Director - Synthetic Peptide Chemistry (SMDD)

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 35,000 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.

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!   The successful candidate will join a highly dynamic and cross-functional Department pursuing sustainable synthetic peptide development and commercialization. The candidate will lead a variety of synthetic peptide commercialization projects as well as perform their own independent research in the pursuit of sustainable next-generation approaches to synthetic peptides. Our team is looking for an innovative and energetic peptide chemist with prior industry or academic experience leading teams. The scientist 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. The candidate is also expected to contribute at a strategic level to enable new sustainable approaches to synthetic peptides. This position will also require the candidate to present their findings and progress to project teams and senior management across Lilly, as well as externally through journal publications and conference presentations.  The candidate 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:

• Have proficiency in multiple modes of peptide synthesis including those in use for manufacture of  Mounjaro.
• Be able to lead and have a track record of 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.
• Embrace green chemistry and engineering as a means of effecting a paradigm shift to reduce the environmental footprint in the synthetic peptide field:  Synthetic Peptide Sustainability Challenges.
• Have familiarity with chromatography, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, and peptide automation.
• Present research findings at internal forms as well as external conferences and publish in high quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Will have strong technical problem-solving ability, and have an internal motivation to succeed in team environments.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of outstanding peptide chemists 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.
• Engage with Eli Lilly’s Development and Manufacturing organizations to develop a deep understanding of new initiatives and improve existing scientific processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication to speak to both technical and business-related implications of your work.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Chemistry with minimally 5+ years of industry or 10+ years academic experience leading a group of scientists.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Fluent in English
• Experience within the pharmaceutical sector is preferred.
• 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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As a condition of employment with Eli Lilly and Company and its subsidiaries in the United States and Puerto Rico, you must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination satisfactory to the company (subject to applicable law). 

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