Full-Time

Associate Scientific Fellow

Process Chemistry

Updated on 9/3/2026

Takeda

Takeda

10,001+ employees

Global biopharmaceutical firm; R&D-driven NMEs

Compensation Overview

$154.4k - $242.6k/yr

+ Short-term incentives + Long-term incentives + 401(k) company match

Cambridge, MA, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid role with approximately 5–10% travel.

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Category
Biology & Biotech (1)
Required Skills
Process Engineering
GMP
Data Analysis

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Requirements
  • A Bachelor's degree and 15 or more years of relevant industry experience, a Master's degree and 13 or more years of relevant industry experience, or a PhD and 7 or more years of relevant industry experience.
  • Extensive experience in current Good Manufacturing Practices pharmaceutical development for active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products.
  • Deep technical expertise in synthetic molecule process chemistry and late-stage process development.
  • A proven record of significant technical contributions and scientific leadership within pharmaceutical development.
  • Experience working in multidisciplinary, cross-functional environments with accountability for influencing program, departmental, or functional strategy.
  • A strong understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices and their application to process development and manufacturing.
  • Advanced scientific reasoning to diagnose complex technical issues, assess risk, and develop data-driven solutions under conditions of uncertainty.
  • Recognized specialist expertise in one or more areas of process chemistry, with the ability to apply deep mechanistic understanding to complex synthetic and process challenges.
  • The ability to partner across global, multidisciplinary teams to integrate diverse perspectives and drive program outcomes.
  • The ability to communicate complex scientific concepts clearly to a range of audiences and produce high-quality technical documentation.
  • The ability to prioritize and manage multiple scientific and program objectives in alignment with project timelines and organizational goals.
Responsibilities
  • Provide scientific leadership in synthetic molecule process development as a recognized technical expert within Process Chemistry, SMPD, and Pharm Sci.
  • Provide in-lab mentorship and technical guidance to colleagues by modeling best practices, reviewing technical approaches, and strengthening organizational capability.
  • Lead and execute complex scientific strategies across multiple late-stage programs through personal laboratory work and guidance of internal and external teams.
  • Design and advance robust, scalable drug substance manufacturing processes aligned with safety, sustainability, cost, and quality objectives.
  • Own technical responsibility for one or more programs or key initiatives and integrate process understanding into development and manufacturing readiness.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate scientific and process risks to enable informed decision-making under uncertainty.
  • Develop and implement innovative solutions to complex synthetic and process challenges using emerging technologies and industry best practices.
  • Collaborate across SMPD, Pharm Sci, and commercial manufacturing partners to support technology transfer and lifecycle process development.
  • Lead and manage external partnerships, including contract development and manufacturing organizations, academic collaborators, and consultants.
  • Analyze experimental data and process trends to build mechanistic understanding, extract insights, and define process strategies.
  • Contribute to departmental and functional scientific strategy, including identifying and developing new capabilities and technology platforms.
  • Initiate and lead cross-functional or discipline-focused initiatives to address technical gaps and create broader organizational impact.
  • Represent the function internally and externally through technical leadership in multidisciplinary teams, publications, patents, and scientific conferences.
  • Maintain and expand personal scientific expertise and external networks to support innovation and thought leadership within Process Chemistry.

Takeda is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and delivering medicines and vaccines to improve patient health. It relies on extensive research and development to create new molecular entities (NMEs) and bring them to market, aiming for up to 15 product launches through FY2024 from a pipeline of 11 NMEs. Revenue comes mainly from selling pharmaceutical products, supported by about 41,000 third-party suppliers worldwide. The company differentiates itself through a deep history (over 240 years), a broad portfolio of global brands, and a patient-centric approach that places patients’ needs at the center of its operations while pursuing environmental sustainability. Takeda’s goal is to advance health globally by turning scientific innovations into accessible therapies, maintaining long-term growth through steady product innovation and responsible operations.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Founded

1781

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • August 2026 FDA approval of MIMRYLO opened a new U.S. polycythemia vera franchise.
  • ORZEYFUL won U.S., Japan, and China approvals in August 2026, accelerating commercialization.
  • Takeda maintained FY2026 guidance after Q1 2026, with 22.6% growth from new launches.

What critics are saying

  • The May 18, 2026 Amitiza verdict imposed $884.9 million damages, tripling on judgment.
  • Takeda's March 2026 restructuring cuts 4,500 jobs, signaling margin pressure and execution disruption.
  • If ORZEYFUL, MIMRYLO, and zasocitinib underperform, Takeda's mature-brands decline crushes growth.

