Director/Sr. Director - In Vitro Biology, ASCVD and Lipid Biology

Eli Lilly and Company • Us, IN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Eli Lilly is seeking an experienced laboratory head to lead an In Vitro Biology laboratory supporting its ASCVD and Kidney Health portfolio within Cardiovascular and Renal Research. The role sets in vitro strategy across multiple discovery programs, leads scientists in developing and implementing biochemical and cell-based assays, and uses those assays to validate targets and select clinical development candidates on rigorous timelines. The lab head is expected to have previously led a laboratory, managed and mentored direct reports, and advanced multiple assets from target validation through clinical candidate selection.

The position works closely with in vivo pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, biotherapeutics, genetic medicines, translational science, data sciences and clinical colleagues to inform portfolio decisions. It also contributes to CVR target strategy and portfolio prioritization, evaluates external innovation opportunities, and represents Lilly in the external scientific community. This is an onsite, full-time role in Indianapolis, Indiana. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• Ph.D., master's or bachelor's degree in cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, vascular biology, lipid metabolism or a related scientific discipline.
• If holding a Ph.D., at least 6 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia; if holding a master's degree, at least 12 years; if holding a bachelor's degree, at least 15 years.
• Demonstrated experience leading a laboratory or research group.
• Drug-discovery experience on pharmaceutical-industry programs relevant to ASCVD and Kidney Health, such as lowering LDL-C, Lp(a), apoB or triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, vascular inflammation, or other causal atherosclerosis pathways.
• Ability to lead in vitro strategy, assay development and implementation, target validation, and clinical-candidate selection across multiple discovery programs.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication skills, including presenting data and recommendations to leadership or governance audiences.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage a portfolio of projects and a team of direct reports simultaneously.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Deep knowledge of atherosclerosis, lipoprotein metabolism and dyslipidemia biology, and human-genetic, biomarker and clinical-outcome evidence linking targets to MACE reduction.
• Familiarity with current and emerging ASCVD and Kidney Health therapeutics and cardiovascular outcome trials.
• Ph.D. with 8 or more years of relevant industry drug-discovery experience.
• Direct management experience with scientists and a track record of building teams, developing scientists and recruiting talent.
• Demonstrated track record of target validation, assay development/validation and candidate selection across multiple projects as a biology lead or lab head.
• Deep expertise across cell-based functional, biochemical, enzymatic and binding assay classes, including optimization, statistical validation and data analysis.
• Experience supporting small molecules, biologics, siRNA/ASO and gene-editing modalities and their in vitro strategies.
• Experience with enzyme kinetics, mechanism-of-inhibition studies, and biophysical binding methods such as SPR, BLI, ITC, FP and TR-FRET.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory automation, acoustic/liquid handlers, assay miniaturization and screening informatics.
• Experience with primary human hepatocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, iPSC-derived cells, or organoid/co-culture models.
• Working familiarity with bioinformatics, human-genetics resources and AI/computational tools applied to target identification and validation.
• Experience with external innovation, including academic collaborations, CRO management or scientific due diligence for business development and licensing.
• Recognized scientific reputation in cardiovascular or lipid biology, demonstrated through publications, patents or invited presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage an in vitro biology laboratory, setting scientific direction and priorities, allocating scientists and resources, and ensuring data quality, compliance and lab safety.
• Set in vitro biology strategies for multiple discovery programs from target validation through lead optimization and candidate selection; define screening cascades, go/no-go criteria and candidate-profile requirements, and make data-driven recommendations to advance or stop projects.
• Direct the design, development and optimization of cell-based, biochemical, enzymatic and binding assays for ASCVD and Kidney Health targets, remaining hands-on where needed.
• Oversee molecular and biochemical readouts on cell and tissue samples, including qPCR/ddPCR, western blot, ELISA/MSD, lipid quantitation, flow cytometry and high-content imaging, and ensure rigorous analysis and interpretation.
• Move assays from concept into routine operation by defining acceptance criteria and controls, qualifying reagents and cell systems, and establishing plate-based workflows on automated liquid-handling and multi-mode detection platforms.
• Use appropriate AI tools to accelerate data analysis and quality assurance.
• Lead in vitro target-validation strategy using pharmacological tools, siRNA/ASO, CRISPR and over-expression to establish target biology, mechanism of action and translatability; collaborate with Data Sciences colleagues to integrate human genetics, transcriptomics, biomarkers and clinical-outcome evidence.
• Serve as biology and/or project leader for multiple discovery programs across modalities, coordinating partners to define scientific plans and drive programs to decisions.
• Own the lab portfolio workplan, set milestones, track progress, anticipate and mitigate risks, escalate schedule risks early, and deliver high-quality work on time.
• Present data, interpretations and recommendations to project teams, CVR leadership and governance committees; prepare program updates, study summaries and regulatory study reports; keep partners and management informed.
• Manage and develop scientists by setting expectations and goals, conducting performance management, providing coaching and feedback, building career-development plans, recruiting and retaining talent, and creating growth opportunities.
• Contribute to CVR target strategy and portfolio prioritization, identify and evaluate external innovation opportunities, and represent Lilly in the external scientific community.

Benefits

• Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k).
• Pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits, including 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, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director