Post-Doctoral Scientist — Technical Services/Manufacturing Science (TS/MS)

Scorpion Therapeutics; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is offering a fixed-duration post-doctoral role in Indianapolis, focused on developing and refining peptide/biomolecule drug processes. The program emphasizes rigorous project work, scale-up planning, and deep understanding of chemistry, stability, and materials interactions.

The role requires a PhD in chemistry-related fields, US work authorization, and strong communication skills. Start date is January 1, 2027, with a two-year term that may extend up to four years.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry or closely related field.
• US work authorization full-time (visa sponsorship not available).
• Strong independent and collaborative research abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Ensure reliability of manufacturing processes and systems
• Continuously search for, develop and implement improvements
• Drive technical projects in a rigorous manner for robust implementation
• Maintain processes in compliance with US and global regulations
• Design and develop drug processes and delivery systems
• Understand chemistry and stability (including oxidation/degradation pathways) of peptides and biomolecules
• Develop laboratory-scale models to assess manufacturing changes
• Understand scientific principles for bioproduct manufacturing (drug substances/products), including interactions between molecule/solution chemistry and process equipment, containers, and/or delivery systems
• Design, conduct, and analyze statistically designed experiments to deepen process understanding and optimize processing conditions
• Understand scale-up requirements and partner with manufacturing sites for scale-up work
• Provide technical support to process development areas
• Document work appropriately
• Mentor lab associates
• Participate in technology transfer as needed
• Travel 0–10%

Skills

Organic chemistry

Biomolecule stability

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry

Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry

Ph.D. in Chemical Biology

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Ensure reliability of manufacturing processes and systems
• Continuously search for, develop and implement improvements
• Drive technical projects in a rigorous manner for robust implementation
• Maintain processes in compliance with US and global regulations
• Design and develop drug processes and delivery systems

Key Objectives/Deliverables:

• Understand chemistry and stability (including oxidation/degradation pathways) of peptides and biomolecules
• Develop laboratory-scale models to assess manufacturing changes
• Understand scientific principles for bioproduct manufacturing (drug substances/products), including interactions between molecule/solution chemistry and process equipment, containers, and/or delivery systems
• Design, conduct, and analyze statistically designed experiments to deepen process understanding and optimize processing conditions
• Understand scale-up requirements and partner with manufacturing sites for scale-up work
• Provide technical support to process development areas
• Document work appropriately
• Mentor lab associates
• Participate in technology transfer as needed
• Travel 0–10%

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or closely related field
• Authorization to work in the United States full-time (Lilly will not sponsor visas)

Desired Experience/Skills (preferred):

• Organic chemistry understanding as applied to peptide/biomolecule stability and characterization methods
• Understanding of first principles impacting absorption/desorption of materials of construction
• Demonstrated scientific achievement and problem solving; ability to work independently and in teams
• Strong written and oral communication

Additional:

• Fixed-duration post-doctoral role: 2 years (may extend up to 4 years)
• Start date: January 1, 2027