Advisor - Biophysical/Analytical Scientist, Molecular Insights

BioSpace; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 129,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly seeks a biologically focused biophysical scientist in Indianapolis to guide developability assessments for multiple biotherapeutic programs. You will collaborate with engineers and chemists, apply diverse characterization methods, and inform candidate selection with data-driven insights.

The role requires advanced biophysical expertise, hands-on experience with kinetics platforms, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable development decisions.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, biotechnology, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field with at least 2 years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with at least 7 years of relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated deep expertise in biophysical characterization methods to enable drug candidate selection and development, along with strong analytical capabilities applied to biotherapeutic candidates.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary biophysical/analytical point-of-contact for assigned programs, independently driving strategic decisions and partnering directly with project and platform teams on developability, characterization, and formulation-related questions
• Collaborate with protein engineers, medicinal chemists, preclinical biologists, ADME scientists, and other stakeholders to use characterization data to inform SAR and risk assessment
• Apply deep biophysical and analytical expertise across diverse modalities as project needs evolve
• Execute and interpret orthogonal biophysical and analytical characterization across chromatographic, electrophoretic, spectroscopic, light scattering, calorimetric, and binding/kinetic methods to support developability and candidate selection decisions
• Apply computational or structure-based modeling methods to complement biophysical data and inform candidate selection decisions
• Apply statistical analysis using software such as JMP or Prism to evaluate experimental data and support data-driven decisions
• Search and review relevant scientific literature and the external environment to identify innovation opportunities and best practices applicable to biophysical and analytical characterization
• Accurately document experimental procedures and communicate results via presentations, written reports, and electronic notebooks following established procedures

Skills

Biophysical characterization

Binding kinetics platforms

Data analysis

Laboratory automation

GenAI productivity

Education

Ph.D. in biochemistry/biotechnology/analytical chemistry/chemical engineering/pharmaceutical sciences

M.S. with at least 7 years of industry experience

Tools

Biacore/SPR

Octet/BLI

High-throughput characterization platforms

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.

Overview

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. Eli Lilly and Company's Biotechnology Discovery Research (BioTDR) organization is responsible for discovering and optimizing novel biotherapeutic medicines (proteins, peptides, antibodies, fusions, viral and non-viral genetic medicines, and bioconjugates) for advancement into clinical research in key areas of unmet medical need including diabetes, obesity and related complications, oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and more. An essential component for success is ensuring the generation of drug candidates with biopharmaceutical properties that enable successful manufacturing, formulation, and drug delivery.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary biophysical/analytical point-of-contact for assigned programs, independently driving strategic decisions and partnering directly with project and platform teams on developability, characterization, and formulation-related questions
• Collaborate with protein engineers, medicinal chemists, preclinical biologists, ADME scientists, and other stakeholders to use characterization data to inform SAR and risk assessment
• Apply deep biophysical and analytical expertise flexibly across diverse and complex modalities as project and platform needs evolve
• Execute and interpret orthogonal biophysical and analytical characterization across chromatographic (RP-HPLC, aSEC, HILIC, IEX), electrophoretic (CE-SDS, cIEF), spectroscopic (nanoDSF, CD, SoloVPE), light scattering (SLS, SEC-MALS, DLS, CG-MALS), calorimetric (ITC, DSC), and binding/kinetic (SPR, Octet) methods to support developability and candidate selection decisions
• Apply computational or structure-based modeling methods (e.g., Schrödinger, MOE, molecular dynamics), where applicable, to complement biophysical data and inform candidate selection decisions
• Apply statistical analysis using software such as JMP or Prism to evaluate experimental data and support data-driven decisions
• Search and review relevant scientific literature and the external environment more broadly to identify innovation opportunities and best practices applicable to biophysical and analytical characterization
• Accurately document experimental procedures and communicate results via presentations, written reports, and electronic notebooks following established procedures

Basic Qualifications

Ph.D. in biochemistry, biotechnology, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field with at least 2 years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with at least 7 years of relevant industry experience.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Demonstrated deep expertise in biophysical characterization methods (e.g., light scattering, spectroscopic, chromatographic, calorimetric, and binding kinetics) to enable drug candidate selection and development, along with strong analytical capabilities applied to biotherapeutic candidates.
• Experience with complex modalities, such as antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific mAbs, antibody-peptide conjugates, or other bioconjugates
• Hands-on experience with Biacore/SPR, Octet/BLI, or other binding kinetics platforms
• Familiarity with laboratory automation and high-throughput characterization platforms
• Demonstrated ability to use genAI to enhance personal and/or team productivity.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is

$129,000 - $211,200

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for 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; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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