Postdoctoral Scientist - Neuropsychiatry

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 123,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

401(k) plan

Vacation benefits

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Lilly invites a postdoctoral scientist to join a high‑visibility program at the intersection of human iPSC biology, neuroscience, and functional genomics. You will develop iPSC-derived neuron-glia co‑culture models and apply MEA and patch‑clamp methods to study network dynamics in psychiatry research.

The role requires a PhD and strong publication record, excellent communication, and the ability to work independently while collaborating with computational biology, medicinal chemistry, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or closely related field.
• Experience with human iPSC culture and differentiation, or neuron-glia biology.
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity and independence.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and characterize human iPSC-derived tri- and quad-culture models containing excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, astrocytes, and potentially microglia to study neuron-glia interactions in psychiatry-relevant contexts.
• Apply multielectrode array (MEA) electrophysiology and automated patch-clamp to assess network dynamics and single-cell excitability in iPSC co-culture models.
• Utilize mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery for transient gene overexpression and perturbation (including CRISPR knockout/interference) in iPSC cultures.
• Investigate functional consequences of psychiatric risk gene variants on astrocyte function and neuron-astrocyte signaling.
• Perform single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-Seq from co-culture models and apply pathway analysis to identify disease-associated gene modules and hub genes.
• Integrate multi-modal datasets (electrophysiological, morphological, transcriptomic) to establish mechanistic links between genetic perturbations and neuronal network dysfunction.
• Design and execute rescue experiments using pharmacological and genetic strategies to validate therapeutic hypotheses.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including computational biology, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, and external academic partners.
• Present findings at major scientific conferences and publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals as first author.
• Maintain external awareness and learning to benefit the organization. Identify areas of key need to champion creative solutions.

Skills

Human iPSC culture

Neuronal differentiation protocols

Electrophysiology (MEA/patch-clamp)

Co-culture system development

Data integration / multi-modal分析

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or closely related field

Tools

Multielectrode array (MEA)

Automated patch-clamp (autopatcher)

CRISPR-based gene editing

LNP delivery systems

Single-cell RNA-Seq analysis

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.

Are you looking to make a significant difference by advancing our understanding of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder? If so, this might be the right role for you. We are seeking an ambitious postdoctoral scientist with strong research and communication skills to contribute to a high‑visibility research program at the intersection of human iPSC biology, neuroscience, and functional genomics.

Your work will contribute to establishing a cutting‑edge human iPSC‑derived co‑culture platform to study neuron‑astrocyte interactions in psychiatric conditions— a powerful approach to uncovering disease mechanisms and identifying novel therapeutic targets. In this role, you will:

• Develop and characterize human iPSC‑derived tri‑ and quad‑culture models containing excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, astrocytes, and potentially microglia to study neuron‑glia interactions in psychiatry‑relevant contexts.

• Apply multielectrode array (MEA) electrophysiology and automated patch‑clamp (autopatcher) to assess network dynamics and single‑cell excitability in iPSC co‑culture models.

• Utilize mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery for transient gene overexpression and perturbation (including CRISPR knockout/interference) in iPSC cultures — a novel approach in this field.

• Investigate functional consequences of psychiatric risk gene variants on astrocyte function and neuron‑astrocyte signaling.

• Perform single‑cell or single‑nucleus RNA‑Seq from co‑culture models and apply pathway analysis to identify disease‑associated gene modules and hub genes.

• Integrate multi‑modal datasets (electrophysiological, morphological, transcriptomic) to establish mechanistic links between genetic perturbations and neuronal network dysfunction.

• Design and execute rescue experiments using pharmacological and genetic strategies to validate therapeutic hypotheses.

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including computational biology, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, and external academic partners.

• Present findings at major scientific conferences (e.g., Society for Neuroscience, ACNP) and publish in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals as first author.

• Maintain external awareness and learning to benefit the organization. Identify areas of key need to champion creative solutions.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated experience with at least one of the following: human iPSC culture and directed differentiation, primary neuronal culture, electrophysiology (patch‑clamp or MEA), or neuron‑glia biology.

• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity and independence.

• 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 Information

• This position is not permanent and requires US citizenship or permanent resident status. It is for a fixed duration of two years with potential to extend to three years and for a maximum of up to four years. You will have opportunities to apply for full‑time positions after your duration is complete.

• Lilly is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Self‑directed and highly motivated individual who wants to learn new techniques while continually pursuing research and publication goals.

• Excellent communicator (oral and written) with presentation experience, along with a strong publication record.

• Interest in psychiatric disease mechanisms and translational neuroscience research.

• Experience with human iPSC culture, neural differentiation protocols, and co‑culture system development.

• Experienced with electrophysiology platforms including multielectrode array (MEA) and/or automated patch‑clamp systems.

• Experience with mRNA or lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems is a plus.

• Familiarity with CRISPR‑based gene editing tools (knockout, CRISPRi/a, base editing).

• Proficiency in high‑content imaging, immunofluorescence, and automated image analysis.

• Experience with single‑cell RNA‑Seq data acquisition, bioinformatics analysis, and pathway enrichment tools.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to integrate multi‑modal datasets.

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).

$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.