Postdoc Scientist: AAV Vector Engineering & Gene Delivery

Eli Lilly and Company; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k) matching

Pension and vacation benefits

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Eli Lilly and Company in San Diego seeks a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Biotechnology Discovery Research organization for a two-year fellowship focused on receptor-mediated enhancement of AAV gene delivery through capsid engineering.

The role offers training in viral vector engineering, opportunities for high-impact publications, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in industry-based translational research.

Qualifications

• PhD required in life sciences (Molecular Biology/Cell Biology/Biochemistry/Virology or related).
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture including maintenance of adherent and suspension cell lines and standard molecular biology techniques for DNA manipulation.
• Experience with quantitative nucleic acid analysis (qPCR or digital PCR).

Responsibilities

• Design, clone, produce, and purify engineered AAV vectors with targeting modifications.
• Perform vector quality control including titering, purity assessment, and particle integrity analysis.
• Execute cell-based binding, internalization, and transduction assays using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.
• Perform mechanistic trafficking studies including endosomal escape, capsid uncoating, nuclear entry, and genome processing.
• Integrate experimental data to establish structure-activity relationships and characterize enhancement mechanisms.
• Maintain rigorous experimental documentation in electronic lab notebooks.
• Present research at scientific meetings and prepare manuscripts for publication (anticipated 1-2 first-author publications).

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Molecular biology techniques

qPCR

digital PCR

Data interpretation

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Virology, or related life sciences discipline

Tools

Confocal microscopy

Flow cytometry

Job description

Eli Lilly and Company in San Diego seeks a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Biotechnology Discovery Research organization for a two-year fellowship focused on receptor-mediated enhancement of AAV gene delivery through capsid engineering.

The role offers training in viral vector engineering, opportunities for high-impact publications, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in industry-based translational research.