Postdoctoral Scientist - Drug Delivery Experimental Fluid Dynamics

Eli Lilly and Company; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics in Boston seeks a Postdoctoral Scientist specializing in experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) within drug delivery research.

You will design in vitro aerosol characterization experiments, develop airway‑relevant benchtop and ex vivo models, and apply CFD and PBPK/PBPD analyses to relate deposition to in vivo data.

Collaboration with formulation and device teams and dissemination through publications and talks are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the last 3 years in Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, Mechanical/Chemical Engineering, Aerosol Science or related field.
• Hands-on experience with experimental fluid dynamics and aerosol characterization techniques (laser diffraction, cascade impaction).
• Strong publication record and ability to work independently and in teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro aerosol characterization experiments.
• Develop benchtop and ex vivo models considering airway anatomy and mucus properties.
• Use CFD and PBPK/PBPD models to analyze aerosol deposition and relate to in vivo data.
• Collaborate with formulation and device teams to inform design and translation.
• Communicate findings via publications and presentations.

Skills

Experimental fluid dynamics

Aerosol characterization

Tissue physiology

Publication record

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

OpenFOAM

Job description

Role

Postdoctoral Scientist specializing in experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) within drug delivery research, focusing on pulmonary and nasal inhalation therapies.

Responsibilities

• design and execute in vitro aerosol characterization experiments
• develop physiologically relevant benchtop and ex vivo models considering airway anatomy and mucus properties
• utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic/deposition (PBPK/PBPD) models to analyze aerosol deposition and predict in vivo correlations
• collaborate with formulation and device teams to inform design and translation
• communicate findings through publications and presentations

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, Aerosol Science, or related field, conferred within the last 3 years
• hands‑on experience in experimental fluid dynamics, aerosol characterization techniques (e.g., laser diffraction, cascade impaction), and tissue physiology
• strong publication record
• ability to work independently and in team environments

Preferred

• familiarity with CFD software (ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM)
• airway geometry models (Weibel, CT-derived)
• industry or academic‑industry collaboration experience

High-Value

• inhalation drug delivery
• pulmonary/nasal device testing
• physiologically representative models
• computational modeling
• physiologically based pharmacokinetics
• lung deposition modeling

Location

Boston, MA.

Duration

fixed-term 1 year, extendable to 4, with potential for full-time roles.

Travel

approximately 10%.