Associate Scientist– Clinical Chemistry and Biomarker Research

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

5d • $65,250 - $169,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Our clinical chemistry and biomarker laboratory within Cardiometabolic Research (CMR) generates high-quality data across preclinical and clinical samples — to characterize and evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacology of therapeutic candidates from discovery through clinical development. We are strengthening this capability and are seeking a hands-on scientific team leader to establish reliable, high-quality delivery, build a collaborative and resilient team, and adapt to shifting portfolio priorities.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role that leads and coordinates the people and day-to-day operations of the clinical chemistry laboratory and owns the review, interpretation, and translation of analytical results into clear, actionable conclusions for therapeutic-area scientists, study teams, and cross-functional partners. The emphasis is team leadership and interpretation rather than routine bench execution; however, this is a working leader who retains hands-on competency and steps at the bench as needed to train staff, cover workload, and lead by example. Success depends on strong delegation, a collaborative team culture, and an out-of-the-box approach suited to a discovery setting that does not fully mirror a standard clinical chemistry laboratory. A central objective is to build and standardize operations — coordinating closely with all biomarker research labs on shared samples and hand-offs — and to restore dependable, on-time turnaround.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, biochemistry, or a related scientific field
• 5+ years of demonstrated hands-on experience performing clinical chemistry and pathology or related analytical laboratory assays
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Nice To Haves

• Deep understanding of the clinical chemistry world — analytes, assay principles, instrumentation, reference intervals, and physiological interpretation of results.
• Veterinary or preclinical clinical pathology experience — animal models, species-specific hematology and clinical chemistry, and comfort partnering with veterinarians, study directors, biologists, and pathologists in a discovery setting.
• Demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience with the competency to train, assess, and supervise staff performing this work.
• Creative, out-of-the-box problem-solver comfortable in a discovery environment that does not fully mirror a standard clinical chemistry laboratory, and a strong collaborator across teams.
• Hands-on proficiency across clinical pathology methods, including automated hematology and chemistry analyzers and blood and bone-marrow smear preparation and review, with the ability to train others.
• Board or laboratory certification (e.g., ASCP MT/MLS or veterinary equivalent) is not required in this discovery environment but is welcomed; a certification-grade, clinical-lab approach — regimented rigor and high documentation standards — is highly valued.
• Working knowledge of quality systems, SOP authoring, and data integrity, with familiarity with GLP/GCP/GCLP/CLIA/CAP as applicable.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (e.g., Provantis, Signals) and proficiency with Excel and data-visualization tools. Innovative perspective to adapt and welcome the AI-revolution.
• Familiarity with biomarker assay formats (e.g., ELISA, MSD, immunoassays) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and develop the laboratory team of employees and contractors. Delegate effectively across the team, balance and schedule workload, and provide day-to-day coaching, mentoring, training, and competency development. Champion a collaborative, accountable, high-performing culture, and establish clear roles, expectations, and ways of working as the group rebuilds.
• Review and interpret clinical chemistry, hematology, pathology and biomarker data and translate results into clear conclusions and their biological and study context for therapeutic-area scientists, study directors, and cross-functional partners. Contextualize findings against species-specific reference intervals and expected physiology, follow up on anomalies, present result summaries, and serve as the laboratory’s point of contact for data interpretation.
• Maintain personal competency in core clinical chemistry, pathology and biomarker methods. Perform, troubleshoot, and validate assays as needed to support the team, cover capacity, and onboard new tests; provide at-the-bench technical guidance; establish, deliver, and assess staff training and competency programs; and serve as a technical resource for laboratory personnel, study teams, veterinarians/pathologists, and external partners.
• Oversee QC and data review to ensure high quality and eliminate errors. Author and revise SOPs/SLPs, methods, and guidelines; ensure adherence to applicable standards and quality systems (e.g., GLP/GCP/GCLP/CLIA/CAP as applicable); own investigations, corrective and preventive actions, and audit and inspection readiness.
• Direct daily workflow, sample management and chain-of-custody, instrument readiness, inventory, and laboratory organization and safety — primarily through the team. Drive standardization and automation, and coordinate closely with the biomarker research labs on shared samples, hand-offs, and consistent standards across projects that span multiple groups. Set and track quality metrics, re-establish reliable on-time delivery, and evaluate, validate, and onboard new tests, technologies, instrumentation, and laboratory information systems (e.g., LIMS).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal client scientists and study teams; understand their needs and set clear expectations and timelines. Provide scientific and technical oversight of contractors and of work conducted at third-party organizations / CROs, and act as the primary point of escalation for technical and delivery issues.
• Champion process improvement, standardization, and automation to improve throughput, reproducibility, and data quality. Bring an out-of-the-box perspective to a discovery environment that does not fully mimic a standard clinical chemistry setting, adapting methods and evaluating new technologies — including artificial intelligence (AI) tools — to meet evolving research needs.

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