Scientist I, Investigative Toxicology

About the Role

Develop and deliver automated in vitro and AI/ML toxicology models to deliver safer & more effective medicines to patients, faster. AI/ML models will integrate knowledge of drug candidate target, structure and advanced in vitro models to accelerate and improve drug candidate safety assessment. Your primary responsibility will be to deliver decision-making data to accelerate the delivery of quality drug candidates to IND.

Key Responsibilities

Using Automation, AI & machine learning, you will:

• Work as part of a global team of safety assessment scientists to detect and de-risk toxicities associated with Takeda assets.
• Deliver key data via screening strategies that enable early safety assessment to drive the progression of optimized therapeutic candidates.
• Conduct cell-based in vitro assays to characterize toxicities for medicines in discovery & development.
• Develop novel in vitro model systems to assess safety risks associated with Takeda assets.
• Use AI/ML to develop, design, execute, and interpret in vitro cell-based assays to characterize diverse mechanisms of toxicity with a focus on oncology, neuroscience, and GI therapeutics.
• Perform tissue culture of immortalized cancer cell lines and human primary cells using both manual and automated techniques.
• Prepare experimental protocols, analyse experimental data, and present study results.
• Facilitate integration of AI/ML within investigative toxicology and with key collaborators, including pharmacology, DMPK, and bioinformatics.
• Leverage automated platforms to run routine, well-established screening assays to prioritize assets based on safety.
• Partner with automation and technology teams to drive innovative approaches to leverage technology for highly efficient assay running and apply cutting-edge techniques.
• Initiate new experimental approaches to specific problems using scientific theory and technical literature.
• Use defined practices and theoretical knowledge to perform analysis, interpret results, and determine appropriate action.
• Utilize relevant information, technology, and resources to contribute to complex team problem resolution and objectives.
• Prepare and present comprehensive technical or project reports and formal presentations/posters.
• Follow good documentation practices.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• AI/ML tools for in vitro data analysis.
• Experience working in a matrixed team environment at a pharmaceutical company and/or CRO.
• Basic experience with molecular biology techniques, including RNA/DNA extraction, qPCR, and western blot.
• Natural aptitude for technology, instrumentation and automation.
• Broad scientific knowledge in molecular and cellular biology, immunology, pharmacology, or toxicology.
• Expertise with standard aseptic cell culture techniques, including experience culturing various cell types.
• Experience with R, Python, and other coding languages is a plus.
• Broad experience with cell-based functional assays.
• Experience with cell transfection/transduction, imaging, and flow cytometry is a plus.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 0–1 years, MS with 6+ years, or BS with 8+ years of experience in biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• Experience culturing and differentiating primary cells is a plus.
• Self-motivated with strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and remain flexible with changing priorities.
• Highly collaborative.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Location

• Boston, MA

Worker Type

• Employee
• Worker Sub-Type: Regular
• Time Type: Full time