Director of Cell Line Development – AI-Driven Platform Leader

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.

Indianapolis (IN)

On-site

USD 153,000 - 264,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k) plan

Pension plan

Vacation benefits

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Lilly, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, seeks a Senior Advisor Scientist to lead the cell line development platform within BR&D, driving strategy and innovation for large molecule pipelines. You will mentor scientists, champion AI/ML in CLD, and collaborate across CMC teams to translate advances into faster delivery.

The role requires deep biopharma expertise, cross-functional planning, and a track record of impactful leadership in cell line engineering.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related field with 6+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, with a sustained record of platform leadership and technical mentoring.
Hands-on expertise in mammalian cell culture, transfection, clone screening, stability assessment, and cell banking.
Experience integrating lab automation, high-throughput screening, and digital tools into CLD workflows.
Proficiency in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-editing campaigns and application of molecular analytical tools, such as digital PCR and NGS.
Working knowledge of CMC regulatory expectations for cell line development and submission-ready documentation.
Demonstrated ability to coach, and mentor scientists, and set technical direction for a team.
Ability to work cross-functionally, plan effectively, and prioritize goals to meet accelerated timelines.

Responsibilities

Lead the technical strategy for Lilly CHO cell line development platform by advancing the technical capabilities and workflows that enable the large-molecule portfolio.
Evaluate and deploy emerging molecular, automation, and analytical technologies that increase cell line productivity, enhance target product quality, and shorten CLD timelines.
Champion AI/ML across the CLG workflow to accelerate clone selection and enhance data-driven decision-making.
Serve as the cell line development lead on cross-functional CMC teams, translating platform advances into faster, more robust delivery across the large molecule pipeline.
Mentor and develop scientists and research associates, to establish best practices and data standards that scale the group's capability.
Author and review the technical reports and regulatory documentation (IND, BLA) that carry cell line development through submission.
Build and lead external collaborations through academic partnerships and industry consortia to scout and evaluate emerging cell line development technologies.
Present scientific findings internally and externally through conferences and peer-reviewed publications, strengthening Lilly’s reputation in cell line engineering.