Job Description

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

Organization Overview:

The Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) organization is responsible for the development of synthetic drug substances and drug products from the pre-clinical phase through commercialization. Our scientists and engineers develop innovative technical solutions to advance an exciting portfolio that includes small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and other emerging therapeutic modalities spanning oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and metabolic diseases. By cultivating a hardworking, culturally diverse workforce that exhibits deep technical expertise, SMDD delivers on these responsibilities and helps bring the next generation of life-changing medicines to patients. This is an exceptional time to join SMDD and help shape the future of pharmaceutical development.

About This Opportunity:

SMDD has an exciting opportunity for an Advisor, Analytical Chemistry to join our collaborative team as an individual contributor in a primarily laboratory-based role. This position uniquely positions you at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, working hands-on across multiple cutting-edge modalities (oligonucleotides, peptides, and small molecules) while directly impacting patient lives through medicines that advance from bench to bedside.

As a lab-based scientist empowered by access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms, structured mentorship programs, and extensive pharmaceutical development experience spanning the entire drug lifecycle, you will conduct hands-on experimental work while shaping analytical strategies for some of the most promising therapeutic advances in the industry. SMDD scientists gain versatile technical expertise highly valued throughout pharmaceutical development—experience that accelerates career growth and opens doors to senior scientist roles and technical leadership opportunities. Our collaborative team values diverse perspectives, supports work-life integration, and celebrates both scientific rigor and creative problem-solving.

Position Responsibilities:

As an individual contributor, analytical scientists in SMDD enable the comprehensive characterization of materials and processes necessary to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of Lilly's medicines through direct laboratory work. This responsibility requires hands-on contribution to the development of analytical methodology, execution of experiments to generate key data, and support of regulatory documents (e.g., IND, NDA).

Scientists in this position are expected to:

• Perform hands-on laboratory work to support the design, development, and implementation of product control strategies for oligonucleotide, peptide, and/or small molecule programs, directly enabling clinical milestones and regulatory submissions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in multiple analytical technologies through daily laboratory work, with an emphasis on chromatography and mass spectrometry. Operate cutting-edge instrumentation and apply emerging analytical techniques.
• Execute analytical method development, generate data to justify specifications, conduct stability studies, perform starting material testing for synthetic processes, identify and characterize impurities, and test drug product performance characteristics (e.g., dissolution/disintegration).
• Conduct hands-on laboratory research to support internal process development in a fast-paced environment. This includes experimental design, sample preparation and analysis, instrument operation and troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Provide technical input for analytical activities executed within the external network. Review methods to ensure they are technically sound, well developed, and fit for purpose. Support technology transfer to CRO/CMO organizations and Lilly manufacturing sites.
• Identify and implement innovative laboratory solutions to development challenges, monitor emerging trends in analytical chemistry, and maintain familiarity with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills; effectively convey technical results and implications of laboratory data; collaborate with development partners across regulatory, clinical, and manufacturing functions; contribute to internal technical reports and regulatory submission documents.
• With experience, provide informal mentorship to junior scientists and contribute technical expertise to cross-functional project teams while maintaining focus on individual contributor laboratory responsibilities.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline
• Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline with at least 8 years of pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical development experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline with at least 12 years of pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical development experience

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Experience across multiple analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, mass spectrometry, NMR, etc.) and demonstration of strong hands-on laboratory skills and technical problem-solving abilities.
• PhD Candidates with >2 years of post-PhD hands-on laboratory experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical development or closely related analytical chemistry roles.
• Experienced candidates should demonstrate a track record of hands-on laboratory contributions to pharmaceutical development projects, including support of regulatory submissions (IND/NDA), method development and validation, and analytical testing strategies.
• Previous hands-on laboratory experience in the pharmaceutical industry or with analytical techniques directly applicable to pharmaceutical development (e.g., HPLC, MS).
• Deep fundamental understanding of and hands-on experience with reversed-phase, ion exchange, size-exclusion, chiral, and/or gas chromatography.
• Working knowledge and practical laboratory experience with optical spectroscopy (e.g., Raman, FTIR), NMR, structure elucidation, and powder characterization techniques (e.g., XRPD, particle size distribution).
• Strong hands-on technical skills, learning agility, ability to prioritize laboratory workload, and aptitude in navigating experimental challenges.
• Motivated to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic laboratory environment.
• Passion for applying analytical chemistry through hands-on laboratory work to solve real-world pharmaceutical development challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Additional Information

• Laboratory-based position with daily hands-on experimental work
• Possible exposure to chemicals, allergens, and loud noises
• Occasional travel (0 to 10%)
• Position Location: Indianapolis, IN Lilly Technology Center - North (LTC-N)

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is

$126,000 - $204,600

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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