Associate Director, Molecular Neuropharmacology

Lilly; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k) plan

Pension

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Vacation benefits

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an Associate Director to provide scientific leadership for molecular pharmacology within neuroscience discovery and development. The role demands strategic planning, collaboration across internal and external teams, and a strong pharmacology background in receptor biology and signaling.

The successful candidate will mentor scientists, design experiments, and integrate data across disciplines to guide program decisions in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmacology, Neuroscience, or a closely related scientific discipline with substantial experience in supporting drug discovery research.
• 6+ years of experience within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Strong foundation in molecular pharmacology, with expertise in receptor pharmacology, GPCR biology, cellular signaling, mechanistic pharmacology, neuroscience, or related disciplines.
• Broad understanding of experimental approaches used to characterize compound pharmacology, receptor and target biology, and biological mechanisms.
• Experience developing scientific strategy and independently addressing complex experimental and drug discovery questions.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate data across experimental systems and scientific disciplines.
• Experience directing collaborative research activities involving internal and/or external scientific partners.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop scientists.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment and manage multiple scientific priorities.
• Excellent scientific judgment, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for molecular pharmacology activities supporting neuroscience discovery and development programs.
• Develop pharmacology strategies and experimental plans to address key questions related to compound activity, receptor and target biology, signaling, mechanism of action, and translation.
• Design, guide, and interpret pharmacological studies using recombinant, endogenous, native, or other relevant experimental systems.
• Guide advanced characterization of therapeutic compounds using appropriate functional, binding, mechanistic, cellular, molecular, or translational approaches.
• Apply expertise in molecular pharmacology and receptor biology to identify scientific questions and experimental approaches that can inform program decisions.
• Integrate pharmacological and biological data across experimental systems and disciplines to develop clear scientific conclusions and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry, in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, translational sciences, and other scientific partners to advance program objectives.
• Establish productive scientific partnerships with internal collaborators and external research organizations; provide appropriate scientific direction while leveraging complementary expertise.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex scientific and experimental challenges.
• Mentor scientists and contribute to a collaborative environment characterized by scientific rigor, intellectual curiosity, and high-quality execution.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, methodologies, and scientific approaches and apply them where they can meaningfully advance research programs.
• Communicate scientific strategy, results, and recommendations effectively to multidisciplinary project teams and research leadership.

Skills

Molecular pharmacology

Receptor biology

Data integration

Mentor scientists

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

PhD in Pharmacology, Neuroscience, or related field

Job description

Lilly is seeking an Associate Director to provide scientific leadership for molecular pharmacology within neuroscience discovery and development. The role demands strategic planning, collaboration across internal and external teams, and a strong pharmacology background in receptor biology and signaling.

The successful candidate will mentor scientists, design experiments, and integrate data across disciplines to guide program decisions in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.