Scientific Director, Pathology

This role provides scientific and strategic leadership to embed AI/ML-enabled pathology and digital pathology capabilities into Takeda’s nonclinical research workflows. The position will work with the NCSP iDigPath team to advance AI/ML applications that enable quantitative, high-content analysis of pathology data to improve sensitivity, reproducibility, and translational relevance of tissue-based endpoints.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an NCSP Project Pathologist and/or Project Toxicology representative on project teams within Global Pathology (NCSP), providing anatomic/clinical pathology and toxicology expertise and collaborating with project and cross-functional R&D leaders to support transition of programs into development.
• Lead pathology contributions to target validation and mechanism-of-action understanding through integrated interpretation of pathology, pharmacology, and biomarker data.
• Provide scientific leadership for fit-for-use qualification of AI/ML pathology tools and digital endpoints on efficacy, translational, and toxicology studies, including governance for data quality and model performance.
• Provide scientific direction and pathology expertise for IHC, ISH, and spatial endpoints, in collaboration with NCSP Investigative Pathology (iPath) and Toxicology labs (iTox), DMPK, and Drug Discovery Units.
• Perform integrative macroscopic and microscopic primary reads and peer reviews of animal tissues from toxicology, investigative, translational, and discovery studies to effectively communicate pathology and safety data (and implications) to broad audiences via study reports, regulatory documents, and project meetings; provide recommendations that inform project strategy and decisions.
• Author and review regulatory documents (BB, IND, IB, DSUR, BLA, MAA, NDA, JNDA) for technical accuracy and regulatory adequacy and provide responses to health authorities on toxicology/pathology issues, ensuring consistent, defensible scientific positions.
• Represent Takeda in local/national toxicology/pathology meetings and participate in professional society committees, working groups, and cross-industry consortia.

Requirements

• DVM (or equivalent) and Ph.D.
• Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP), European College of Veterinary Pathology (ECVP), or Japanese College of Veterinary Pathology (JCVP).
• Proficiency in veterinary anatomic and/or clinical pathology.
• 10+ years pharmaceutical drug development experience including as a project team representative and due diligence activity.
• Experience with alternative modalities specifically including oligonucleotides, antibodies and conjugates, small molecules, and alternative routes of administration is desired.
• Strong decision-making, complex problem-solving, critical data analysis, and interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability and desire to take on leadership roles.
• Working knowledge of digital pathology platforms (Halo-link, Halo, Visopharm, Patholytix, Pristima/Provantis, and Benchling ELN) and quantitative image analysis workflows.
• Track record of leading innovative or transformational initiatives, particularly in digital pathology, computational biology, or translational science.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and mentoring experience consistent with a Director-level role.

Pay

For Location: Boston, MA, the U.S. base salary range is $177,000.00 - $278,080.00. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

Benefits

• Eligibility for short-term and/or long-term incentives.
• 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 calendar year.
• New hires eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation per calendar year.

Schedule

Full time, exempt position.