Post-Doctoral Associate, Visual Inspection

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

Job summary

Lilly, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in Visual Inspection (Fixed Duration). You will develop and validate inspection strategies for parenteral drug products, conduct PoD modeling, and advance inspection science in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

The role emphasizes experimental design, particle characterization, and collaboration across GMP-regulated processes, with potential for extension beyond two years and opportunities to

Qualifications

• Experience in particle characterization, materials analysis, or optical/imaging systems.
• Record of publications and conference presentations.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time; visa sponsorship not provided.

Responsibilities

• Ensure reliability of manufacturing and quality systems.
• Search for and implement continuous improvements in inspection strategies.
• Drive technical and scientific projects related to visual inspection of parenteral drug products.
• Maintain processes in compliance with US and global regulations (GMP).
• Design and develop inspection strategies and control systems for parenteral products.

Skills

particle characterization

materials analysis

optical imaging systems

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering/ Chemistry/ Materials Science/ Physics

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.

TECHNICAL SERVICES & MANUFACTURING SCIENCE

Post-Doctoral Associate, Visual Inspection: Full Time (Fixed Duration)

Company Overview

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly makes life better – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Founded over 145 years ago, the company has sustained a culture that values excellence, integrity and respect for people. This has resulted in Lilly frequently being ranked as one of the best companies in the world at which to work. Lilly knows its business has prospered because of its employees – people with a talent for innovation and a passion for making a difference by finding treatments for the most stubborn diseases; people whose talent is matched by their generosity, and people with strong values and a determination to prevail, regardless of the challenges. Join our team – and make a difference in improving health for people all over the world!

Post-Doctoral Associates at Lilly are responsible for:

• Ensuring reliability of our manufacturing and quality systems
• Searching for and implementing continuous improvements
• Driving technical and scientific projects
• Maintaining our processes in a state of compliance with US and global regulations
• Designing and developing inspection strategies and control systems for parenteral drug products

The position is a Post-Doctoral Associate position within the Visual Inspection (VI) group of the Technical Services/Manufacturing Science (TS/MS) organization. The position will provide technical and scientific support within a dynamic manufacturing environment for the development of automated and manual inspection strategies used to detect particulate and container defects in parenteral drug products. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and executing experiments to advance inspection science, probability of detection (PoD) modeling, and particle characterization, as needed.

Associates 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:

• Understanding the scientific principles required for visual inspection of parenteral drug products, including the interaction of defect type, container, and inspection method.
• Understand the formation, classification, and risk profile of particulate and container defects (vials, syringes, cartridges).
• Develop appropriate laboratory-scale models and defect libraries to support inspection qualification studies.
• Design, conduct, and analyze statistically-designed experiments (e.g., probability of detection studies, Knapp reject zone methodology) to deepen inspection process understanding and optimize detection performance.
• Evaluate AI-based strategies for optimization of defect detection performance.
• Understand scale-up requirements and, as needed, partner with manufacturing sites and CMOs to conduct appropriate technology transfer work.
• Provide technical support for automated and manual inspection qualification activities.
• Strong technical writing and documentation of all technical work.
• Mentor lab associates to enhance their technical capabilities.
• Participate in technology transfer as needed.
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively.

Basic Requirements:

Ph.D. in scientific disciplines of Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics or related fields.

Demonstrated experience and proficiency in the areas of particle characterization, materials analysis, or optical/imaging systems.

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 Information

This Post-Doctoral Associate 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.

Lilly is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

LOCATION:

Indianapolis, IN

ELI LILLY AND COMPANY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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)
• 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.

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