What makes Takeda unique

  • Takeda’s 2026 launches target first-in-class mechanisms: MIMRYLO, ORZEYFUL, and zasocitinib.
  • Takeda built rare Japan-to-global R&D depth, with oveporexton approved in China, U.S., Japan.
  • Takeda paired discovery teams with Boltz in 2026, embedding AI across research.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Yahoo Finance
Aug 31st, 2026
Takeda wins FDA approval for first-in-class blood cancer drug, triggering $275M payment to Protagonist

The FDA approved Takeda Pharmaceutical's MIMRYLO (rusfertide) for polycythemia vera, a blood cancer causing red blood cell overproduction. The first-in-class drug functions as a hepcidin mimetic, regulating iron distribution to control hematocrit levels and prevent life-threatening complications like strokes and pulmonary embolisms. Approval was based on the Phase 3 VERIFY study involving 293 patients. Those receiving MIMRYLO alongside standard care achieved superior hematocrit control, reduced phlebotomy needs, and improved fatigue compared to placebo. Takeda commercialises MIMRYLO under a 2024 agreement with Protagonist Therapeutics, which discovered the drug. The approval triggers $275 million in payments to Protagonist—a $200 million opt-out fee plus $75 million milestone. Protagonist remains eligible for up to $875 million in additional milestones and tiered royalties of 14% to 29% on worldwide net sales.

Associated Press
Aug 28th, 2026
US FDA approves Takeda's Mimrylo for polycythemia vera treatment

Takeda has received US FDA approval for MIMRYLO (rusfertide), a first-in-class treatment for erythrocytosis in adults with polycythemia vera (PV), a blood cancer. The drug is a hepcidin mimetic that regulates iron distribution and red blood cell overproduction to control hematocrit levels. The approval was supported by the Phase 3 VERIFY study involving 293 PV patients. Results showed MIMRYLO plus standard care demonstrated higher response rates than placebo, including better hematocrit control, reduced phlebotomy needs, and improved fatigue scores. PV affects approximately 90,000 people in the US. An estimated 78% of patients experience uncontrolled hematocrit with current standard care. The most common adverse events were injection site reactions and anaemia. MIMRYLO is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection. Takeda is working with regulators outside the US for potential global availability.

Associated Press
Aug 24th, 2026
Japan approves Orzeyful as first medicine targeting narcolepsy type 1's underlying cause

Takeda announced Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved ORZEYFUL (oveporexton) for treating narcolepsy type 1 in adults. The oral medication is the first to address the underlying orexin deficiency causing the disease, rather than just managing individual symptoms. Narcolepsy type 1 is a chronic neurological condition characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, disrupted sleep, and other symptoms that significantly impact patients' daily lives. Diagnostic delays average more than 10 years. The approval follows global Phase 3 trials showing statistically significant improvements across the full range of symptoms. Common side effects included insomnia, urinary urgency and frequency, and excessive saliva. ORZEYFUL is also approved in China and the United States. Takeda developed the first-in-class orexin receptor 2 agonist in its Japanese laboratories and plans to launch the treatment quickly.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 5th, 2026
FDA approves Takeda's Orzeyful, first medicine to treat underlying cause of narcolepsy type 1

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Takeda's ORZEYFUL (oveporexton) for treating narcolepsy type 1 in adults. The oral medication is the first orexin receptor 2 agonist approved to address the underlying cause of the disease rather than individual symptoms. Narcolepsy type 1 is a chronic neurological disease affecting approximately 120,000 people in the US. It is driven by orexin deficiency and causes excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, cognitive symptoms and disrupted sleep. Clinical trials showed adults taking ORZEYFUL experienced significant improvements across the full range of symptoms compared to placebo. Takeda is preparing for the US launch, which will proceed following completion of the Drug Enforcement Administration scheduling process. The company describes the approval as potentially redefining how narcolepsy type 1 is managed.

GeekWire
Jul 31st, 2026
AI drug developer Accipiter Bio quietly tops up seed round with $10.5M

Seattle-based biotech startup Accipiter Biosciences has raised an additional $10.5 million, less than a year after emerging from stealth with $12.7 million. The funding, from existing investors including Flying Fish Partners and Takeda, will accelerate the company's drug development programmes. The startup uses AI tools developed at the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design to engineer proteins that can bind multiple cellular targets simultaneously. The company has expanded to 22 employees, including researchers who worked under Nobel laureate David Baker. Accipiter Bio has partnerships with Pfizer and Gilead Sciences-owned Kite Pharma, with potential milestone payments exceeding $330 million. The additional funding will enable the company to advance three or four drug candidates into clinical trials, focusing on immunology and oncology.