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Postdoctoral Scientist – Discovery Oncology

Eli Lilly and Company
San Francisco, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 15 Aug 2025
💰 $100,320/yr($58,000/yr$100,320/yr)

About the role

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.

Overview:

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, and more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support 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.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious post-doctoral scientist to join our research team within Discovery Oncology. Under the guidance of experienced researchers, the selected candidate will employ advanced genetic and experimental methodologies to design and conduct both in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at validating oncology targets. The post-doctoral scientist will spearhead projects focused on deepening our understanding of specific cellular states within tumor microenvironments, including the interactions between tumor-stromal and tumor-immune components.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with various teams possessing extensive expertise across scientific disciplines, including discovery biology, translational medicine, and computational biology. The applicant will also benefit from access to our state-of-the-art research institute, equipped with advanced biomedical technologies. Scientific insights derived from this research are expected to be published in high-impact journals and will present opportunities for significant application in inter-/intra-departmental project development.

Responsibilities:

In this role, you will

  • Conduct experimental studies to elucidate the mechanisms of oncology targets using both in vitro and in vivo tools.
  • Investigate the downstream signaling pathways through biochemical and cellular assays, and analyze tissue microenvironment to uncover host-tumor interactions.
  • Develop strategies for managing animal colonies relevant to the project and design/conduct in vivo studies.
  • Lead the experimental direction of projects in collaboration with wet- and dry-lab colleagues to advance project goals.
  • Disseminate research findings through internal presentations, national and international conferences, and high-quality peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Basic Requirements:

  • Ph.D. in biology, cancer, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences or related discipline (The degree must be conferred by the commencement date).
  • Ability to identify and exploit new scientific concepts, employ strong problem-solving skills, and be self-motivated and adaptable.
  • Solid knowledge and practical experience in both cell cultures and animal models.
  • Experience with animal models such as genetically engineered, xenograft, or allograft systems.
  • Excellent communication skills and collaborative and collegial mindset.

Additional Preferences:

Candidates who possess the following skills could be well-suited for this role:

  • Exhibit technical rigor, curiosity, and creativity in both in vitro and in vivo biology.
  • Demonstrate experience in the design and application of CRISPR, viral vectors, and other genetic tools for innovative target discovery in cellular or animal models.
  • Design and execute cellular, tissue and molecular assessments for tumor cell death, drug-resistance, and host-tumor interactions.
  • Possess a solid knowledge of tumor or stem cell biology, including autocrine/paracrine signaling pathways and cell-cell interactions within the tissue microenvironment.

Additional Information:

  • The appointed candidate will be primarily based in South San Francisco, California.
  • This position is part of Lilly’s post-doctoral training program, which provides an exceptional environment and the opportunity for professional growth through learning, collaboration, networking, and mentorship from Lilly’s leading scientists, aimed at facilitating groundbreaking discoveries.
  • This position is not permanent. It is for a fixed duration of two years w

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Company

Eli Lilly and Company

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