Research Senior Scientist, Antibody Discovery & Engineering, In Vivo Based Methods

$133,000 - $133,000/Yr

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company - Boston, MA

Full-time - Senior

Boston, MA

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide. As a Senior Scientist, you will utilize state-of-the-art discovery technology to create novel treatments that significantly impact patients' lives in the fields of Oncology, Gastroenterology, and Neuroscience. Your core responsibility will be to contribute to the swift and efficient discovery of biologic therapeutics using in vivo based approaches. This role requires deep scientific engagement and involvement in programs, defining the best path forward based on therapeutic needs, designing immunization strategies, performing immunizations and animal handling, and conducting high-throughput antibody discovery using technologies such as single B cell cloning coupled with NGS. You will need to be familiar with associated screening workflows and data analysis, possessing a sound knowledge of B cell biology, humoral immunity, and immunoglobulin genetics. Familiarity with basic building block biologics such as IgG, Fab, and sdAb, as well as the ability to design and optimize lead candidates using display-based technologies (yeast, phage) will also be part of your responsibilities. As part of the Biotherapeutic Engineering team, you will report to the Senior Director and work closely with cross-functional project team members to make data-driven decisions that impact the pipeline. Recognizing and streamlining the most efficient ways of working is a high priority in this role, which requires tremendous drive and motivation to deliver and exceed team and program goals while pushing the boundaries to enhance discovery and optimization. Networking and collaborating effectively within the team is critical for optimal performance and engagement, as you will be part of a team of motivated and enthusiastic scientists in the Cambridge, MA location, bringing strong experience in antibody/biologic discovery to the team.

Responsibilities

• Provide and lead thoughtful guidance on strategies towards candidate profiles for differing target types, including discovery and optimization/engineering approaches to enhance properties.
• Strategize, optimize, and perform B cell separation and refined enrichment techniques for antigen-specific antibody screening, including plasma and memory B cell sorting.
• Continually improve single-cell RT-PCR, PCR, molecular cloning, and BCR sequence analysis to harvest variable antibody regions for expression, NGS, and/or repertoire cloning into display platforms.
• Collaborate effectively with high-throughput mammalian expression teams for downstream work, defining overall triage funnels and steps.
• Work closely with NGS discovery team to apply NGS based analysis throughout the discovery process and lead for change in establishing the best feedback loop of discovery/optimization for therapeutics.
• Construct immune-based repertoires from animal sources for manipulation in display-based platforms from discovery through optimization.
• Involve in the design of maturation libraries for display platforms leveraging datasets, experience, and software to improve lead candidates.
• Manage sequence analysis through state-of-the-art tools for deep understanding and performance of campaigns.
• Work with data analysis tools to ensure thorough evaluation of datasets and information-based decision making, summarizing and presenting findings to teams.
• Oversee and manage workflows with third parties and/or CROs where appropriate.
• Serve as an effective point of contact for discovery programs, collaborating and interacting with team members and other internal groups for high efficiency and transparency.
• Identify areas to improve efficiency, perform technology development to bring new innovation to the team.
• Independently design, develop and execute research assignments and contribute to multiple projects in parallel.
• Work efficiently with a sense of urgency to meet program and team needs, setting high standards for effectiveness of execution, efficiency, and rigor of thought.

Requirements

• PhD degree in a scientific discipline (or equivalent) with 2+ years relevant experience, or MS with 8+ years relevant experience, or BS with 10+ years relevant experience.
• Excellent experience of in vivo immunization strategies and handling antibody discovery platforms, specifically single B cell cloning, with adeptness in FACS based sorting strategies.
• Excellent knowledge of antibody discovery and engineering, B cell biology, humoral immunity, and immunoglobulin genetics.
• Good familiarity with antibody repertoire analysis- NGS data handling and analysis from either in vivo or in vitro sources.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with 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 per year
• Accrual of up to 120 hours of paid vacation for new hires