Advisor/Senior Advisor, Process Development Engineer, RNA/LNP

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 129,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly seeks a highly qualified engineer to advance genetic medicines from clinical to commercialization. The role focuses on RNA-LNP formulations, nonviral delivery, and scalable processes, collaborating across Lilly sites to drive tech transfers and CMC timelines.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD or MS with extensive industry experience in nanoparticle formulations and parenteral drug products, and possess strong GMP knowledge.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS with required years in industry specified in basic requirements.
• Experience with RNA-based therapies and parenteral formulations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute process studies to define clinical and potential commercial manufacturing processes for RNA-LNPs and other parenteral drug products.
• Lead process development of new modalities, especially RNA-LNPs late-stage development, and assess risks during scale-up.
• Collaborate across sites to execute tech transfers and integrate novel excipients into CMC timelines for regulatory submission.
• Provide onsite technical oversight of clinical manufacturing and ensure accurate transfer documentation and batch records.
• Ensure consistency in technical deliverables across transfers.
• Partner with analytical teams to transfer methods to CMOs and CROs for stability testing.
• Represent the team on project teams and engage external partners to adopt new process technologies.
• Support innovation and publication efforts to advance Lilly portfolio.

Skills

RNA-LNP formulation

Process development

Nonviral delivery

Tech transfer

Cross-functional collaboration

cGMP knowledge

Education

Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field

M.S. Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field

Tools

RNA-LNP formulation

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.

Organizational Overview and Position Summary:

The Lilly Bioproduct Research and Development (BR&D) organization is focused on the development and commercialization of parenteral formulations of small molecules and large molecules such as monoclonal antibodies, novel therapeutic proteins and peptides. The organization is also committed to the development of genetic medicines which includes active investments in oligonucleotide development, nanomedicines for tissue specific targeting and other gene delivery strategies. The drug product team is also investing in building new platforms to support complex formulations such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), antibody drug conjugates, AAV, and other non-viral vector delivery vehicles.

We are seeking a highly motivated engineer with experience and/or knowledge in process development of genetic medicines to advance the portfolio from clinical to commercialization of Lilly’s genetic medicine programs This position is located at Lilly’s tech center, next to the headquarter in Indianapolis. This position seeks a candidate with hands-on experience in process development of nonviral delivery vehicles, e.g., RNA-lipid nanoparticles. This candidate would collaborate across functions at Lilly’s Boston and Indianapolis sites to advance portfolio assets. If you are interested in developing novel medicine to serve patients, you should consider joining our diverse and high-performing team.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Design and execute process studies to define clinical and potential commercial manufacturing process for RNA-LNPs and other parenteral drug products.

• Lead the efforts to drive the process development of various new modalities, especially RNA-LNPs late-stage development, including assessing and mitigating process risks during scale-up through an understanding of in-process and final product critical quality attributes and critical process parameters.

• Collaborate with project management and other technical leaders to execute complex tech transfer challenges across sites, including both internal and external manufacturing organizations and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the integration of novel excipients into CMC development timeline and appropriate pathway for regulatory submission.

• Collaborate with clinical manufacturing team to support clinical manufacturing at internal and/or external CMOs. Author tech transfer related documents and review batch records to ensure accuracy of the manufacturing steps and process parameters. Provide onsite technical oversight of clinical manufacturing to address any technical hurdles during manufacturing.

• Ensure consistency in technical deliverables and documentation across transfers.

• Partner with analytical colleagues and aid in the transfer and implementation of analytical methods to CMOs of portfolio molecules for in-process testing and CROs for stability testing

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Represent the product research & development organization on project teams. Partner with cross-functional stakeholders including but not limited to project management, analytical development, quality, device delivery, supply chain, internal/external manufacturing, tech/manufacturing service to define drug product and CMC timeline and key deliverables to meet the requirements for regulatory submission.

• External Engagement: Establish and leverage strategic relationships with academic and industry partners to adopt new process technologies to accelerate product development.

• Innovation: Collaborate with early-stage stakeholders to support a strong innovation agenda for the team leading to publications, presentations and industry wide influence. Leverage these innovations to advance the Lilly portfolio.

Basic Requirements:

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field and a minimum of 2 years industry experience OR an MS in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field and a minimum of 10 yrs industry experience. Industry experience required includes nanoparticle formulations, oligonucleotide and/or gene delivery development programs, parenteral formulation, or process development.

Additional Preferences:

• Experience with development of RNA-lipid nanoparticle formulation and manufacturing process is highly preferred.

• Hands-on experience in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes, or drug delivery platforms including RNAs and LNPs is highly preferred.

• Working knowledge and experience with regulatory submissions of RNA-based therapies is preferred.

• Sound understanding of cGMP requirements, ICH and regulatory guidelines is a must

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 Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

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

$129,000 - $209,000

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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