Research Senior Scientist: IO Biology Cell Engagers

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Research Senior Scientist: IO Biology Cell Engagers in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

Objective / Purpose:

The Cell Engager team of Takeda's Oncology Drug Discovery Unit is seeking a highly motivated in vitro and ex vivo lab-based scientist with a background in Immunology and/or pharmacology to join a collaborative and dynamic team and contribute to pre-clinical projects within oncology research. The candidate must have in-depth knowledge of T cell Biology as well as immune dysfunctional mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment and a strong foundation in in vitro assay development. The candidate will be responsible for critical path activities with demonstrated skills in immuno-oncology drug discovery and will play a critical role in supporting key pipeline programs tied to various immune engaging mechanisms. The position will require the individual to be hands-on, and to collaborate and demonstrate effective documentation and communication of results with key stakeholders in the company. Ideal applicant will be team-oriented, possess excellent communication and organizational skills.

Accountabilities:

• Independently design and conduct various in vitro assays to assess therapeutic potential of new immune cell engager designs and platforms, ADCs or potential combination therapies
• Contribute towards new idea generation for pipeline growth and advancement
• Design and execute in vitro and ex vivo functional assays to characterize therapeutic candidates as part of the lead selection process, including target tumor antigen expression, T cell immunophenotyping, T cell dependent cytotoxicity, proliferation and cytokine release assays
• Contribute to new ideas and concept generation aligned with Cell Engager strategy and initiate investigation of new experimental approaches to specific problems using scientific theory, data from external partners, and technical literature
• Serve as the in vitro lead on projects, as needed, providing key scientific feedback to advance programs in a matrixed environment.
• Co-ordinate external collaborations with CROs as required and establish new protocols where necessary
• Execute experiments with minimum supervision and deliver comprehensive high quality data sets to enable decision making
• Isolate and phenotype key cell types such as αβ T cells, VD1 gd T cells from primary sources like leukopacks, PBMCs, skin biopsies etc
• Keep up with published literature centered around cancer targets and IO therapies relevant to the Takeda’s CE strategy
• Identify, plan and execute well defined scientific projects and communicate program strategy and timelines to management.
• Utilize relevant information, technology and resources, contributing to complex team
• Ability to multi-task effectively, prioritize and independently manage own workload
• Contribute to IND report and documentation
• Scientifically independent
• Prepare and present comprehensive technical or project reports and formal presentations
• Maintain high quality experimental documentation on laboratory notebooks and follow laboratory practices in compliance with Takeda policies

Education & Competencies :

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry or similar field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or MS with 9+ years’ experience or BS 12+ years with previous industry experience strongly preferred
• Current knowledge of oncology research, drug discovery and development with an emphasis on immune cell activation, checkpoint blockade, as well as markers for anti-tumor efficacy
• Highly skilled with multiparameter FACS and its application in measuring T cell activation, proliferation, cytokine production and identification of immune cell subsets
• Hands-on experience and ability to work with minimum supervision with standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning etc), ELISA, MSD, Incucyte and other standard cell based, and non-cell based biochemical assays is required
• Experience with biologics is a must (Antibodies, ADCs)
• Experience with cell therapies, cell engineering and gene editing is preferred
• Extensive hands-on experience and knowledge in a wide range of immunological assays using cell lines and primary immune cells to design new approaches for immune engaging mechanisms with a focus on biologics discovery and development is expected
• Proficient in the isolation, culture, and functional characterization of primary human immune cells
• Use of scientific databases and application for data management and data analysis (GraphPad Prism, Soft Max Pro, Office 365, FlowJo etc)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent team player with a can-do attitude with an ability to thrive in a dynamic “biotech-like” environment and work in cross-functional project teams
• Innovative and critical thinking
• Self-motivated, collaborative with excellent time management and organizational skills

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

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EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

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