Head of In Vitro Biology - ASCVD & Lipid Therapeutics

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

Job summary

Lilly in Indianapolis, IN is seeking an experienced lab head to lead an In Vitro Biology laboratory supporting ASCVD and Kidney Health programs. You will set strategy, build assays, and advance targets to clinical candidates while coordinating with pharmacology, chemistry, biotherapeutics, and translational teams.

The role requires leading a team, ensuring data quality, and driving programs to timely clinical candidate selection, with collaboration across in vivo and translational science

Qualifications

• Ph.D., Masters or Bachelors in cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, vascular biology, lipid metabolism or a science related discipline.
• If Ph.D is held, then a minimum of 6 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia.
• If Masters degree is held, then minimum 12 years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia.
• If Bachelors degree is held, then minimum 15 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia.
• Demonstrated experience leading a laboratory or research group.
• Drug-discovery experience on programs in the pharmaceutical industry relevant to ASCVD and Kidney Health.

Responsibilities

• Lead the laboratory and manage an in vitro biology laboratory.
• Set scientific direction and priorities, allocate scientists and resources across programs.
• Ensure data quality, compliance and lab safety.
• Design the in vitro biology strategy for multiple discovery programs from target validation through lead optimization.
• Define screening cascades and go/no-go criteria; make data-driven recommendations.
• Build screening assays (cell-based, biochemical, enzymatic and binding).
• Oversee molecular/biochemical readouts (qPCR, western blot, ELISA, lipid quantitation, flow cytometry).
• Implement assays to progress projects; establish plate-based workflows on automated platforms.
• Validate targets for ASCVD event reduction with pharmacological tools and genetic evidence.
• Lead projects across modalities; define plans, coordinate cross-functional contributions to drive decisions.
• Communicate data and recommendations to teams and leadership.
• Develop people; coach, set goals, recruit and retain talent.
• Shape strategy and external innovation; represent Lilly externally.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Team mentorship

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

PhD in cell biology/biochemistry/pharmacology

Masters in related field

Bachelor's in related field

Tools

qPCR

Western blot

ELISA

SPR

BLI

TR-FRET

Cell-based assays

High-content imaging

Job description

Lilly in Indianapolis, IN is seeking an experienced lab head to lead an In Vitro Biology laboratory supporting ASCVD and Kidney Health programs. You will set strategy, build assays, and advance targets to clinical candidates while coordinating with pharmacology, chemistry, biotherapeutics, and translational teams.

The role requires leading a team, ensuring data quality, and driving programs to timely clinical candidate selection, with collaboration across in vivo and translational science