Scientific Director / Senior Director Synthetic Peptide Chemistry (SMDD) - Eli Lilly and Company

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

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

An opportunity for an outstanding, talented, and highly motivated peptide chemistry scientist is available in the Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) division @ Eli Lilly and Company! You will join a highly dynamic and cross-functional Department pursuing sustainable synthetic peptide development and commercialization. You will lead a variety of synthetic peptide commercialization projects, interface with external collaborators, and advance sustainable, next generation approaches to synthetic peptides at the commercialization level.

Our team is looking for an innovative and energetic peptide chemist with prior experience leading teams and with significant industry knowledge. In this role you will collaborate with and lead a growing team comprised of chemists, analysts, and engineers aimed at development of peptide synthetic routes and optimization of commercial peptide processes. Our peptide group recently commercialized Mounjaro, which is one of many exciting synthetic peptides in our portfolio. You will be expected to contribute at a strategic level to enable new sustainable approaches to synthetic peptides.

This position will also require you to present your findings and progress to project teams and senior management across Lilly, as well as externally through journal publications and conference presentations. You will work in a highly collaborative environment with key collaborators located across the United States, Asia, and Europe; therefore, a demonstrated record of collaboration and communication skills is expected.

Top candidates for this position will:

• Demonstrate excellence in multiple modes of peptide synthesis including hybrid SPPS/ LPPS peptide chemistry in use for the manufacture of Mounjaro.
• Have experience leading a team of scientists developing peptide synthesis routes.
• Enable the design, development, and implementation of sustainable, innovative processes for the synthesis of complex peptides.
• Implement green chemistry and engineering solutions as a means of improving the environmental footprint in the synthetic peptide field: Lowering Process Mass Intensity in Peptide Synthesis
• Have familiarity with chromatography, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, and peptide automation.
• Have strong technical problem-solving ability and have an internal motivation to succeed in team environments.
• Have a track record of innovative scientific research, as demonstrated by publication in high quality, peer reviewed journals and presentations at external conferences.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of peptide chemists in designing sustainable synthetic peptide processes.
• Provide oversight for development of multi-kg synthetic peptide processes at contract manufacturing organizations for peptide products of similar complexity to Mounjaro.
• Educate contract manufacturing organizations in best practices for greener peptide development and manufacture.
• Engage with Eli Lilly’s Development and Manufacturing organizations to develop a deep understanding of new initiatives and improve existing scientific processes.
• Present research findings at internal forms as well as external conferences and publish in high quality, peer-reviewed journals. Strong written and verbal communication to speak to both technical and business-related implications of your work.
• Familiarity with Tag Assisted Liquid Phase Peptide Chemistry.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Chemistry or related field with 7 + years of pharmaceutical industry experience or 15+ years' experience in related industries or academics.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Good interpersonal skills and a sustained tendency for collaboration.
• Ability to learn and apply technical knowledge to meet changing project needs.
• Flexibility and ability to prioritize work to meet interpersonal and scientific goals.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities especially in a team environment.
• Ability to balance multiple activities, prioritize and handle ambiguity.

Additional Information:

• Travel: 0 to 10%
• Position Location: Indianapolis, IN; Lilly Technology Center-North (LTC-N)

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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.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and help our company develop talented individuals for future leadership roles. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, African American Network, Chinese Culture Network, Early Career Professionals, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinos at Lilly, PRIDE (LGBTQ + Allies), Veterans Leadership Network, Women’s Network, Working and Living with Disabilities. Learn more about all of our groups.

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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