Research Senior Scientist, Global Sample Management
Takeda
Summary
The Global Sample Management team plays a critical role in advancing drug discovery by ensuring the integrity, availability, traceability, and precise handling of research samples that support Takeda's research and development pipeline. As a Research Senior Scientist, you will provide scientific and technical leadership in sample management, laboratory automation, and informatics while driving the development of scalable, high-quality operational solutions.
Job description
How you will contribute
- Provide scientific and technical leadership for the planning, development, execution, and optimization of complex sample preparation and distribution workflows.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in sample management systems, LIMS, inventory management, and laboratory automation technologies.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, traceability, and quality of compound and sample data throughout the sample lifecycle.
- Design, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize integrated automation workflows involving liquid handlers, storage platforms, scheduling software, and informatics systems.
- Lead root-cause investigations and develop solutions that improve reliability, throughput, quality, and scalability of automated processes.
- Partner with scientists, automation specialists, informatics teams, and external vendors to develop innovative and scalable solutions that support evolving research needs.
- Establish and maintain standard operating procedures, technical documentation, and best practices that ensure compliant and efficient operations.
- Evaluate, test, qualify, and deploy new technologies, software platforms, and automation capabilities.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase operational efficiency, standardization, data integrity, and sample quality.
- Provide technical mentorship, training, and guidance to colleagues while supporting complex technical and operational challenges.
- Lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives that strengthen Global Sample Management capabilities and support broader R&D objectives.
- Communicate technical findings, project outcomes, and strategic recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
What you bring to Takeda
- PhD in a scientific, engineering, automation, or related discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; or MS with 8+ years of relevant experience; or BS with 10+ years of relevant experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in designing, developing, implementing, and optimizing robotic sample storage, liquid-handling, and laboratory automation systems.
- Deep knowledge of sample management informatics, LIMS, inventory management platforms, and their integration with laboratory automation and research systems.
- Advanced experience troubleshooting complex automated workflows, including hardware, software, data, integration, and process-related issues.
- Strong understanding of sample management processes, data integrity principles, sample traceability requirements, and industry best practices.
- Experience designing and integrating automation platforms with scheduling, orchestration, LIMS, and data management systems to support scalable operations.
- Proven ability to provide technical leadership, mentorship, and end-user training.
- Track record of leading innovation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reliability, quality, standardization, and scalability.
- Ability to independently lead complex technical projects, manage competing priorities, and apply sound scientific and technical judgment.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and operational requirements into practical business solutions.
Requirements
- PhD in a scientific, engineering, automation, or related discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; or MS with 8+ years of relevant experience; or BS with 10+ years of relevant experience
- Demonstrated expertise in designing, developing, implementing, and optimizing robotic sample storage, liquid-handling, and laboratory automation systems
- Deep knowledge of sample management informatics, LIMS, inventory management platforms, and their integration with laboratory automation and research systems
- Advanced experience troubleshooting complex automated workflows, including hardware, software, data, integration, and process-related issues
- Strong understanding of sample management processes, data integrity principles, sample traceability requirements, and industry best practices
- Experience designing and integrating automation platforms with scheduling, orchestration, LIMS, and data management systems to support scalable operations
- Proven ability to provide technical leadership, mentorship, and end-user training
- Track record of leading innovation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reliability, quality, standardization, and scalability
- Ability to independently lead complex technical projects, manage competing priorities, and apply sound scientific and technical judgment
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and operational requirements into practical business solutions
Benefits
- Base Salary Range $137,000 - $215,270
Company overview
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is a Japanese multinational pharmaceutical company founded in 1781 and incorporated in 1925. As one of the world's top 20 largest pharmaceutical companies by revenue and the third largest in Asia, Takeda specializes in developing and commercializing innovative medicines across several therapeutic areas including oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience, gastroenterology, plasma-derived therapies, and vaccines. With approximately 49,095 employees globally, the company operates research and development centers, manufacturing facilities, and commercial operations across 39 U.S. states and numerous countries worldwide. Takeda maintains dual headquarters in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, with significant operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it serves as the largest life sciences employer in the state. The company's patient-focused approach is guided by its Takeda-ism values of Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance, emphasizing a commitment to delivering life-transforming treatments while advancing sustainable healthcare solutions. Takeda's extensive portfolio includes both innovative biologics and small molecule drugs, supported by strategic acquisitions and partnerships that have expanded its capabilities in areas such as immuno-oncology and rare disease treatments.