Associate Oligonucleotide Chemist

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k) plan

Health benefits

Vacation benefits

Well-being programs

Job summary

Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana, invites you to join the RNA Therapeutics team to advance oligonucleotide-based drug discovery. You will synthesize and optimize oligonucleotide chemistries, troubleshoot workflows, and collaborate across chemists to accelerate project goals.

The role requires a BS/MS in Chemistry with 1–2 years of relevant synthetic experience and work authorization in the United States. A proactive safety culture and strong documentation will be valued.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Chemistry or related field with 1–2 years of synthetic organic and/or oligonucleotide chemistry experience.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize, purify, and analyze modified oligonucleotides, conjugates, and small molecules.
• Champion an effective and proactive safety culture.
• Independently troubleshoot synthetic challenges and improve lab workflows.
• Maintain lab productivity and operate oligonucleotide synthesizers and other equipment
• Collaborate with chemists across fields to meet project goals.
• Interpret SAR and generate new oligonucleotide-based designs.
• Search literature and apply new strategies as needed.
• Document procedures and present results in reports.

Skills

Oligonucleotide synthesis

Small molecule synthesis

Bioconjugation chemistry

Analytical characterization

Record keeping & communication

Team-oriented / entrepreneurial

Education

BS/MS in Chemistry

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.

In the RNA Therapeutics team, we are building innovative expertise in major oligonucleotide-based therapeutics and delivery approaches, with an emphasis on innovative approaches with potential for breakthrough efficacy. Our agile and diverse team strives to operate as an autonomous ‘biotech-like’ company within the walls of Lilly. We are looking for an engaged and independent team member who will make impactful contributions to next-generation preclinical drug discovery efforts. Oligonucleotide laboratory chemists as well as experienced small molecule chemists with a desire to transition to oligonucleotide chemistry are encouraged to apply.

You will join our fast-paced, interdisciplinary team as we discover novel RNA/oligonucleotide-based medicines with disease-curing potential. The successful applicant will use their knowledge and technical expertise to complement and enable core capabilities and help drive the discovery and development of RNA-based clinical candidates. Do you have the skills for innovative applied chemistry towards drug discovery and a desire to use your skills to improve lives? We want you on our team!

Responsibilities:

• Synthesize, purify, and analyze modified oligonucleotides, conjugates, and small molecules that efficiently advance project goals
• Champion an effective and proactive safety culture
• Independently troubleshoot synthetic challenges and drive continuous improvement of laboratory workflows
• Maintain high laboratory productivity including the operation and maintenance of an oligonucleotide synthesizer and/or other scientific equipment
• Collaborate with chemists and scientists across fields to deliver on shared project goals through focused experiment execution.
• Interpret and communicate structure-activity relationships and generate new oligonucleotide-based designs
• Search relevant chemical and scientific literature and implement new strategies and techniques accordingly
• Accurately document experimental procedures and communicate results via presentations and written reports

Basic Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Chemistry or a related field with at least 1-2 years of experience in synthetic organic and/or oligonucleotide chemistry
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Experience in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis, including operation and troubleshooting of automated solid-phase synthesizers and optimization of synthetic protocols
• Experience in small molecule organic synthesis including design of synthetic strategies, reaction optimization, work-up/purification techniques, and characterization (NMR, MS, etc.)
• Experience in the optimization of purification protocols for oligonucleotides
• Knowledge or experience in the areas of bioconjugation chemistry as applied to peptides or oligonucleotides
• Experience with analytical and physicochemical characterization of novel biomaterials (e.g., mass spectrometry, separation techniques and other biophysical/biochemical techniques)
• Excellent record keeping and communication skills
• Confident, execution-focused, and team-oriented with a desire to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment

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

$65,250 - $169,400

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.

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