Advisor / Sr Advisor – Synthetic Molecule Process Chemistry

550 Eli Lilly Services India Pvt Ltd; Hyderabad; Hybrid; INR 4,200,000 - 6,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an Advisor / Sr Advisor – Synthetic Molecule Process Chemistry at its Hyderabad site. You will provide technical oversight of process development at a contract development organization, bridging Lilly scientists with the CDMO to ensure alignment with Lilly requirements and robust scale-up.

The role emphasizes learning agility across modalities, development of new synthetic routes, collaboration with analytics and manufacturing, and leadership to foster scientific excellence,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with a focus on process chemistry.
• Post-doctoral experience in chemistry is advantageous.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills required.

Responsibilities

• Develop new synthetic routes using modern technologies and scale-up.
• Collaborate with analytical development and manufacturing engineers to translate bench results to pilot plant scale.
• Lead, coach, and mentor peers to foster scientific excellence, safety and compliance.
• Design and analyze experiments to deepen process understanding and optimize conditions.
• Drive digital tools and technology transfer to support continuous improvement.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-initiative

Ability to learn/apply knowledge

Ability to manage ambiguity

Education

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry

Post Doctoral experience

Job description

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life‑changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

Company Overview

Lilly, a leading innovation‑driven corporation is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly makes life better – through medicines and information – for some of the world’s most urgent medical needs. Founded over 150 years ago, the company has sustained a culture that values excellence, integrity and respect for people. This has resulted in Lilly frequently being ranked as one of the best companies in the world at which to work. Lilly understands its business has prospered because of its employees – people with a talent for innovation and a passion for making a difference by finding treatments for the most stubborn diseases; people whose talent is matched by their generosity, and people with strong values and a determination to prevail, regardless of the challenges.

About Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD)

SMDD is a critical function within Lilly Product Research & Development (PRD) responsible for the development of synthetic drug substances and drug products from the pre‑clinical phase through commercialization. PRD at Lilly Bengaluru, established in 2016, is an integrated business unit with the Global Indianapolis functions supporting synthetic molecules, large molecules and drug delivery developments. Together we advance a dynamic portfolio of small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides and other emerging therapeutic modalities.

Job Description

PRD / SMDD @ Bangalore has an exciting opportunity for an Advisor / Sr Advisor – Synthetic Molecule Process Chemistry to join our multidisciplinary team of chemists and engineers. The individual will have technical oversight of key process development activities performed at a strategic Indian contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). The individual will act as the technical bridge between Lilly scientists and the CDMO, review & influence CDMO strategies, ensure alignment with Lilly requirements, escalate risks and develop mitigation plans. Empowered by access to world‑class capabilities and extensive pharmaceutical development experience, you will help deliver technical solutions that enable deeper understanding of processes and products across the portfolio. The individual will help deliver innovative technical solutions through internal & external collaborations, enabling deeper understanding of the processes and products. The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise and training in modern synthetic chemistry and challenge the status quo to drive solutions in a fast‑paced environment. Additionally, this individual will have a demonstrated track record of original contributions to chemical design and mechanism‑based problem solving for synthesis of complex molecules and/or methodology development.

Role Overview and Key Responsibilities

Scientific & Technical Leadership Demonstrate learning agility across modalities (small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides). Develop new synthetic routes using modern technologies, including continuous processing, automated reaction screening, and collaborating with computational chemistry team. Understanding the scientific principles required for manufacturing raw materials, intermediates and drug substances, including the interaction of chemistry and equipment. Ensure robust processes are developed that are capable of error free scale‑up, ensuring a reliable supply of early and late phase clinical trial materials. Proven record of embracing advanced digitization efforts by deploying digital tools to enable advanced modelling and seamless digital technology transfer Collaborate to design and analyse experiments to deepen process understanding and optimise reaction conditions. Collaborate closely with analytical development scientists and manufacturing engineers to translate processes from the bench to pilot plant scale. Proven track record of working with diverse groups across the value chain and in multiple locations Thrive at the interface between disciplines and be able to quickly move from one scientific challenge to another while navigating ambiguity. Document all work in an appropriate manner People Leadership Exhibit coaching and mentoring of peers and other scientists. Work as a team and take responsibility with accountability. Promote a team culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, safety, and compliance.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in scientific disciplines of Organic Chemistry/Chemistry with Ph.D/Post Doc in Chemistry (focusing more process chemistry) with 8+ years of experience

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Use of strong interpersonal skills for collaboration
• Demonstrated self‑initiative and appropriate risk‑taking
• Ability to learn and apply technical knowledge to meet changing project needs
• Ability to prioritise multiple activities and handle ambiguity

Additional Information

Potential exposure to chemicals, allergens, and loud noises

Work hours flexibility to accommodate collaboration across multiple time zones

Travel

Travel: up to 20%. Mainly domestic. Occasionally international.

This position is in Hyderabad

Hyderabad Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions.

If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance.

Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

How do we do this? We continue to look for ways to include, innovate, accelerate and deliver while maintaining integrity, excellence and respect for people.

#WeAreLilly At Lilly we strive to ensure our employees are part of a team that cares about them and our shared purpose of making life better for those around the world.

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