Scientist, Discovery Oncology (in vivo Biology)

Lilly • South San Francisco, CA

3d • $66,000 - $171,600 • Onsite

About The Position

Lilly is seeking a highly motivated, hands-on scientist to join the in vivo team within Discovery Oncology. Working under the direct technical guidance of a senior scientific lead, the successful candidate will execute in vivo mouse studies according to established study designs and written protocols to support target identification and validation, efficacy assessment, and de-risking of on-target toxicity liabilities across the Discovery Oncology portfolio. Most of the work involves in vivo study execution, complemented by basic cell culture in support of those studies. The role is based on-site in a vivarium and laboratory/bench setting in South San Francisco, California, and is full-time. Occasional weekend and holiday coverage may be needed to support dosing and study time points.

The appointed candidate 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. Compensation is anticipated to be $66,000–$171,600, depending on education, experience, skills, and geographic location. Full-time equivalent employees are eligible for a company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance, and may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits program. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Requirements

• Associate degree in animal science, biology, or a related field and at least 5 years of in vivo research or animal experience; or a bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, cancer biology, or a related field and at least 2 years of in vivo research or animal experience.
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the employer will not sponsor work authorization or visas.
• Ability to perform the role's on-site work in a vivarium and laboratory/bench setting, involving standing, light lifting, and animal handling for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with in vivo mouse work, including animal handling, dosing, and necropsy.
• Demonstrated ability to follow established study designs, protocols, and SOPs with high accuracy.
• Working knowledge of basic mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique.
• Experience working under IACUC-approved protocols.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills, and a collaborative mindset.
• Flexibility to provide occasional weekend or holiday coverage for dosing and study time points.
• Familiarity with in vivo imaging, such as bioluminescence or the LI-COR Pearl imager.
• Experience with histology, IHC, and basic pathology interpretation.
• Familiarity with oncology tumor models, including cell line xenograft, syngeneic, and/or PDX models, and tumor cell implantation.
• Experience with IV (tail-vein) dosing, retro-orbital technique, survival surgery, and/or orthotopic implantation.
• Experience with basic flow cytometry, including tissue dissociation, antibody staining, sample acquisition, and data analysis in FlowJo.

Responsibilities

• Execute mouse studies, including tumor cell implantation, dosing by standard routes such as PO, IP, and SQ, and basic necropsy; build proficiency in additional techniques such as IV dosing and survival surgery with training.
• Measure and record tumor volumes, body weights, and clinical observations; monitor animal health and promptly escalate findings to the study lead and veterinary staff.
• Support dosing, formulation, and necropsy for studies run by other team members, including occasional weekend or holiday coverage as needed.
• Harvest and process tumor and tissue samples at study endpoints, including sample banking for downstream analysis.
• Perform basic in vitro cell culture, including maintenance, expansion, and quality checks of cancer cell lines, to prepare cells and reagents for implantation studies.
• Order and track laboratory and office supply inventory for in vivo studies.
• Maintain compliance with IACUC-approved animal care and use protocols and laboratory research and animal handling procedures.
• Follow good research practices, SOPs, and notebook documentation standards.
• Enter, tabulate, and summarize study data, including tumor growth curves and body weight changes, using established templates; present results at project team meetings.
• Contribute to a safe, efficient, and compliant vivarium and laboratory environment.

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, such as 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, such as an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree