AI Scientist

100 Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 153,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an AI Scientist to build, deploy, and scale AI/ML solutions across commercial and finance functions. The role is hands-on, collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for innovation with AI and to create scalable solutions.

The position requires a Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience, strong Python/SQL skills, and production ML deployment expertise. The work location is Indianapolis with a flexible hybrid model (3 days onsite, 2 remote).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Economics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years related working experience.
• Experience deploying and operating machine learning models in production, including feature stores, ML pipelines, and model monitoring.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Experience in at least one business area such as product planning, portfolio management, analytics, or marketing in life sciences.

Responsibilities

• Solve complex business problems with advanced analytics and AI/ML methods.
• Develop, deploy, and scale production analytics solutions, including feature engineering, data pipelines, monitoring, and retraining.
• Apply AI to complex business problems and decisions.
• Drive innovation by introducing new methods and technology and leading their adoption.
• Influence and improve strategic decision-making with AI.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and mentor teammates.

Skills

AI/ML expertise

Python

SQL

Production ML

MLOps

Cloud platforms

Data pipelines

Communication

Leadership

Healthcare industry

Education

Master's degree in Economics/CS/AM/OR/Engineering

PhD in related field (preferred)

Tools

Python

SQL

MLflow

AWS

Azure

Airflow

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.

What You'll Be Doing

As an AI Scientist you will be responsible for building, deploying, and scaling AI and machine learning solutions that drive business decisions in commercial, finance, and other functions. This is a hands‑on role. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams across the enterprise to identify opportunities for innovation with AI and create solutions.

How You’ll Succeed

Conduct research to identify emerging methods and technologies, and champion their adoption

Build and deploy machine learning and AI solutions on enterprise platforms

Communicate insights and recommendations to technical and non‑technical stakeholders

Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously

What You Will Do

Solve complex business problems with advanced analytics and AI/ML methods

Develop, deploy, and scale production analytics solutions, including feature engineering, data pipelines, monitoring, and retraining

Apply AI to complex business problems and decisions

Drive innovation by introducing new methods and technology and leading their adoption

Influence and improve strategic decision‑making with AI

Collaborate with cross‑functional teams

Mentor team members and promote engineering and modeling best practices

Basic Requirements

• Master in Economics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Engineering or related field
• Must have at least 5 years related working experience
• Experience deploying and operating machine learning models in production, including feature stores, ML pipelines, and model monitoring
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL
• Experience in at least one of the following business areas: new product planning, portfolio management, commercial analytics, real world evidence, corporate strategy, or marketing in life sciences

Additional Preferences

• Experience with MLOps practices such as model registries and CI/CD for machine learning
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms such as AWS or Azure
• Knowledge of generative AI and agentic applications
• Experience with forecasting, experimentation, or causal inference
• Pharmaceutical or healthcare industry experience
• Demonstrated record of innovation, taking new methods from idea to business adoption
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills
• Ph.D. in Economics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Physics, Engineering or quantitative related field with at least 3 years related working experience

Main Attributes

• Business credibility with senior stakeholders
• Hands‑on technical
• Innovative mindset
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication skills

Location & Work Flexibility

This role is based at our Lilly Corporate Center in Indianapolis, IN. We offer a flexible hybrid work model, with three days onsite and two days working remotely each week, supporting both collaboration and work‑life balance.

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 $153,000 - $246,400 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.

#WeAreLilly

At Lilly we strive to ensure our employees are part of a team that cares about them and our shared purpose of making life better for those around the world. How do we do this? We continue to look for ways to include, innovate, accelerate and deliver while maintaining integrity, excellence and respect for people. We hope that you seek to join us on our journey as we create medicine and deliver improved outcomes for patients across the globe!