Advisor – In Vivo CAR Discovery

Lilly • Boston, MA

8d • $138,000 - $224,400 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an accomplished scientist to join Lilly’s Drug Discovery organization as an Advisor. This is a senior individual-contributor role centered on the discovery of novel in vivo CAR products. The successful candidate will screen, test, and discover new CAR candidates — designing and driving the in vitro and in vivo studies that characterize their activity, leading the screening and down-selection that prioritizes leads, and translating the resulting data into clear progression decisions. Partnering closely with LNP and RNA delivery experts, they will contribute the immunology expertise that shapes construct and delivery choices, serve as a scientific lead across cross-functional project teams, and mentor scientists across the group. The role is central to Lilly’s in vivo CAR ambitions within genomic medicine.

Requirements

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field

Nice To Haves

• Post-PhD experience in immunology research (industry or comparable academic/translational setting).
• Demonstrated track record of target identification and validation, evidenced by publications, patents, or pipeline contributions.
• Deep, hands-on expertise in immune cell biology and modern target-discovery approaches (e.g., functional genomics, single-cell technologies, primary human cell assays).
• Experience leading the biology workstream on a drug discovery program from target validation through candidate progression.
• Working knowledge of multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecule, antibody/biologics) and how target biology informs modality selection.
• Strong record of cross-functional influence and the ability to drive scientific decisions without direct authority.
• Disease-area depth in autoimmunity and/or inflammation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the immunology subject-matter expert for the group’s in vivo CAR programs — the resident authority on CAR biology, immune-cell function, and the determinants of a successful CAR product.
• Collaborate closely with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and RNA delivery experts to define and refine optimal CAR product designs, contributing the immunology requirements that inform construct and delivery decisions while maintaining sufficient fluency in delivery considerations to interpret design rationale and partner effectively.
• Advance in vivo CAR strategies, including LNP – delivered CAR constructs — designing and running studies that evaluate in situ CAR generation, expression, and efficacy in disease-relevant models.
• Personally design and implement in vitro and in vivo assays to characterize CAR activity (potency, cytotoxicity, antigen specificity, and persistence), and interpret the data to drive construct optimization.
• Lead screening and down-selection across CAR candidate panels, defining the criteria, assays, and data packages used to rank constructs and prioritize leads for advancement
• Translate complex in vitro and in vivo datasets into clear go/no-go recommendations and present them to senior governance and portfolio review forums.
• Serve as the discovery biology lead on cross-functional project teams, aligning LNP/delivery, protein engineering, translational, and DMPK partners around a shared scientific strategy.
• Mentor and develop scientists across the group, elevating technical rigor and immunological judgment; maintain external scientific leadership through publications, conferences, collaborations, and contributions to IP and partnering discussions.

Benefits

• company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance)
• company-sponsored 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• 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
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree