Postdoctoral Scientist - Lysosomal Biology & Neuroprotective Mechanisms

Lilly • Boston, MA

3d • $58,000 - $123,200 • Onsite

About The Position

Eli Lilly and Company is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scientist to join the Lilly Gene Therapy (LGT) organization, with a primary focus on lysosomal biology and its role in metabolic regulation and cellular protection. This role will investigate how the lysosome senses and adapts to shifting metabolic states — e.g., chronic inflammation, obesity, and pulmonary disease — and how restoration of lysosomal function confers protection against metabolic dysfunction and neurodegeneration, using multi-omics bioanalytical approaches across peripheral and CNS tissues.
The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in LC-MS–based lipidomics, metabolomics, and proteomics profiling, and in combination with transcriptomic and immunoproteomic/ligand-binding platforms will bring deeper understanding on the interactions between metabolic state and lysosomal health. This position offers hands-on involvement in preclinical mouse studies, collaboration with internal cross-functional teams, and scientific oversight of external CRO-led studies.
This postdoctoral role offers a unique opportunity to define the molecular mechanisms linking lysosomal-metabolic regulation to chronic inflammatory disease and neuroprotection within a leading pharmaceutical research organization. The position provides high-impact scientific exposure, cross-functional collaboration, and skill development at the intersection of lysosomal biology, multi-omics analytics, and translational biomarker science. Publication in peer-reviewed journals is expected.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a closely related life sciences field.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience with LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics, metabolomics, and/or proteomics assay development and quantification.
• Experience with immunoproteomic, ELISA, or ligand-binding assay (LBA) techniques, and PCR/qPCR/ddPCR for transcript quantification.
• 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 and 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

• Prior experience with RNAseq or other transcriptomic profiling methods, including analysis and interpretation of gene-module level signatures is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, optimization, and execution of LC-MS–based, immunoproteomics, and ligand-binding (LBA) assays to quantify biomarkers of lysosomal health and degradative capacity, across peripheral, pulmonary, and CNS tissues.
• Generate and interpret data to characterize modules governing autophagy, cargo receptors, lysosomal biogenesis, and lysosomal lipid metabolism. Perform cross-validation of key hits in various in vitro and in vivo system.
• Develop and apply working knowledge of the lysosomal pathway and its metabolic regulatory circuits to interpret generated data in a mechanistic and therapeutic context, with a focus on lysosomal biogenesis and nutrient-sensing signatures.
• Integrate lipidomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic readouts into an integrated "lysosomal health and degradation capacity" framework applicable across tissues, including lung and brain. Contribute mechanistic interpretation linking lysosomal lipid and pathway-level findings to protective mechanisms in chronic inflammation, including neurodegeneration and pulmonary disease.
• Collaborating with extended research team to design and execution in vivo and in vitro studies to characterize the role of lysosomal homeostasis in metabolic status, chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration.
• Apply sound experimental design principles; diagnose and troubleshoot complex technical challenges related to assay performance, tissue processing, or data variability.
• Identify peripheral and tissue-specific biomarkers and explore their clinical relevance. Support validation of key lipid and protein markers against available human biofluid datasets to strengthen translational rationale for future clinical studies.
• Maintain meticulous experimental documentation, ensuring clear traceability, data integrity, and compliance with LGT proven methods.
• Apply proven methods for lipidomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic datasets generated from in vitro and in vivo studies and collaborate effectively with the extended team, including biostats for rigorous multi-dimensional analysis.
• Generate clear, insightful data visualizations to support project teams and decision-making forums.
• Communicate findings effectively through presentations, written summaries, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Actively contribute as a proactive, team-oriented scientist within a highly collaborative LGT research environment.

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree