Advisor — Synthetic Chemist / Peptide Therapeutics (Indianapolis)

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 126,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

Lilly, a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, seeks a bench‑level scientist for the Peptide Therapeutics Team. The role leads SAR‑driven peptide design, synthesis, conjugation, and evaluation of biopharmaceutical properties to inform clinical candidate selection.

You will collaborate across Discovery Chemistry, genetic medicines, ADME, and developability areas, mentoring junior scientists and contributing to publications and patents while driving innovative solutions

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry/biochemistry or related STEM field with focus on peptide chemistry, bioconjugation, or synthetic organic chemistry.
• 0–3 years of industry experience in biotechnology/pharmaceutical setting.
• Publication or patent record reflecting hands-on peptide, bioconjugate, or synthetic chemistry work.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on SAR strategies from concept to optimization for peptides and conjugates.
• Develop workflows and characterize biopharmaceutical properties of leads.
• Mentor junior scientists and share tools across the team.
• Publish, patent, or present work to maintain scientific productivity.

Skills

Peptide chemistry

Bioconjugation

Synthetic organic chemistry

SAR optimization

Mentoring

Analytical methods

Molecular modeling

Collaborative research

Education

Ph.D. in chemistry/biochemistry or related STEM

Tools

Peptide synthesis

Bioconjugation techniques

HPLC/LC-MS

Molecular modeling software

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.

This is a lab-based technical scientific position in the Peptide Therapeutics Team within Biotechnology Discovery Research in Indianapolis. The individual will design, synthesize, optimize, and characterize therapeutic peptides and bioconjugates as projects advance from concept through clinical candidate selection. This role requires a hands-on scientist who will lead from the bench — independently driving structure-activity relationship (SAR) strategies, building and maintaining critical workflows, and generating the data that shapes project decisions. The individual will serve as a scientific anchor for the group’s chemistry efforts.

To accomplish this, the individual will integrate knowledge across peptide chemistry, bioconjugation, and pharmaceutical developability to propose creative solutions and future directions. They will collaborate cross-functionally within Biotechnology Discovery Research and across such areas as Discovery Chemistry, Genetic Medicines, Therapeutic Area teams, ADME, and Bioproduct Development, building the inclusive and effective relationships expected of scientists at this level.

KEY OBJECTIVES/DELIVERABLES:

• Bench Leadership & SAR Execution: Lead hands-on research efforts from concept through optimization, including peptide and conjugate design, synthesis, conjugation, and characterization of biopharmaceutical properties. Develop and execute hypothesis-driven SAR strategies that efficiently test key questions. Implement rational approaches to improve pharmaceutical properties of therapeutic peptide leads and conjugates, drawing on skills in peptide synthesis, molecular modeling, and physicochemical characterization.
• Innovation & Problem-Solving: Bring a data-driven, strategic mindset to peptide optimization. Integrate information from prior SAR efforts, literature, and cross-functional data sources to identify productive paths forward. Challenge existing approaches when warranted and champion novel solutions to scientific problems at the interface of peptide engineering, developability, formulation, and biology.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence: Coordinate effectively across departments to advance projects — partnering with therapeutic area scientists, ADME, developability, and immunogenicity teams to ensure the right studies are designed and prioritized. Communicate research findings clearly to project teams and governance committees. Contribute to an inclusive team environment by mentoring and developing junior scientists and by actively sharing knowledge and tools that elevate the group’s collective capabilities.
• Scientific Productivity & External Engagement: Maintain a productive scientific track record through publications, patents, and/or conference presentations. Stay current with advances in the field and bring external knowledge into Lilly’s research efforts.
  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related STEM discipline with a focus on peptide chemistry, bioconjugation, or synthetic organic chemistry.
• 0–3 years of industry experience in a biotechnology/pharmaceutical setting.
• A demonstrated publication or patent record reflecting hands-on expertise in peptide, bioconjugate, or synthetic chemistry research.
  

ADDITIONAL PREFERENCES:

• Experience designing and executing SAR campaigns for therapeutic peptides, including optimization of potency, selectivity, and developability properties.
• Hands-on experience with bioconjugation chemistry (e.g., acylation, PEGylation, linker chemistry, multi-molecular conjugation approaches).
• Familiarity with macrocyclic peptides and/or library-based screening technologies (e.g., mRNA display, phage display, related platforms).
• Experience using modern analytical and biophysical methods to characterize peptides, proteins, and conjugates.
• Familiarity with computational or structural approaches to peptide design and optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor others and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive lab environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and presentation skills, with an appreciation for how peptide formulation and developability requirements shape candidate selection.

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 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

$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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