Advisor - Biochemistry Lead

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: 

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. For 150 years, we have worked tirelessly to discover medicines that make life better. These discoveries start in Lilly Research Laboratories, where our scientists work to create new medicines that will help solve our world's greatest health challenges. The Protomer team at Lilly focuses on chemical biology, molecular switches and oral macrocyclic peptide platforms. This position is for a biochemist with extensive background and knowledge in assay development, protein binding assays and knowledge of multiple biochemical assays and automation.

This position is for leader for biochemistry efforts for oral macrocycles within the lead optimization group but also supporting early discovery. Demonstrated track record of successfully worked on multiple macrocyclic peptide campaigns and in depth understanding of assays and biochemistry techniques in this area is required. Experience with oral macrocycles, oral permeability, and potency assays for macrocyclic peptides is required, though the role spans a broader range of work — from peptide macrocycle biology and assay development to responsive therapeutics and peptides.

This person will bring deep knowledge of drug development campaigns, with the ability to identify active compounds and troubleshoot assay design in close collaboration with the biology assay group. The successful candidate will have mastery of standard in vitro biochemical assays and deep knowledge in developing PPI assays, along with skills in protein binding techniques and demonstrated extensive work with SPR and BLI systems, as well as standard methods such as ELISA, FRET, DSF, CETSA, and general troubleshooting techniques. Close collaboration with the biology group and the protein expression group will be essential to troubleshoot reagents and assays for screening capabilities.

The Protomer team engages with disease-relevant biological systems to test a preclinical and clinical pipeline of innovative medicines, and this person will independently lead individual projects — contributing scientific rationale, planning, and execution from lead identification through lead optimization.

The ideal candidate is a significant contributor to a highly integrated, agile, and collaborative team effort, with a proven track record of leading scientific rationale, planning and execution leading to success in making medicines.

This individual will contribute biochemistry strategy and assay design perspective for the group's macrocyclic discovery efforts, and interact with cross-functional groups supporting the oral macrocycles program.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute as a lead biochemist on macrocyclic discovery efforts, providing insight and assay strategy for individual projects in the group
• Lead molecule testing efforts from lead identification to lead optimization and contribute along the way to Phase 1 and beyond
• Provide assay development expertise and support for macrocyclic peptide discovery projects
• Develop methodologies, protocols and run protein binding assays for characterization of compounds
• Characterize complete functionality of protein reagents and contribute insight and oversight into quality and tracking of protein reagents
• Learn about and enhance the platform technology efforts at Protomer to accelerate assays and biochemical workflows including automation
• Work collaboratively in the group to achieve a common goal while providing independent perspective and scientific rationale to contribute to strategy and execution
• Take on dedicated efforts towards targets of high conviction, prioritizing assay efforts both at Protomer and in collaboration with the wider Lilly research organization
• Contribute to inventing great medicines by removing barriers, committing to high-quality scientific hypotheses, and accelerating where possible
• Keep safety as a top priority at all times, striving toward a proactive safety culture
• Work effectively, responsibly and professionally with colleagues at Protomer and across Lilly

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, biology, chemical biology or related field, with postdoctoral research experience a plus, and a proven track record of research success
• At least 1 year of post doctoral experience or industry experience in biochemistry/biophysics development.
• Expertise in protein expression and characterization techniques, including purification, functional characterization techniques and protein biochemistry methods
• Knowledge of some of the latest developments in oral macrocyclic peptides or good understanding of peptide and protein properties and solubility characteristics and standardized permeability assays for small-molecule drug compounds

Additional Skills and Preferences

• Demonstrated experience as a biochemist working on important therapeutic targets with multiple different modalities including macrocycles
• Knowledge and understanding of molecular biology techniques
• Proficient in experimental design, assay execution, troubleshooting, data analysis, and data interpretation
• Knowledge of lab automation systems to streamline experimental protocols and create workflows
• Basic understanding of computational and AI/machine learning techniques used for the development and engineering of oral macrocyclic peptides is a plus
• Understanding of the drug discovery process including lead generation and lead optimization, with the ability to partner with cross-functional groups including other areas within molecule discovery, ADME, nonclinical safety assessment and PK/PD
• Open, transparent and able to communicate equally well with employees, team members and cross-functional partners
• Excellent problem-solving skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of learning agility, with the ability to work effectively within a globally matrixed organization and across functions
• Ability to think critically, identify gaps in competencies or capabilities within the organization, and take initiative to drive continuous improvement across Protomer

Additional Information:

• Some domestic and international travel is anticipated and expected
• Must be on site five days a week in Pasadena, CA

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 will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

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.

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