Post-Doctoral Scientist, Bioconjugation Process Innovation

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

2d • $58,000 - $123,200 • Onsite

About The Position

This postdoctoral position sits within the Purification Process Development group in BR&D and focuses on advancing In-Process Conjugation (IPC) as a next-generation manufacturing platform for Antibody RNA Conjugates (ARC) and Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC). The postdoc will work at the intersection of downstream purification, conjugation chemistry, and process analytics — a uniquely broad technical scope that prepares candidates for cross-functional roles in antibody conjugate process development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomolecular Engineering, or a closely related field, conferred within the past 3 years (or anticipated prior to start date).
• Hands-on experience with preparative protein chromatography (affinity, IEX, HIC, SEC) using ÄKTA or equivalent chromatography systems.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with antibody conjugate modalities (ADC, ARC, or similar) and/or bioconjugation chemistry.
• Experience with analytical characterization methods relevant to conjugate process development (LC-MS, ELISA, HCP assays, DAR determination).
• Exposure to tangential flow filtration (TFF) or other membrane-based separation operations.
• Interest in or experience with process analytical technology (PAT) or process intensification.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; publication and/or conference presentation experience preferred.
• Highly collaborative with demonstrated ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-directed, intellectually curious, and motivated to build a career in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute purification development experiments to evaluate and optimize the in-process conjugation workflow.
• Collaborate with the Bioconjugation group to investigate conjugation efficiency and product quality attributes.
• Collaborate with Analytical teams to assess impurity detectability.
• Engage with the Medicine Foundry and PAT-knowledgeable collaborators to explore integration of in-line process analytical tools for real-time CQA monitoring.
• Collaborate with the Virology group to assess impacts on viral clearance.
• Document experimental results rigorously; author technical reports and contribute to potential patent filings and peer-reviewed publications in alignment with Lilly legal and IP processes.
• Present findings at internal forums (BR&D group meetings, API Forum, BR&D Seminar) on a regular cadence (every 3–6 months).

Benefits

• company bonus
• company-sponsored 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• medical benefits
• dental benefits
• vision benefits
• prescription drug benefits
• flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• life insurance
• 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree