Post-Doc Scientist – Parenteral Product Network – TSMS Sterility Assurance and Microbiology Support

BioSpace; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Health and dental benefits

Well-being programs

Job summary

Lilly is seeking a Post-Doctoral Scientist in Sterility Assurance and Microbiology for the TS/MS organization in Indianapolis, Indiana. The role emphasizes designing experiments, advancing sterility capabilities, and supporting aseptic manufacturing in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities include mentoring site SMEs, developing new processes, and collaborating with R&D to align control strategies with regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in scientific discipline relevant to microbiology or biochemistry.
• Experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and aseptic operations.
• Record of publication or presentations at scientific conferences.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and analyze statistically designed experiments.
• Provide mentoring and SME leadership across Sterility Assurance topics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure robust control strategies.
• Develop laboratory models for manufacturing solutions related to sterility.

Skills

Microbiology

Molecular biology

Aseptic operations

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Microbiology/Biology/Biochemistry or related field

Tools

Peer-reviewed publications

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.

Company Overview

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our 39,000 employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. #WeAreLilly

Organization Overview

Lilly is entering an exciting period of growth, and we are committed to delivering innovative medicines to patients around the world. Lilly is investing to create a new technical services laboratory capability in Indianapolis, Indiana. This new capability will be used to support the entire Lilly operational network as well as evaluate and develop new technologies that will enable Lilly to be an industry leader and enhance our service to patients.

Position Title: Post-Doc Scientist - Parenteral Product Network - TSMS Sterility Assurance and Microbiology Support

Pay Grade Level: R0

Job Function: TS/MS

Position Brand Description

Post-Doctoral Sterility Assurance and Microbiology Scientists at Lilly are responsible for:

• Ensuring reliability of our manufacturing systems
• Searching for and implementing continuous improvements
• Driving technical projects
• Maintaining our processes in a state of compliance with US and global regulations
• Designing and developing improved Sterility Assurance and Applied Pharmaceutical Microbiology processes and controls

The position is a Post-Doctoral scientist position in the Technical Services/Manufacturing Science (TS/MS) organization. The position will provide technical and scientific support within a dynamic manufacturing environment for aseptic manufacturing and laboratory methods. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and executing experiments to advance technical capability associated to sterility assurance and applied pharmaceutical microbiology both in a manufacturing and laboratory environment.

Scientists actively contribute to the TS/MS organization and have extensive opportunities for involvement in cross-functional teams. This position allows for development of a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements, and the essential role scientists play in making medicine and creating real-world solutions.

Key Objectives/Deliverables

• Work closely with site and cross-functional SMEs to drive alignment. Ensure control strategies are robust, consistent with regulatory and compliance expectations, and are continuously improved.
• Assume SME leadership role for a specific topic area within Sterility Assurance across the network, including harmonization of aspects of the topic area and dissemination of the knowledge across the network.
• Provide mentoring leadership to site SMEs to help continue to build capability and talent, particularly at the newer sites or where deep technical expertise is lacking.
• Building, maintaining, and growing capability across the organization in the sterility assurance space
• Benchmark industry trends and new technologies to ensure Lilly stays current with new trends and technologies and share with the network with the goal of staying current with industry best practices.
• Work with PR&D on new technology / platform development and implementation for pipeline products. Influence the agenda within PR&D to ensure the needs of Manufacturing are met, and the control strategies are fit-for-purpose for robust and compliant commercial manufacturing.
• Develop appropriate laboratory models for potential manufacturing solutions related to Sterility Assurance.
• Design, conduct, and analyze statistically-designed experiments.
• Strong technical writing and documentation of all work in an appropriate manner.
• Mentor lab associates to enhance their technical capabilities.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively.

Basic Requirements

• Ph.D. in scientific disciplines of Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience and proficiency in the areas of microbiology, molecular biology and/or aseptic operations
• Requires a record of publication in peer reviewed journals and presentations / posters at scientific conferences.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Additional Preferences

• This Post-Doctoral Scientist position is not permanent. It is for a fixed duration of two years with potential to extend to 3 years and for maximum of up to 4 years. You will have opportunities to apply for full time positions after your duration is complete.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work effectively independently, as well as collaboratively in teams.
• Strong scheduling and organizational skills.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis.
• Ability to prioritize, attention to detail, critical decision-making skills, complex problem-solving abilities.
• Understanding of the scientific method and scientific principles of microbiology.
• Understanding of general laboratory safety expectations.
• Minimal Travel Required
• Strong problem solving and communication skills.
• Prior laboratory work experience and experience with general microbiology laboratory testing techniques and practices.
• Effective time management.

Education Requirements

• Ph.D. in scientific disciplines of Microbiology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related fields.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

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 $58,000 - $123,200

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