Director, Immunology Platform Strategy & T Cell Innovation

100 Eli Lilly and Company; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 168,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking a leader to drive the biology strategy for novel platform projects in immunology, shaping internal platform efforts from design through validation. The role emphasizes building platforms with autoimmune and broader immunology disease focus, and translating platform innovation into therapeutic potential.

The candidate will lead integrated in vivo studies, co-create with molecule maker colleagues, and guide go/no-go decisions while evaluating external programs to inform

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology, pharmacology, cell biology, bioengineering, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of related experience.
• Experience building platform technologies for therapeutics.
• Experience leading internal, lab-facing scientists in a matrixed research organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead biology strategy for novel platform-related projects across immunology diseases to enable next-generation therapeutics through emerging modalities and technologies
• Build the biological strategy by integrating disease biology, target context, platform requirements and the experimental evidence needed to validate platform potential
• Define strategic priorities, key decision points and focus areas for platform co-creation, target implementation and broader internal and external opportunities
• Evaluate external programs, technologies and partnership opportunities to inform adoption, differentiation and decisions about platform bets
• Align cross-functional stakeholders, including molecule maker colleagues and other partners, around platform design, biological validation plans and the path forward across multiple targets
• Lead biological validation of the platform and its application to selected targets, including integrated in vivo studies that extend beyond limited in vitro characterization
• Drive disciplined execution through clear scientific judgment, go/no-go recommendations and a focused team environment that supports rigor, urgency, collaboration and data-driven decision-making

Skills

Immunology expertise

Platform technologies

In vivo validation

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic judgment

Data-driven decisions

Education

PhD in immunology, pharmacology, cell biology, bioengineering, or related field

Job description

Lilly is seeking a leader to drive the biology strategy for novel platform projects in immunology, shaping internal platform efforts from design through validation. The role emphasizes building platforms with autoimmune and broader immunology disease focus, and translating platform innovation into therapeutic potential.

The candidate will lead integrated in vivo studies, co-create with molecule maker colleagues, and guide go/no-go decisions while evaluating external programs to inform