Advisor/Senior Advisor, Purification Development

BioSpace; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 126,000 - 204,600; Full time

Job summary

Lilly in Indianapolis seeks a Purification Development Scientist to drive downstream processes for biologics, including monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy related products. You will design, optimize, and transfer purification steps, maintain rigorous data records, and present findings to technical teams.

Role requires a strong scientific foundation, excellent communication, and collaboration across Safety, QA, Regulatory, and Manufacturing.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS with strong purification/process development background.
• Experience leading protein purification and tech transfer.
• Ability to interact with multiple cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new purification technologies.
• Design optimized downstream drug substance processes for new biologic candidates.
• Maintain accurate records and interpret data for experiments.
• Oversee process transfer to GMP manufacturing facilities from discovery to clinic.
• Write technical reports and present development activities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Laboratory skills

Purification development

AAV/mRNA purification

Membrane filtration

Process control systems

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering or related biology separation sciences

MS in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering or related with 5+ years leading purification

BS in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering or related with 8+ years leading purification

Tools

Unicorn

Empower

Electronic lab notebooks

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.

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Position Summary

The Bioproduct Research and Development organization strives to deliver creative medicines to patients through the development and commercialization of insulins, monoclonal antibodies, novel therapeutic proteins, peptides, oligonucleotide therapies and gene therapy systems. This organization is a multidisciplinary group that works collaboratively with our discovery and manufacturing colleagues. Located in Indianapolis, scientists have full access to our scientific excellence and engineering capabilities.

Do you enjoy downstream drug substance processes including purifying and filtering monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, viral vectors, bioconjugates and peptides? Do you have experience with process development and tech transfer? Are you skilled in the analytical techniques used to characterize bioproducts? If so, then a role as a Purification Development Scientist is waiting for you.

This role requires a strong scientific foundation, effective interaction and communication of technical information with, but not limited to, Safety, Environmental and Quality Team members, Purification Development colleagues, CMC Team members, Discovery team members, Analytical Services, Tech Service/Manufacturing Science representatives, Operations, Engineering, Regulatory and Maintenance personnel.

Especially important, in this role, is that you adhere to all safety and environmental guidelines and promote a proactive safety culture and environmental compliance in all areas.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new purification technologies.
• Design optimized downstream drug substance processes for new biologic candidates.
• Maintain accurate records and interpret data to provide detailed information and analysis on the execution of experiments.
• Employ strategic thinking to overcome technical hurdles and oversee process and technical transfer to GMP manufacturing facilities, as they make their way from discovery to the clinic.
• Write technical reports, tech transfer documents and give presentations to summarize development activities.
• Maintain flexibility to accept new projects and challenges.
• Troubleshoot issues as they occur and identify trends and opportunities to reduce process variability.

Basic Requirements

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or related degree focused on biological separation sciences OR
• MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related degree with at least 5 years relevant experience in leading protein purification/process development OR
• BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related degree with at least 8 years relevant experience in leading protein purification/process development

Additional Preferences

• Ability to exhibit a high level of attention to detail, a quality-minded approach to experimental design and record keeping.
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong laboratory skills
• Experience purifying complex bioconjugates (e.g., ADCs, PEGylated proteins, antibody‑oligonucleotide conjugates).
• Purification development experience with AAV, mRNA, or other gene therapy strategies.
• Extensive knowledge of membrane filtration
• Ability to interact and form dynamic relationships with a wide range of groups.
• Experience with process control and documentation systems (Unicorn, Empower, electronic laboratory notebooks).
• General interpersonal and communication skills; mentoring, feedback, training, and cultivating an environment for learning and open/honest communication.
• Basic analytical skills and understanding
• Advanced problem‑solving skills
• Experience interfacing with CDMOs or external development partners
• Experience supporting late-phase process development activities, such as risk assessment, process characterization, or regulatory filing

Physical Demands/Travel

The physical demands of this job are consistent with a lab environment.

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Work Environment

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the role and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 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

$126,000 - $204,600

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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