to evaluate generative molecular proposals, apply expert SAR judgment, and direct contract research organization (CRO) synthesis to expedite Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles. The position calls for someone who thrives in agile, lean teams and embraces the challenge of critically assessing AI outputs, improving molecular designs through a combination of human expertise and computational innovation.

The ideal candidate will have extensive drug discovery experience, particularly in lead optimization and candidate nomination, matched with a genuine curiosity about the capabilities and limitations of generative AI in drug design. They will take ownership of strategic CRO partnerships, guide synthetic chemistry programs, and embed key considerations such as selectivity, developability, and intellectual property early in the design process. Collaboration with computational chemists and structural biologists is a significant part of the role to ensure decisions are data-driven and aligned with the latest scientific insights.

This position is full-time, exempt, and currently classified as hybrid under Takeda’s work policy, requiring presence in Cambridge for part of the workweek. The salary range is competitive, reflecting the senior level of responsibility, with a base salary range of $212,000 to $333,190. Employees may also be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, disability and life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and wellness programs. Takeda is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and employment practices, fostering an environment that supports all employees regardless of background or personal characteristics.