Lead Chemist - RNAi Drug Discovery

Eli Lilly and Company•San Diego, MA

20h

About The Position

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. Organization Overview Lilly Catalyze360 is a comprehensive approach to enabling the early-stage biotech ecosystem by democratizing access to infrastructure, expertise, and resources. Through its interconnected pillars—Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs, Lilly ExploR&D, and Lilly TuneLab—Catalyze360 strategically removes barriers that traditionally block bold science from becoming life-changing medicines, providing biotechs with flexible combinations of capital, physical lab space, R&D capabilities, AI/ML tools, and decades of enterprise learning. Lilly ExploR&D is a team of drug discovery and development experts who partner with biotechs from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept, putting Lilly's industry-leading capabilities behind their missions. We provide flexible support—from strategic consulting to full program execution—making it faster, easier, and more capital-efficient for innovators to transform bold science into life-changing medicines. Job Summary We are looking for an RNAi drug discovery expert with deep experience in oligonucleotide chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and delivery technologies. This individual will be responsible for the critical evaluation of scientific and business opportunities, design and execution of novel RNAi therapeutics within ExploR&D, and partnership with Lilly Genetic Medicines LGM to ensure strategic alignment and maximum impact. This leader combines scientific rigor and expertise, innovative thinking, demonstrated learning agility and execution, and collaborative leadership to advance RNAi innovation from concept to scalable capability.

Requirements

Required Education: PhD or Master’s in Chemistry or related field.
Required Experience: 7+ years of oligonucleotide chemistry, lead optimization and design experience.
10+ years of drug discovery experience.
3 patents or patent applications demonstrating scientific leadership in oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Nice To Haves

Proven track record managing cross-functional teams and projects.
Experience managing external CRO relationships and resources related to oligonucleotide research.
Deep understanding of RNAi mechanisms, delivery technologies, pharmacology, and drug development processes.
Strong leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence across organizations.
Experience with RNAi screening technologies, sequence selection, human-relevant pharmacology models, purification and formulation best practices and automation platforms.
Knowledge in area of oligonucleotide relevant tissue delivery and conjugation chemistry.
Knowledge of therapeutic areas relevant to RNAi medicines.
Proven track record of successful collaboration within drug discovery organizations.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Experience in biotech partnership models or early-stage drug discovery environments.

Responsibilities

Scientific Evaluation & Project Execution Collaborate with external partners to critically evaluate opportunities for RNAi innovation, including scientific merit and technical feasibility.
Design and execute RNAi discovery projects with robust experimental design, fit-for-purpose methodologies, and clear success criteria.
Lead and consult regarding siRNA/ASO candidate screening, hit identification, and lead optimization using cellular and molecular biology methodologies (e.g., mammalian cell culture, in vitro screening, cell-based assays, PCR).
Oversee in vivo drug candidate testing with ATP partners, including experimental design for animal studies, dose planning and sample analysis.
Strategic Alignment & Portfolio Management Work with leadership to translate scientific and portfolio needs into an RNAi innovation roadmap aligned with area strategies, best practices and joint initiatives.
Prioritize opportunities that impact molecule quality, cycle time, and probability of technical success.
Innovation Scouting & Technology Integration Systematically scan internal and external landscapes for RNAi innovation and build scientific cases for licensing.
Coordinate pilot execution across internal and external partners with fit-for-purpose experimental design and robust success factors.
Partner with discovery operations, digital/IT, procurement, and finance to transition successful pilots into routine capabilities.
Due Diligence & Partnership Management Lead and participate in due diligence of early-stage RNAi technology partners, including scientific assessments, pilot plans, and integration pathways.
Manage external biotech and CRO relationships to ensure quality delivery and strategic alignment.
Build workplans, execute, and maintain productive partnerships with biotech collaborators and technology providers.
External Representation Represent Lilly in external meetings and conferences, showcasing internal RNAi innovation and scouting new opportunities.
Serve as scientific ambassador for ExploR&D's RNAi capabilities.

Benefits

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).

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