Post-Doctoral Scientist - Formulations Bioproduct Research & Development - FDE

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

Job summary

Lilly in Indianapolis, IN is seeking a post-doctoral scientist to advance protein and peptide therapeutics through mechanistic formulation strategies. You will translate molecular insights into robust platform strategies and work with cross-functional teams across drug substance, drug product, and structural biology.

Requirements include a Ph.D. in a relevant field, strong communication skills, and hands-on experience with biophysical techniques.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in relevant scientific field (Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical/Biomedical Engineering) from an accredited program.
• Strong foundation in protein biophysics, structural biology, biologic formulation science, or analytical characterization of peptide/protein therapeutics.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time (Lilly does not sponsor visas).

Responsibilities

• Investigate physical stability of modalities under formulation parameters (pH, concentration, ionic strength).
• Apply biophysical/analytical techniques to characterize molecular interactions and impact on structure, viscosity, and stability.
• Develop mechanistic/kinetic models linking formulation and PK/PD outcomes.
• Stay current with literature to inform experimental design.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across SBD, drug substance, structural biology, analytical sciences, formulation, PK/PD modeling.
• Identify key needs across drug product development and propose solutions.
• Present findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare technical reports, summaries, manuscripts, and conference presentations.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in structural biology and drug delivery.

Skills

Strong research skills

Excellent communication

Biophysics knowledge

Education

Ph.D. in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related

Tools

Bio-NMR

SAXS

Neutron scattering

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

SEC-MALS

SLS/DLS

DSC

ITC

HPLC/UPLC

HDX-MS

XRPD

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.

When it comes to research and development, our goal is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that make life better for people around the world. It’s challenging, expensive and often unpredictable. Yet each outcome advances medical science and deepens our understanding of disease, biology and chemistry – ultimately bringing new solutions one step closer to reality.

Over the course of our history, we have shed light on some of the toughest health care problems known to humankind – diabetes, heart disease, infectious diseases, neuroscience disorders, cancer and more. We could not pursue this without our research and development team.

Postdoctoral scientists help us continue this pursuit. During your experience you will get:

• Top industry research experience
• Mentoring by some of Lilly’s top scientists
• Laboratory and technical training and pharmaceutical science education to further your development
• Collaboration and networking across dozens of postdoctoral scientists and other researchers

Skills

We are seeking an ambitious post-doctoral scientist, with strong research and communication skills, in advancing innovative protein and peptide therapeutics. This role focuses on translating mechanistic insights at the molecular level into robust platform formulation strategies that enable the next generation of biological drug products.

Position Responsibilities

• Investigate the physical stability of various modalities under different formulation parameters such as pH, concentration, ionic strength, and more.
• Apply a range of biophysical and analytical techniques to characterize molecular interactions within formulations and assess their impact on higher-order structure, viscosity, rheology, and overall stability.
• Develop mechanistic or kinetic models linking formulation and PK/PD-relevant outcomes.
• Stay abreast of current scientific literature and critically evaluate published findings to inform and guide experimental design.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across drug substance, drug product, structural biology, analytical sciences, biophysical characterization, formulation, computational modeling, and translational pharmacology.
• Identify areas of key need across drug product development and champion creative solutions to address those needs.
• Present findings at conferences and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Prepare technical reports, research summaries, peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and invention disclosures as appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in structural biology, protein biophysics, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical development.

Learning and Development Opportunities

Develop deep expertise in protein biophysics, structural biology, formulation science, and translational pharmacology in an industrial R&D environment.

• Gain hands-on exposure to advanced characterization workflows, including solution-state, solid-state, and structural methods.
• Work with a cross-functional mentorship team spanning drug substance, drug product, structural characterization, formulation, and PK/PD interpretation.
• Build a strong publication and conference-presentation record that supports your independent research career.
• Build a strong professional network across Lilly Research Laboratories and the broader protein therapeutics community.

Basic Requirements

• Ph.D. in relevant fields such as Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• Strong foundation in protein biophysics, structural biology, biologic formulation science, or analytical characterization of peptide/protein therapeutics.
• 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. Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Hands-on experience with structural and biophysical techniques such as Bio-NMR, SAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering), neutron scattering, X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM, SEC-MALS, SLS/DLS, DSC, ITC, mass photometry, HDX-MS, HPLC/UPLC, XRPD, or related methods.
• Experience with crystallization screening, solid-state characterization, or excipient-binding analysis.
• Familiarity with PK/PD concepts, translational pharmacology, or approaches that link in vitro molecular behavior to in vivo performance.
• Self-directed and highly motivated individual who wants to learn new techniques while continually pursuing research and publication goals.
• Excellent communicator (oral and written) with presentation experience, along with a strong publication record.
• Proficiency in data analysis and scientific reporting.

Additional Information

Position Location: This role is an onsite position based at Indianapolis, IN (Lilly Technology Center-North).

This position is fixed duration employment (FDE) of 2 years, with potential to extend to 3 years, and for maximum of up to 4 years. This position is not full-time regular employment (FTE).

Opportunities to apply to FTE positions may be available upon completion of the FDE.

Travel 0-15%.

Potential exposure to chemicals, allergens, and loud noises.

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.

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