Advisor - Molecular Biology, Analytical Development - BR&D

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 126,000 - 244,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits program

Company bonus eligibility

401(k) participation

Job summary

Lilly in Indianapolis is seeking an Advisor for the BRD Analytical Development team to support analytical development for genetic medicines. The role involves developing and qualifying analytical methods and executing PCR-based methods. The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. or relevant work experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Responsibilities include supporting assay qualification and maintaining GMP compliance. Candidates must have practical experience with molecular biology and analytical techniques.

Qualifications

• 0-5+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience.
• 6+ years of experience with M.S. or 12+ years with B.S.
• Practical proficiency with techniques for quantitative nucleic acid analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and execute PCR-based methods for viral vector genome.
• Apply molecular biology techniques for product characterization.
• Support assays qualification, verification, and validation activities.

Skills

Practical proficiency with qPCR

Experience with immunoassay platforms

Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques

Independently design experiments

Familiarity with GMP/GLP requirements

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or Analytical Chemistry

M.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or Analytical Chemistry

B.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or Analytical Chemistry

Tools

qPCR

ddPCR

ELISA

NGS workflows

Electronic lab notebooks

Job description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life‑changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Position Overview

The BRD Analytical Development team is seeking an Advisor to support analytical development for genetic medicines and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs). This role is primarily laboratory‑based, with responsibility for developing and qualifying analytical methods that characterize drug substance and drug product quality attributes across the genetic medicines portfolio, spanning early‑phase IND‑enabling studies through commercial BLA readiness. The successful candidate will have practical expertise in molecular biology and nucleic acid analytics and will contribute to GMP analytical activities within a cross‑functional CMC development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and execute PCR‑based methods (qPCR, ddPCR/dPCR) for viral vector genome titration, residual DNA quantitation, and related nucleic acid analytes in support of genetic medicine programs.
• Experience with immunoassay platforms (ELISA, MSD, Gyrolab) for residual host cell protein or impurity testing.
• Apply molecular biology techniques including 1‑ and 2‑D gel electrophoresis, blotting, and restriction enzyme analysis for product characterization.
• Contribute to analytical control strategies for genetic medicine drug substance and drug product, including identification of critical quality attributes (CQAs) and appropriate test methods.
• Support assay qualification, verification, and validation activities per ICH Q2(R2) and applicable regulatory expectations for genetic medicine and ATMP products.
• Contribute analytical data and technical content supporting stability study design and execution across DS and DP matrices.
• Ensure all analytical work is conducted in compliance with GMP, GLP, and applicable HSE requirements; maintain awareness of internal quality procedures and regulatory expectations.
• Author and review analytical methods, protocols, qualification/validation reports, method transfer packages, and technical summaries with high scientific accuracy and clarity.
• Maintain rigorous electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) practices and documentation standards for all experimental records.
• Support technology transfer of analytical methods to CRO/CMO partners and Lilly manufacturing sites; participate in cross‑site qualification or co‑validation studies.
• Provide technical input during interactions with external analytical partners; review and interpret externally generated data packages.
• Maintain awareness of emerging analytical technologies, regulatory guidance updates, and industry best practices relevant to genetic medicine analytical development.
• Collaborate within cross‑functional project teams including process development, quality, regulatory affairs, and clinical operations to deliver analytical support for clinical trials and regulatory submissions.
• Communicate analytical results, timelines, and technical challenges clearly to team members and project stakeholders in oral and written formats.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and scientifically rigorous team culture; share technical knowledge and support the growth of colleagues.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or Analytical Chemistry; with 0‑5+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience; or
• M.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or Analytical Chemistry; with 6+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience; or
• B.S. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or Analytical Chemistry; with 12+ years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience.
• Practical proficiency with qPCR and/or ddPCR/dPCR for quantitative nucleic acid analysis in a pharmaceutical or biotech development context.
• Practical proficiency with immunoassay platforms (ELISA and/or related technologies) for quantitative analysis of process‑related impurities or product quality attributes in a pharmaceutical or biotech development context.
• Hands‑on experience with molecular biology techniques (gel electrophoresis, blotting, restriction analysis) applied to biopharmaceutical or genetic medicine characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, generate high‑quality data, and interpret results in a development environment.
• Familiarity with GMP/GLP requirements and their application to analytical method development and documentation.

Additional Skills & Preferences

• Experience with viral vector (AAV, LVV) or cell therapy analytical programs, including genome integrity, residual DNA, and encapsidation efficiency assessments.
• Familiarity with NGS workflows (library preparation, sequencing, bioinformatic interpretation) as an orthogonal characterization approach for genetic medicine products.
• Knowledge of FDA/EMA regulatory expectations for nucleic acid‑based CQA testing in genetic medicine CMC submissions.
• Experience supporting analytical aspects of IND or BLA/MAA submissions, including contributing to Module 3 analytical sections.
• Experience with method transfer to external CRO/CMO organizations and participation in inter‑laboratory comparability studies.
• Proficiency with electronic laboratory notebooks (e.g., Benchling) and data management systems.
• Effective oral and written communication skills; ability to present complex technical information to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work productively in a fast‑paced, collaborative team environment.

Additional Information

• Travel: 0 to 15%.
• Potential exposure to chemicals, allergens, and loud noises.

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 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.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $126,000 - $244,200. 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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