Scientist - Nucleic Acid Chemistry

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.

Scientist, Nucleic Acid Chemistry

We serve an extraordinary purpose. For more than 140 years, we have worked diligently 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. 

At the Lilly Innovation Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, we explore how next generation therapeutics, new technologies, data analytics and new care models can improve patient health and the healthcare system. Our Genetic Medicine team in Cambridge shares a passion for challenging conventional wisdom and creating an environment that embraces creative, break-through concepts. The Center offers a start-up environment with large company support. It is located in the heart of Massachusetts’ exploding science and technology cluster and is within walking distance of some of the best academic and industry innovators in the world. 

The successful candidate will have a strong research track record in biology and be analytically minded, systematic, and embrace data-driven decision making. The scientist will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across key Lilly therapeutic areas (e.g. neuroscience, diabetes, immunology) to perform experiments to aid development of RNA oligonucleotide drug candidates for the next generation of RNA therapies. 

Key Responsibilities include: 

• Synthesizing, purifying and quality-controlling oligonucleotide therapeutics (ASO, siRNA, saRNA ,and others) containing novel chemical modifications. Solid-phase synthesis experience with different modern oligonucleotide synthesizers is strongly preferred,
• Visualize, summarize, and present results to team members, 
• Identify and drive solutions toward innovation in the RNA Therapeutics area, 
• Demonstrate high learning agility regarding grasping and exploiting new scientific concepts and methods across multiple teams, 
• Partner with cross-functional partners to drive high-speed innovation, 
• Embrace diversity of thought, background and experience to deliver innovative solutions, 
• Possess strong communication (oral, written), organizational, and leadership skills. 

Basic Qualifications: 

• BS and/or MS in Chemistry or related field with direct experience in oligonucleotide synthesis and purification

Additional Skills/Preferences: 

• The ideal candidate will possess a solid understanding of RNA therapeutics. 
• Demonstrated track record of publication and presentation of research results. 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and team-player mindset 
• Demonstrated initiative and appropriate risk-taking 
• Demonstrated technical proficiency and ability to create ideas for future work plans 
• High level of organization and attention to detail  

Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly USA, LLC and our wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively “Lilly”) are committed to help individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you require an accommodation to submit a resume for positions at Lilly, please email Lilly Human Resources ( Lilly_Recruiting_Compliance@lists.lilly.com ) for further assistance. Please note This email address is intended for use only to request an accommodation as part of the application process. Any other correspondence will not receive a response.

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.

#WeAreLilly