Postdoctoral Researcher in Translational Oncology

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,200; Full time

Job summary

Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, IN, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher in Translational Oncology to advance novel cancer therapeutics. The role focuses on cancer cell biology, drug mechanism of action, and tumor immunology, working with discovery biologists and clinical colleagues

Responsibilities include mechanistic studies, resistance biology, biomarker discovery, and rational combination strategies using in vitro and in vivo systems. On‑site, fixed‑term up to 2 years.

Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, or closely related field completed by September 2026.
• Authorized to work in the United States full‑time; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas.
• Strong publication record and collaboration skills with cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Characterize mechanism of action of novel drug modalities using advanced proteomics and interactome mapping.
• Investigate cellular quality control and stress response pathways in relation to compound activity.
• Create resistant cell line models using CRISPR and drug selection strategies.
• Perform multi‑omic profiling and integrate datasets to identify predictive biomarkers.
• Evaluate immunomodulatory effects in tumor and immune compartments using multi‑color flow and sequencing.
• Design in vivo combination studies and prepare scientific reports and presentations.

Skills

Cancer biology

Drug mechanism of action

Tumor immunology

Proteomics

Genomics

Education

PhD in cancer biology or related discipline

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

Flow cytometry

RNA-seq

In vivo tumor models

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.

The Oncology Therapeutic Area of Eli Lilly and Company focuses on the discovery and development of small molecule and biologic therapeutics for patients with cancer. The Translational Sciences group within Lilly Oncology is responsible for bridging mechanistic discovery and clinical development, driving biomarker strategy, combination rationale, resistance biology and discovering novel indications across the oncology portfolio. The successful candidate will contribute to the characterization of novel small molecules in B‑cell malignancies, working across in vitro and in vivo experimental systems and integrating findings with large‑scale molecular datasets to inform clinical development.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Translational Oncology with expertise in cancer cell biology, drug mechanism of action characterization, and tumor immunology to advance our understanding of novel oncology therapeutics in hematologic malignancies. This role will involve mechanistic characterization of innovative compounds, resistance biology, biomarker discovery, and evaluation of rational combination strategies. You will operate as part of the Translational Sciences team and partner with discovery biologists, in vivo pharmacologists, bioinformaticians, and clinical development colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Characterize the mechanism of action of novel drug modalities using advanced proteomic approaches, including proximity labeling and co‑immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry, to map interactomes and evaluate downstream cellular responses.
• Investigate the role of cellular quality control pathways (unfolded protein response, heat shock response, autophagy) in response to compound activity using pharmacological and genetic perturbation approaches.
• Generate and characterize resistant cell line models using chronic dose escalation and genome‑wide CRISPR‑Cas9 knockout and activation screens to define genetic drivers of resistance and sensitization.
• In collaboration with Discovery Bioinformatics, conduct multi‑omic profiling of sensitive and resistant models, integrating whole‑genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and phospho‑proteomics to identify predictive biomarkers of response. Analyze large‑scale cell line and patient‑derived xenograft datasets, linking baseline molecular features to compound activity for biomarkers and mechanism of action hypothesis generation.
• Evaluate immunomodulatory effects of compounds in tumor and immune cell compartments using multi‑color flow cytometry, RNA‑seq, and spatial transcriptomics in humanized mouse models and ex‑vivo co‑cultures.
• Design and execute in vivo combination studies to establish preclinical rationale for clinical combination strategies.
• Prepare scientific reports, presentations, and publications detailing research outcomes.
• Benchmark experimental findings against established platforms to contextualize the novel modality within the broader field.

Qualifications & Requirements

• PhD in cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, or a closely related discipline. All requirements must be completed by September 2026.
• 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 Skills/Preferences

Preference will be given to exceptional candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas

• Hands‑on experience in oncology cell culture, in vitro pharmacology assays, and genetic modification techniques (transduction/transfection).
• Familiarity with targeted protein degradation platforms, including molecular glues, Ligand‑Directed Degraders (LDDs), or related modalities.
• Familiarity with multi‑color full‑spectrum flow cytometry and immunophenotyping.
• Experience with in vivo oncology pharmacology, including CDX/PDX tumor models and humanized mouse systems.
• Exposure to bispecific antibody or T cell engager research.
• Experience with multi‑omics data types including proteomics, transcriptomics, and/or whole‑genome sequencing.
• Prior experience in lymphoma, hematologic malignancies, or B cell biology; exceptional candidates from adjacent oncology disciplines will also be considered.
• Strong publication record demonstrating mechanistic rigor and translational relevance.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in cross‑functional teams.

Additional Information

• This is an on‑site position based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• This position is not permanent. It is a fixed‑term position up to 2 years with a possible 2‑year extension.

This is an exciting opportunity to advance precision oncology and therapeutic development through cutting‑edge cancer biology and tumor immunology. If you are passionate about mechanistic discovery with direct clinical relevance, we encourage you to apply!

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 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.

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.