Takeda · 2 hours ago
Associate Director, High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry
Boston, MA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$154K/yr - $241K/yr
6+ years expTakeda is a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. The Associate Director of High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry will lead the design and optimization of mass spectrometry workflows, ensuring high-quality data generation for drug discovery processes.
BiotechnologyHealth CareManufacturingMedicalPharmaceutical
Responsibilities
Lead the design, development, and optimization of high-throughput MS workflows, with a primary focus on acoustic MS platforms for small-molecule and biotherapeutic lead profiling
Own the end-to-end lifecycle of acoustic MS methods—from feasibility and method development through validation, troubleshooting, and routine deployment
Drive continuous performance improvements in sensitivity, robustness, throughput, and cost-per-sample across MS workflows
Execute and oversee DMTA lead profiling assays, ensuring reliable, timely delivery of high-quality MS data for project teams
Adapt and translate ADME assays (e.g., solubility, permeability, metabolic stability, protein binding) to high throughput MS formats, leveraging miniaturization and automation to increase throughput and reduce cycle time
Partner with DMPK, medicinal chemistry, biology, and data science functions to align assay design and data outputs with decision-making needs across discovery programs
Collaborate closely with the Lab Automation and Transformation organization to integrate MS platforms into end-to-end automated workflows (sample preparation, plate handling, liquid handling, scheduling, data capture)
Provide scientific and technical input into the design and selection of new instruments, automation hardware, and software to support the lab of the future vision
Contribute to digitalization efforts by helping define data standards, metadata capture, and connectivity between instruments, LIMS/ELNs, and analytics platforms
Establish and maintain robust QC procedures, SOPs, and best practices for high-throughput MS operations, including system suitability and performance monitoring
Drive root-cause investigations and implement corrective actions when assay performance drifts or system issues arise
Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with Takeda quality and safety standards
Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for high-throughput and acoustic MS within the lead profiling and automation communities at Takeda
Provide training, mentorship, and technical guidance to scientists and associates on MS methods, data interpretation, and troubleshooting
Communicate clearly with interdisciplinary stakeholders, presenting complex technical topics in an accessible way to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
Qualification
Required
Expected Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field, 6+ years of relevant industry/postdoctoral experience is expected; OR M.S. with 12 years of relevant experience; OR B.S. with 14 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical / biotech R&D
Deep hands-on expertise in mass spectrometry, with a track record of developing and running high-throughput MS assays
Critical Demonstrated, hands-on experience with acoustic MS platforms (e.g., method development, optimization, troubleshooting, and routine operation)
Strong experience in quantitative bioanalytical methods for small molecules and/or biotherapeutics (e.g., direct MS, LC–MS, or acoustic MS-based quantitation)
Proven experience working with DMTA or screening workflows, preferably in lead profiling or DMPK/ADME support
Proficiency with MS data analysis tools and software
Preferred
Experience with scripting or data handling (e.g., Python, R, Spotfire)
Experience integrating MS instruments with automated sample preparation and plate handling systems (liquid handlers, robotic arms, plate stackers, schedulers)
Experience in high-content, high-throughput environments, including design-of-experiment (DoE) approaches for optimization
Familiarity with LIMS/ELN systems and data pipeline tools, including integration of instrument outputs into central data lakes or analytics platforms
Background in drug discovery lead optimization and understanding of how ADME and profiling data inform structure–activity relationships and project decisions
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision insurance
401(k) plan and company match
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Tuition reimbursement program
Paid volunteer time off
Company holidays
Well-being benefits
Up to 80 hours of sick time
Up to 120 hours of paid vacation
Company
Takeda
Takeda is a biopharmaceutical company that researches and develops pharmaceutical drugs.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Takeda has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (34)
2024 (40)
2023 (39)
2022 (34)
2021 (44)
2020 (18)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$2.46B2025-06-27Post Ipo Debt· $2.4B
2016-09-01Grant· $19.8M
2016-05-08Grant· $38M
Leadership Team
Christophe Weber
President and CEO
Schuyler Fairfield
Senior Vice President, Global Head of Supply Chain
Recent News
BioWorld Financial Watch
2025-12-21
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