Director - ADME/DMPK Project Leader - Small Molecule Development

100 Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 177,000 - 308,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Pension

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Well-being programs

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an experienced pharmaceutical scientist to lead ADME science and advance portfolio strategies. You will guide cross-functional teams, design experiments, and interpret data to optimize absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion for diverse modalities.

The role emphasizes regulatory-driven data packages, collaboration with Discovery and Development, and rigorous scientific leadership across projects. A Ph.D. and extensive ADME experience are required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with 6+ years in drug metabolism and disposition or clinical pharmacology.
• Deep experience in ADME across drug modalities including small molecules and biologics.
• Strong PK/PD knowledge and ability to communicate complex concepts clearly.

Responsibilities

• Deliver scientifically integrated data packages to guide compound selection and regulatory submissions.
• Lead cross-functional teams to assess drugability and optimize ADME properties.
• Develop content for regulatory documents (IB, IND, IMPD, NDA/BLA).
• Mentor junior scientists in multi-property optimization using mechanistic ADME.

Skills

ADME

Pharmacokinetics

Cross-functional

Regulatory communication

Project management

Education

Ph.D. in Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacology/Pharmaceutics/Biochemistry or related

Tools

SimCYP

GastroPlus

NONMEM

Matlab

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. Lilly’s Drug Disposition team is searching for an experienced pharmaceutical scientist to lead the application of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) science to advance our portfolio. Working on cross‑functional teams, our diverse group is multidisciplinary, applying in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches to mechanistically study the pharmacokinetics, absorption, and disposition of small molecules, biologics/antibodies, peptides, ADCs, siRNAs, gene therapies, and other complex modalities. You will serve as technical leader within the department and across portfolio cross‑functional teams. This role will require engaging in experimental design and data interpretation to deliver the discovery and development portfolio of investigational targets and novel therapeutics. We are passionate about making an impact in the lives of our patients. Consider joining our efforts!

Responsibilities:

Accountable for the delivery of scientifically integrated data packages to guide compound selection, study design, portfolio decisions, and regulatory submissions. Partner with cross‑functional colleagues in both Discovery and Development (eg. Toxicology, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Clinical PK/PD, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, and Medical) to assess drugability and optimize ADME properties to deliver drug candidates to the clinic, as well as to design and support nonclinical and clinical studies, supporting global registration packages. Lead R&D initiatives to grow and develop ADME/DMPK capabilities across experimental and drug modalities including small molecules, biologics/antibodies, peptides, ADCs, siRNAs, gene therapies, and other complex modalities. Integrate in vitro, in vivo, and in silico ADME data with Biology and Chemistry understanding to define structure‑activity‑and structure‑property‑relationships and deliver favorable molecular and experimental design strategies. Prepare data packages and develop content in regulatory documents (eg. IB, IND, IMPD, NDA/BLA, etc.) to support global regulatory submissions (including sections 2.6.4./non‑clinical pharmacokinetics and 2.7.2./clinical pharmacology) and correspondence as well as represent ADME in face‑to‑face discussions with regulators. Guide junior, peer, and upper level scientists in best and modern practices of multi‑property optimization through the use of mechanistic ADME principles. Communicate the value of mechanistic ADME approaches both internally within R&D and externally including regulatory agencies. Build a strong external network (e.g. academia, consortia) and keep up to date with emerging literature and science in the area.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Biochemistry, or related field with 6 years or more of extensive training in the field of drug metabolism and disposition or clinical pharmacology.

Additional Skills/ Preferences:

• Experience in drug discovery and development across a variety of therapeutic areas.
• Deep experience with small molecules preferred.
• Additional experience with at least one other modality desired, such as biologics/antibodies, peptides, ADCs, siRNAs, gene therapies, and other complex modalities.
• Detailed understanding of pharmacokinetics, ADME, drug interactions and proficiency to communicate theory and concepts clearly.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and handle competing responsibilities.
• Experience with modeling software (e.g. SimCYP, GastroPlus, NONMEM, Matlab, etc.).
• Demonstrate strong communication skills with the ability to integrate diverse perspectives, deliver critical messaging, and influence leaders/key partners.
• Collaborative team behaviors and aspiration to build and sustain relationships with R&D customers and the wider scientific community.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions.

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 $177,000 - $308,000 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!