Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Lipid-based Particle Formulation Development

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an experimental postdoctoral research scientist to join the Drug Delivery group in Indianapolis, IN. This hands-on role focuses on formulating micro/nanobubbles, developing bioconjugation chemistries, and characterizing lead formulations for ultrasound-mediated delivery.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams on in‑vivo studies; present findings and publications. 75–90% lab work with 0–10% travel. Based in Indianapolis, IN.

Qualifications

• PhD earned within the last 3 years in a related field.
• Expert-level hands-on skills in lipid-based formulation science, colloid/interface science, and/or bioconjugation.
• Experience with characterization of particulate delivery systems (DLS, NTA, zeta potential, SLS, EM).
• Strong scientific writing and publication record.

Responsibilities

• Formulate micro/nanobubbles for ultrasound-enhanced delivery of therapeutics.
• Develop bioconjugation chemistries for targeted modalities when applicable.
• Execute in-depth characterization studies on lead formulations.
• Collaborate with device, formulation, and biology teams for in‑vivo studies.
• Present work at meetings and conferences; prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Learn new formulation and delivery platforms and understand regulatory landscape.

Skills

Lipid-based formulation science

Colloid/interface science

Bioconjugation

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry (recent)

Tools

DLS

Nanoparticle tracking

Zeta potential

SLS

Electron microscopy

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.

Organization Overview

The Drug Delivery group at Lilly studies physiological barriers across routes of administration to create novel, patient‑centric delivery solutions, serving as a center of excellence in injection physiology, device ideation, novel drug delivery technologies across modalities and routes of administration, nanomedicine and targeted delivery, and connected devices/digital biomarkers.

Within this group, the team is developing a next‑generation, ultrasound‑enhanced delivery platforms that uses micro/nanobubbles to enhance delivery of therapeutics, including antibodies and peptides intended to overcome the tissue‑transport barriers that limit tissue distribution of therapeutics as well as theranostic agents.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experimental postdoctoral research scientist to join this effort. This is a hands‑on laboratory role: you will formulate micro/nanobubbles, develop bioconjugation chemistries for targeted modalities when applicable, execute in‑depth characterization studies on the lead formulations, and collaborate with the extended team on downstream ultrasound‑mediated delivery experiments.

Responsibilities

• Leverage a strong background in formulation science, colloid/interface chemistry, and bioconjugation to discover and develop lipid‑based carriers for ultrasound‑enhanced delivery of therapeutics.
• Apply resourceful and creative thinking to develop novel bubble formulations, bioconjugation, and characterization strategies that address tissue‑transport barriers.
• Show self‑initiative to conduct independent hypothesis‑driven research, design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret data, and solve problems individually.
• Work effectively within a cross‑functional team environment, partnering with device, formulation, and biology colleagues and other groups to support in‑vivo studies.
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills; present work at group meetings and external conferences and prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Show learning agility and discipline to rapidly learn new formulation and delivery platforms and gain a fundamental understanding of the project requirements and regulatory/competitive landscape.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or a similar discipline, earned within the last 3 years.
• Expert‑level, hands‑on skills in lipid‑based formulation science, colloid/interface science, and/or bioconjugation — theory and application.
• Experience in the characterization of particulate delivery systems (e.g. DLS, nanoparticle tracking, zeta potential, SLS, electron microscopy, etc.)
• Good organizational skills to enable success in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to balance multiple activities, prioritize, and manage uncertainty and risk.
• A strong desire to learn emerging technologies and new scientific concepts to support multi‑disciplinary research.
• Good interpersonal skills and a persistent tendency for collaboration.
• Demonstrated proficiency in scientific writing and publication in peer‑reviewed journals along with scientific presentation skills.
• 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

• Experience conjugating antibodies or peptides (e.g., click chemistry, maleimide–thiol, lipid–PEG coupling) and quantifying loading and bioactivity.
• Fundamental understanding of drug delivery routes and mechanisms.
• Experience with focused ultrasound or other acoustically/externally responsive delivery systems is a plus.
• Experience with in vitro/in vivo delivery assessment is a plus.

Other Information

• Position Location: Indianapolis, IN
• Hands‑on in‑Lab Requirement: 75-90%
• Travel Percentage (%): 0-10

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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