Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Lipid-based Particle Formulation Development

100 Eli Lilly and Company; United States; On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking an experimental postdoctoral research scientist to advance ultrasound-enhanced drug delivery using lipid-based carriers. The role involves formulating micro/nanobubbles, bioconjugation, and comprehensive characterization, with cross-functional collaboration for in-vivo validation.

The candidate will design hypothesis-driven experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings through meetings and publications, while rapidly learning new platforms and regulatory considerations.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field earned within the last 3 years.
• Expert-level lipid-based formulation, colloid science, and/or bioconjugation.
• Experience with particle characterization methods (DLS, NTA, zeta, EM).

Responsibilities

• Develop lipid-based carriers for ultrasound-enhanced delivery.
• Design experiments, analyze data, and report results.
• Collaborate with device, biology, and formulation teams for in-vivo work.
• Present work at meetings and publish manuscripts.
• Learn new delivery platforms and regulatory landscape.

Skills

Lipid formulation

Colloid science

Bioconjugation

Scientific writing

Communication

Education

PhD in a relevant field

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 mechanics.
• 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

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.

WeAreLilly At Lilly we strive to ensure our employees are part of a team that cares about them and our shared purpose of making life better for those around the world. How do we do this? We continue to look for ways to include, innovate, accelerate and deliver while maintaining integrity, excellence and respect for people. We hope that you seek to join us on our journey as we create medicine and deliver improved outcomes for patients across the globe!