Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Overview 

• Lilly's Early Molecule Discovery team drives small-molecule hit identification and hit-to-lead progression through structure-based, mechanism-informed, and data-driven design.  

• We are seeking a hands-on medicinal chemistry leader with direct experience advancing molecular glue programs, from hit finding through candidate selection.  

• The role requires close collaboration across pharmacology, structural biology, computational chemistry, and DMPK to translate mechanistic hypotheses into optimized molecules.  

• Success requires both deep bench-level chemistry expertise and the interpersonal and cross-functional leadership skills to guide internal and external teams. 

Responsibilities 

• Lead hit-to-lead optimization of screening hits, improving potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and ADMET. 

• Apply structure-based and data-driven design, incorporating ternary complex structural data where relevant. 

• Design and synthesize novel molecules to test mechanistic hypotheses, including cooperativity-driven SAR for molecular glue chemotypes. 

• Design and implement screening cascades tailored to molecular glue pharmacology. 

• Direct internal and external medicinal chemistry resources, including CRO relationships, to keep programs aligned with strategy and timelines. 

• Oversee high-throughput synthesis, route scouting, and scale-up to enable efficient compound delivery. 

• Maintain a strong safety culture and efficient lab operations. 

Basic Qualifications 

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or related Chemistry field with 8+ years of relevant experience in small molecule drug discovery; MS with 10+ years; or BS with 12+ years. 

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, SAR analysis, and structure- and mechanism-based molecular design. 

• Direct experience designing or optimizing molecular glue degraders, including protein–protein interface engagement, E3 ligase biology, and neosubstrate identification. 

• Demonstrated leadership as a chemistry lead on programs of any mechanism—ideally including a molecular glue program—that reached candidate selection. 

• Track record of scientific contributions through publications, patents, or external presentations. 

• Experience managing or collaborating with external chemistry teams and CROs. 

• Experience with novel modalities, such as targeted protein degradation and covalent chemistry, and biophysical techniques