Associate Director, Target Validation Sciences (Neuroscience), Research

Description

Better Health for People, Brighter Future for the World” is the purpose of a company. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive organization where people can thrive, grow and realize their own potential while enabling our purpose. We continue to innovate and drive changes that will transform the lives of patients. We’re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader. We are guided by our values of Takeda-ism, which has been passed down since the company’s founding. Takeda-ism incorporates and with Integrity at the core. They are brought to life through actions based on Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business, in this order.

The core mission of Target Validation Sciences (TVS) is to drive pipeline value creation and acceleration by collaborating closely with Computational Sciences (CS) and aligning with Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) therapeutic strategies, encompassing areas such as oncology, neuroscience, gastrointestinal and inflammation. TVS focuses on validating drug targets using cutting-edge biological platforms that reflect relevant human biology, consistently delivering high-quality program starts to sustain the Research goal of 5-7 high quality INDs annually.

This position engages in validating therapeutic concepts by leveraging expertise in neuroscience research. It also emphasizes fostering collaboration both internally and externally to establish advanced platforms and generate program starts, aiming for minimal post-program attrition.

Hypothesize, design and execute research activities to validate drug targets, leading sub-teams and leveraging expertise in neuroscience research and diseases fields (eg. dementia, ALS) to deliver program starts, particularly in communication with the CS and DDU teams.

Proactively collaborate with internal and external partners to introduce or utilize cutting-edge technologies, such as iPSC-derived neuron models and clincal samples.

Understand and align research strategies and goals within sub-teams, cultivating effective communication among stakeholders to ensure the delivery of impactful, high-quality program starts that contribute to Takeda’s innovation-driven research objectives.

Accountabilities :

• Strategic Leadership : Provide strategic and scientific leadership to the target validation sub-team, driving high-confidence approaches to enable high-quality program starts in the neuroscience therapeutic area, in close collaboration with internal (Shonan and Boston) and external partners.
• Innovation and Insights : Generate and propose novel scientific concepts, methodologies, or improvements by integrating insights from internal data, external collaborations, and the latest scientific literature, in partnership with key stakeholders, such as NS DDU and CS teams.
• Expert Contributions : Lead scientific discussions, contributing expert insights and guiding critical decisions as a seasoned researcher and manager in neuroscience. Scout for cutting-edge research technologies from external organizations, and work closely with internal platform teams to enhance target validation capabilities.
• Talent Development : Mentor team members and conduct performance evaluations to foster leadership behaviors, cultivate scientific excellence and build a high-performing team.
• Communication and Alignment : Clearly convey the department’s mission and vision to team members and key collaborators, ensuring alignment on objectives and timely delivery of shared goals.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion : Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive scientific culture, encouraging innovative thinking and free exchange of ideas across therapeutic areas.
• Resource Management : Optimize sub-team resources, including FTE allocation and budget management, to achieve departmental milestones efficiently and effectively.

Target Validation Science（TVS）のコアミッションは、がん、神経科学、消化器・炎症領域からなる３つの創薬ユニット（DDU）の戦略と連携し、特にComputational Science部門（CS）と密に協力しながら、パイプラインの価値創出と加速化を推進することです。TVSは、ヒト病態を反映する最先端の生物学的なプラットフォームを用いた創薬ターゲットの検証に重点を置き、研究部門の目標である年間5-7個のIND（Investigational New Drug Application）を達成するという研究目標を継続的に支えるために、質の高い創薬プログラムを着実に開始させることに注力しています。

Accountabilities :

Requirements :

Ph.D. or M.Sc. in a relevant scientific field such as cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related discipline. Expertise in neuroscience is required.

Additional post-doctoral training or relevant industry experience is preferred.

Expertise in neuroscience, with hands-on experience in experiments.

In-depth knowledge of the drug discovery process

Extensive experience in neuroscience and drug discovery technologies.

proficiency with and / or preclinical models.

Proven track record of accomplishments (publications, patents)

Expertise in project management and decision-making.

Experience in budgeting, headcount management, and resource planning.

Ability to work across multiple continents and cultures.

Excellent organizational skills and teamwork ability.

Focus on high-priority goals aligned with Takeda’s objectives.

Ability to inspire commitment and lead with influence.

Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Proactively identify potential issues and execute contingency plans.

Proficient in written and verbal communication in both Japanese and English.

Click to find out Takeda’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Better Health, Brighter Future

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary :

Allowances : Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

Salary Increase : Annually, Bonus Payment : Twice a year

Working Hours : Headquarters (Osaka / Tokyo) 9 : 00-17 : 30, Production Sites (Osaka / Yamaguchi) 8 : 00-16 : 45, (Narita) 8 : 30-17 : 15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9 : 00-17 : 45

Holidays : Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

Paid Leaves : Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

Flexible Work Styles : Flextime, Telework

Benefits : Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions :

It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

Fujisawa, Japan

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time