Advisor - Synthetic Chemistry - PhD

Eli Lilly and Company • Us, IN

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lilly Small Molecule Design (LSMD) group is an organization purpose-built to create molecules that make life better for people. Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) is a critical function within Lilly Product Research & Development (PRD) responsible for the development of synthetic drug substances and drug products from the pre-clinical phase through commercialization. Together, LSMD and SMDD are responsible for the discovery and development of synthetic drug substances and drug products from lead optimization through commercialization. Our scientists and engineers develop innovative technical and business solutions to advance a dynamic portfolio that includes small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and other emerging therapeutic modalities. By encouraging a hardworking, culturally diverse workforce that exhibits deep technical expertise, we deliver on these responsibilities and help bring the next generation of life-changing medicines to patients! Within these organizations, synthetic chemistry is at the heart of everything we do. In discovery, chemists design and synthesize the molecules that become breakthrough medicines by optimizing lead compounds into strong drug candidates. In development, chemists establish robust and sustainable routes and supply chains for the synthetic active ingredients that make up Lilly’s portfolio. We seek to use the best technologies to solve problems, and we endeavor to continuously improve the way we discover, develop, and manufacture therapeutic molecules. The Advisor - Synthetic Chemistry will help deliver innovative technical solutions in either LSMD or SMDD as a medicinal chemist or process chemist, enabling deeper understanding of molecules, processes, and products across our diverse portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess a deep technical expertise and training in modern synthetic chemistry and use this knowledge to challenge the status quo and drive solutions to the most important scientific problems, in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, this individual will have a demonstrated track record of novel contributions to chemical design and mechanism-based problem solving as part of project driven goals such as synthesis of complex molecules, compound optimization, and/or methodology development.

Requirements

• PhD in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a related field; or BS/MS with 7+ years of equivalent experience
• Experience designing and executing synthetic chemistry programs relevant to drug discovery or development

Nice To Haves

• Use of strong interpersonal skills for collaboration
• Demonstrated self-initiative and appropriate risk-taking
• Ability to learn and apply technical knowledge to meet changing project needs
• Ability to prioritize multiple activities and handle ambiguity
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools, laboratory automation platforms, and parallel synthesis or other high-throughput chemistry methods
• Broad experience across multiple modalities or therapeutic areas is a plus

Responsibilities

• Establish a productive laboratory program by personally conducting and managing internal and external research plans, independently planning, executing, and troubleshooting synthetic chemistry to deliver high-quality molecules that drive project decisions.
• Design and synthesize compounds and develop synthetic routes that address key project challenges, whether optimizing structure-activity relationships (SAR) for drug candidates (LSMD) or enabling scalable, robust processes for clinical and commercial supply (SMDD).
• Act as a technical point of contact for assigned projects, communicating a clear rationale for design and development priorities and proactively adjusting the scientific approach as new results emerge.
• Thrive at the interface between disciplines and be able to quickly move from one scientific challenge to another while navigating ambiguity.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to inform compound design, route selection, and prioritization.
• Embrace and celebrate diversity by using a relevant but unique background and set of experiences to contribute new ideas and thoughts to deliver solutions for a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong communication (oral, written), organizational, and leadership skills, including mentoring and developing junior colleagues and contributing to a collaborative Team Lilly culture.
• Demonstrate learning agility across modalities (small molecule, peptide, and oligonucleotide).
• Develop new synthetic routes and accelerate the design-make-test cycle using modern technologies, including parallel synthesis, continuous processing, automated reaction screening, high-throughput experimentation, AI/machine learning, and computational chemistry.
• Maintain data quality and integrity so that every experiment delivers confident, actionable information, including “negative” results that advance the project.
• Help drive and develop the compound design or commercial manufacturing strategy and, where applicable, collaborate with manufacturing partners to deliver robust chemical processes that are ultimately suitable for large-scale manufacturing.
• Engage externally through presentations and publications.
• Identify, partner, and develop chemistry innovations to complement existing capabilities and areas of focus and incorporate these innovations across the portfolio of assets.

Benefits

• company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance)
• 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
• 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