Senior/Principal Chemist - Process Chemistry Oligonucleotides (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 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.

Lilly Research Laboratories' Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) team plays a key role in the development of synthetic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), supporting the journey from preclinical stages through to the commercialization of drug substances and products. Our chemists, engineers, and scientists use their deep technical expertise to deliver innovative solutions across our portfolio, accelerating the testing of clinical hypotheses and advancing overall drug development. We believe that fostering diverse talent and cultures is essential to bringing life-changing medicines to patients.

We are seeking a creative and dynamic chemist to join our fast-paced, interdisciplinary team passionate about delivering innovative technical solutions and enabling deeper understanding of processes and products related to oligonucleotide-based medicines with the potential to cure diseases. The ideal candidate will apply their knowledge and technical expertise to enhance core capabilities and contribute to the development of oligonucleotide-based clinical candidates. If you are passionate about innovative chemistry in oligonucleotide process development and eager to make a positive impact on patients’ lives, we want you on our team!

Responsibilities:

• Synthesize and analyze highly modified oligonucleotides to drive project progress efficiently.
• Take the lead in prioritizing and implementing proactive safety practices to foster an effective laboratory culture.
• Independently troubleshoot and resolve synthetic challenges in the lab, improving existing workflows.
• Maintain a productive laboratory environment, including operating and maintaining oligonucleotide synthesizers and other scientific equipment.
• Collaborate with chemists and scientists from various disciplines in a team-oriented environment, focusing on experimental execution and achieving shared project objectives.
• Review relevant chemical and scientific literature to apply new strategies and techniques.
• Accurately document experimental procedures and communicate findings through presentations and written reports.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in chemistry or a related scientific field.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• At least 1-2 years of experience in synthetic organic and/or oligonucleotide chemistry is highly preferred.
• Experience in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis using and trouble-shooting automated solid-phase synthesizers and optimizing synthetic protocols and reaction schemas.
• Experience in the optimization of purification protocols for oligonucleotides.
• Experience with analytical and physiochemical characterization of oligonucleotides (e.g., mass spectrometry, separation techniques and other biophysical/biochemical techniques).
• Excellent record keeping and communication skills.
• Confident, execution-focused, and team oriented with a desire to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.

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