CMC AI/ML and Automation Scientist

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a CMC AI/ML and Automation Scientist to leverage data science and AI techniques in drug development. This role involves collaborating with R&D teams to derive insights from diverse data sources and enhance workflows using large language models. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for innovation in healthcare. Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving lives through cutting-edge science and technology, where your contributions will directly impact the development of life-changing medicines.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering with relevant experience.
• Strong programming skills, especially in Python and AI frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D scientists to solve problems using AI/ML.
• Develop decision support tools and lab automation protocols.

Skills

Python

AI/ML techniques

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

M.S. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

PowerBI

Labview

DeltaV

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.

At Lilly, Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) is involved in key activities for the development of synthetic drug substances and drug products starting with pre-clinical phases through commercialization. Our scientists and engineers develop innovative technical and business solutions across a portfolio of projects using their deep technical expertise to accelerate testing of the clinical hypothesis and overall drug development. Through recognizing the value of a hardworking and culturally diverse workforce, SMDD delivers on these responsibilities and helps bring the next generation of life changing medicines to patients.

Job Description

The CMC AI/ML and Automation scientist will collaborate closely with scientists in the product R&D organization to derive value-added insights from data to answer technical and business questions. Candidates must demonstrate a history of strong technical depth, a broad base of modeling and information technology skills, scientific leadership and a willingness to promote a collaborative, team-based approach to problem solving. Additionally, the AI/ML Scientist will contribute to the advancement of new capabilities by utilizing large language models (LLMs) to improve traditional data science workflows and use AI approaches and automation to enable the development of autonomous process and product development laboratories.

Specifically, the candidate will have experience in the following areas:

• Experience in working with different data types and source systems as well as interfacing databases to enable extracting relevant data to address business questions.
• Experience in statistics/artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques to be able to use the right tool for the right question.
• Experience utilizing large language models (LLM) to complement and enhance traditional data science workflows.
• Strong mathematical and coding background with ability to quickly test and screen AI approaches for a problem.
• Ability to merge strong technical depth with technologies in big data to stimulate new hypotheses, workplans, and solutions.
• Ability to communicate the results of analysis in an effective manner to stakeholders to drive action.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with scientists across product R&D to identify and solve problems that can be effectively addressed using a combination of AI/ML and fundamental engineering/science principles.
• Build decision support tools, templates, dashboards for high frequency decisions that can leverage data science approaches.
• Seek out opportunities to apply advances in large language models (LLM), Langchain and prompt engineering to accelerate development workflows.
• Contribute to capability development efforts to use AI-driven methodologies to autonomously design, plan screening and data rich experiments.
• Develop lab automation protocols to execute closed loop hybrid (experimental and compute) workflows.
• Stay current with advancements in AI applications in CMC development.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering or Related area or M.S in Chemical Engineering or Related area with 5+ years experience.

Required skills

• Experience in programming in scripting languages such as Python and learning agility to pick up new languages and tools as needed.
• Familiarity with AI frameworks and tools (e.g. TensorFlow, pyTorch).
• Experience in working with varied data types (structured and unstructured) and databases.
• At least 3 years experience in applying data science/AI techniques either in research or industry.
• Experience applying LLMs either in research or industry.
• Experience working with lab or process automation systems such as DeltaV, Labview or other open source systems.
• Familiarity with automated lab reactors/equipment and willingness to working in the lab to develop automation solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to convey technical concepts to non-experts and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

Additional skills/preferences:

• Familiarity with big data technologies (such as Azure/AWS).
• Proficiency in Microsoft products (Excel, Access, Word, Power Point, VBA, PowerBI).
• Experience with data integration and visualization tools (e.g. PowerBI, Spotfire).
• Experience in creating a prototype user interface (such as a web application) for AI/data science-based solutions.
• Familiarity with unit operation design, process modeling, process equipment selection, data rich experiments, PAT utilization in the laboratory and production facilities, and scale-up methodologies.
• Familiarity with organic chemistry, chemical synthesis, and route design.
• Familiarity with various drug product formulation platforms.
• Familiarity with online and offline analytical techniques and process analytical technologies (PAT).