Director of Cell Line Development & AI-Driven Platform

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 153,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

401(k) matching and pension

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Eli Lilly and Company headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, seeks a Senior Advisor Scientist to lead the cell line development platform within BR&D. You will set technical direction, drive innovative workflows, and mentor scientists in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Lead cross-functional teams on CMC activities, champion AI/ML for clone selection, and contribute to IND/BLA submissions while advancing large-molecule programs. This is a demanding role with high impact on patient lives.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field with 6+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience.
• Hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture, transfection, clone screening, stability assessment and cell banking.
• Experience integrating automation, high-throughput screening, and digital tools into CLD workflows (FACS, microfluidic screening, ambr).
• Knowledge of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and analytical tools (digital PCR, NGS) for gene expression dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical strategy for Lilly CHO cell line development platform and advance capabilities.
• Evaluate and deploy technologies that increase cell line productivity and product quality.
• Champion AI/ML across CLD workflows to accelerate clone selection and data-driven decisions.
• Serve as cell line development lead on cross-functional teams and ensure robust delivery.
• Mentor scientists and establish data standards to scale capabilities.
• Author and review IND/BLA technical reports and regulatory documentation.
• Build external collaborations with academia and industry consortia.
• Present findings internally and at conferences to strengthen Lilly's reputation.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Transfection

Clone screening

Stability assessment

Cell banking

AI/ML in CLD workflows

Mentoring/leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project planning

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field

Tools

FACS

Microfluidic screening

Ambr micro-bioreactors

CRISPR/Cas9

digital PCR

NGS

Job description

Eli Lilly and Company headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, seeks a Senior Advisor Scientist to lead the cell line development platform within BR&D. You will set technical direction, drive innovative workflows, and mentor scientists in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Lead cross-functional teams on CMC activities, champion AI/ML for clone selection, and contribute to IND/BLA submissions while advancing large-molecule programs. This is a demanding role with high impact on patient lives.