Advisor/Senior Advisor - Oligonucleotide Chemistry

About the role

Lilly Genetic Medicines (LGM) is seeking a collaborative, creative, and energetic problem solver to join a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of innovation. The successful candidate will utilize their knowledge and technical expertise to accelerate the core capabilities of large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis of internal RNAi-based clinical candidates.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development.
• Utilize comprehensive expertise in oligonucleotide synthesis methodologies to support LGM and further develop internal capabilities and team growth through effective coaching, mentorship, and leadership.
• Collaborate with members of the RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute requirements for oligonucleotide synthesis from 150umol to 6mmol scales, including communication of relevant information and results to project leads and/or cross-functional organizations within Lilly to ensure seamless operation of the scale-up team.
• Actively support efforts toward the discovery of lead drug candidates and lead at the interface with CMC and Development teams to provide essential materials for key studies and effectively communicate technical insights to the development team.
• Demonstrate expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry, striving to improve methods, develop new technologies, and address synthetic oligonucleotide challenges across a diverse portfolio.
• Oversee and prioritize the work of scale-up team members to meet critical timelines.
• Value diverse perspectives and experiences for effective solutions. Motivate team members to take initiative, own outcomes, and share expertise on complex technical challenges.
• Guide teams through unclear situations, adapt efficiently to changes, and evaluate and implement effective approaches to completing tasks.

Requirements

• PhD degree in a relevant scientific discipline with 2+ years of experience (oligonucleotide synthesis experience, solid phase synthesis) or MS degree with 5+ years of experience (oligonucleotide synthesis experience, solid phase synthesis).
• Experience in supervising a team of scientists to evaluate, refine, and execute synthetic routes, technologies, and practices to deliver LGM portfolio.
• Experience in troubleshooting and optimizing synthetic protocols on automated solid-phase synthesis instruments.
• Experience with downstream processing of oligonucleotides including use of chromatographic purification and process TFF systems.
• Ability to function within a highly interdisciplinary environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, good organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and lead a team to deliver on tight deadlines.
• Confident, execution-focused, and team-oriented with a desire to thrive in a fast-paced growing environment.
• Strong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation such as AKTA, Agilent LC-MS and UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Water’s QDA, etc.
• Experience in developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).
• Experience in conjugation of novel ligands, including small molecules, peptides, and proteins to oligonucleotides at 5-25g scale.

Qualifications

• Experience in oligonucleotide synthesis and solid phase synthesis.
• Experience in supervising a team of scientists.
• Experience in troubleshooting and optimizing synthetic protocols.
• Experience with downstream processing of oligonucleotides.
• Experience in developing new chromatographic methods.
• Experience in conjugating novel ligands to oligonucleotides.

Skills

• Expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry.
• Ability to adapt to changes and implement effective approaches.
• Effective communication and organizational skills.
• Leadership and motivational skills.

Benefits

• Company bonus (depending on company and individual performance).
• Comprehensive benefit program including:
• 401(k)
• Pension
• Vacation benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits
• Flexible benefits (healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• Life insurance and death benefits
• Time off and leave of absence benefits
• Well-being benefits (employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

Pay

The anticipated wage for this position is $126,000 - $204,600.

Schedule

Full-time equivalent employees are eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).