Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 79,500 - 169,400; Full time

Job summary

Lilly in Indianapolis, IN is seeking a Bioproduct Process Development scientist to design and optimize upstream bioprocesses for recombinant proteins. This lab‑based role supports progression from Research to Manufacturing through bench‑scale experiments, data interpretation, and regulatory‑support documentation.

You will collaborate across functions and with external partners to adopt new technologies, mentor junior scientists, and help transfer processes to manufacturing while exploring

Qualifications

• Experience operating cell culture in shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with cross-functional partners.
• Ability to work independently and mentor junior scientists.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to evaluate and optimize bioprocesses.
• Operate suspension cell culture in shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors.
• Analyze data and present actionable scientific insights to teams.
• Author technical reports, protocols, and regulatory‑supporting docs.
• Support equipment qualification, scale‑up/scale‑down and tech transfer.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to advance platform capabilities.
• Develop hypotheses and collaborate across functions for program progression.
• Build networks with external partners to accelerate progress.
• Implement automation to improve analysis and data integrity.

Skills

Communication

Problem solving

Learning agility

Mentor junior scientists

AI tools usage

Education

Bachelor's in chemical/biological engineering

Master's in chemical/biological engineering

Tools

AI tools (Claude, Copilot)

Job description

Overview

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Position Summary

This role is within Bioproduct Research and Development (BR&D), a multidisciplinary organization that develops and optimizes biologically derived products. Upstream Process Development engineers develop and optimize processes for recombinant therapeutic proteins and genetic medicines, including control strategy, characterization, qualification, scale‑up, and technology transfer.

This is a hands‑on, lab-based role supporting program progression from Research to Manufacturing. The successful candidate is self‑motivated, analytical, and an effective communicator who works well across functions and with external partners (vendors/academia) to evaluate new technologies and benchmark best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to evaluate, optimize, characterize, and troubleshoot processes and equipment with minimal guidance.
• Operate suspension cell culture in shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors (e.g., Ambr250, 5 L benchtop bioreactor).
• Analyze and interpret data independently.
• Author technical reports, protocols, and regulatory‑supporting documentation.
• Present clear, actionable, scientific insights to project teams and leadership.
• Support equipment qualification, scale‑up/scale‑down, and technology transfer of mammalian‑based bioprocesses to clinical and commercial manufacturing.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and equipment to advance platform capabilities.
• Develop novel hypotheses, connect insights across fields, and propose experiments beyond the project plan.
• Build internal and external networks to leverage capabilities and accelerate progress.
• Implement automation to streamline analysis, improve visualization, and maintain data integrity.
• Occasional weekend work may be required for sampling or equipment preparation.

Basic Requirements

• Principal Scientist: B.S. or M.S. degree in chemical engineering, biological engineering, or related discipline with 6‑9 years (BS) or 4‑6 years (MS) of relevant industry experience.
• Senior Scientist: B.S. or M.S. degree in chemical engineering, biological engineering, or related discipline with 4‑5 years (BS) or 1‑3 years (MS) of relevant industry experience.
• PhD will not be considered at this job level.
• Experience in operating cell culture in shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors.
• 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.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate with operations staff and management.
• Strong problem‑solving skills.
• High learning agility.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Ability to work independently and mentor junior scientists in a collaborative, cross‑functional environment.
• Comfort using AI tools (e.g., Claude, Copilot) for analysis and design.
• Working knowledge of molecular biology, omics, metabolic flux analysis, and PAT.
• Creativity to identify improvement opportunities and the initiative to implement them.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
• Experience managing external collaborations with CDMOs.

Physical Demands / Travel

Position located in Indianapolis, IN (Lilly Technology Center North).

8‑hour days with flexibility to support activities. Position requires on‑site presence, five days per week.

0‑10% travel.

Work Environment

This position’s work environment is in a laboratory environment.

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.

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 $79,500 – $169,400. 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.