Principal Scientist - ADME

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

29d • $69,000 - $195,800

About The Position

As a Principal Scientist - ADME at Lilly, you will advance the ADME discovery portfolio by leading bioanalytical, drug-drug interaction (DDI), and project oversight activities with external research partners. As part of the Scientific Logistics and Oversight Team (SLOT), you will manage CRO partnerships and provide scientific oversight of vendor work, ensuring studies are completed on time, within budget, and to scope. You will also use approved AI and automation tools to improve efficiency and data quality, with human review and compliance with Lilly’s data privacy and responsible AI policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a scientific field such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or pharmaceutical sciences.
• At least 7 years of experience in a laboratory, CRO, or pharmaceutical operations setting, including vendor oversight.
• Experience reviewing bioanalytical, DMPK, or DDI study data and reports, and communicating concerns to vendors and internal partners.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly will not support or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a scientific field.
• Experience in ADME, bioanalysis, or DMPK, including in vitro and in vivo study types.
• Familiarity with LC-MS bioanalytical platforms and software such as Analyst and Watson, and CRO data delivery workflows.
• Experience with CRO oversight and sponsor-vendor interactions, including budget and invoice management, performance monitoring, and process improvement.
• Project management certification such as PMP and demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects or programs to meet deliverable timelines.
• Proficiency with data management tools such as SciQuery, SAP Fiori, and Smartsheet, and familiarity with RRL data loading and enterprise scientific data platforms.
• Familiarity with applying AI and automation tools, such as generative AI assistants and workflow automation, to improve data management, reporting, and vendor oversight.
• Ability to produce high-quality written documentation, including SOPs, job aids, reports, and executive-level summaries.
• Strong problem-solving, organization, follow-through, written and verbal communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead bioanalytical and drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies with external research partners, track progress in Smartsheet, and resolve issues.
• Manage study requests and vendor deliverables from intake through quality review.
• Review assay performance, data packages, deviations, and study reports to ensure CRO results meet scientific and quality standards before acceptance.
• Conduct annual scientific reviews of assigned vendors, escalate technical or data-quality concerns, and work with scientists and quality teams on corrective action.
• Ensure studies and contracts are delivered on time, within budget, and to scope; reconcile vendor invoices, confirm study completion before approval, and report spending to stakeholders.
• Partner with quality, finance, project leadership, and internal scientific teams on vendor oversight and compliance.
• Contribute to operational metrics, dashboards, and reporting to monitor performance and identify process improvements.
• Apply approved AI and automation tools to streamline data review and reporting, with human review and in accordance with Lilly’s data privacy and responsible AI policies.
• Reconcile vendor commitments against actual utilization and support vendor governance, performance reviews, and contract renewals.
• Build strong vendor relationships and provide clear operational summaries and presentations to internal stakeholders.

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: Principal