Advisor/Sr. Advisor - Bioconjugation Scientist

About the role

Lilly recently announced a $4.5 billion investment to create the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a new center for advanced manufacturing and drug development in Lebanon, Indiana. The first-ever facility of its kind, combining research and manufacturing in a single location, the Medicine Foundry will allow Lilly to further develop innovative solutions to optimize manufacturing processes and increase capacity for clinical trial medicines, while also reducing costs and environmental impact.

The Process Translation and Execution (PTE) team translates API/DS process knowledge into clinical supply readiness, oversees technology transfer, implements phase-appropriate control strategies, and ensures right-first-time clinical manufacturing for a variety of modalities, including synthetic molecules, biologics, peptides, oligonucleotide, and bioconjugates (ADC, ARC, etc.). Through cross-functional collaboration, PTE influences process design, revolutionizes clinical manufacturing, builds capabilities in emerging technologies, and aligns with corporate and Lilly Research Labs (LRL) goals.

In the Foundry Construction and Project Delivery/Startup Phase (2025 to 2028), roles will be fluid and dynamic as we build a new organization, design and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to enable operational readiness, support the project delivery, and build the site culture. Success will require significant collaboration, creativity, and resilience as the Lilly Medicine Foundry transitions from design to startup and ultimately to steady-state operations and continuous improvement. This period presents a unique opportunity for learning, growth, and making a lasting impact.

Initial location at Lilly Technology Center, Indianapolis. Permanent location at the new Lilly Medicines Foundry in Lebanon, Indiana. Limited domestic and international travel (< 5%) may be required for this role. Role requires ability to work in manufacturing and laboratory environments.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the transfer of chemical processes for bioconjugation to produce ADCs and similar modalities, from development laboratories to pilot plant operations (including kilo-scale and production environments), operating independently and guiding more junior scientists.
• Perform bioconjugation chemistry, including antibody preparation, buffer exchanges, and protein-specific characterization (DAR analysis, aggregate assessment).
• Apply hands-on experience across multiple conjugation strategies (maleimide, click, enzymatic).
• Work with highly potent molecules and containment in lab and production environments, as well as single-use bioprocessing systems.
• Mentor less experienced scientists and ultimately supervise colleagues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, analytical chemists, chemical technicians, safety, and quality representatives.
• Evaluate the safety of incoming procedures from early-phase process research and development labs in collaboration with the safety group and process engineering.
• Ensure raw material and reagent readiness, obtain reference materials, and participate in setting up analytical methods.
• Reprocess and analyze analytical data to make fact-based decisions.
• Summarize and present chemistry and challenges effectively.
• Perform familiarization reactions to ensure plant readiness of process steps, including reduction/conjugation/oxidation reactions and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) operations at the Lilly Medicine Foundry.
• Perform use-tests of key raw materials and document Definitive Lab Trials of processes to confirm plant readiness.
• Maintain a well-organized and detailed lab notebook with accurate descriptions of chemistry, observations, and organized analytical data to enable technical transfers.
• Author and review technical documents, including tech transfer plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), batch records, campaign summary reports, and deviation reports.
• Apply scientific knowledge to identify areas for improvement and implement new technologies or procedures.
• Contribute to process troubleshooting and investigations by supporting process deviations, quality events, and non-conformances.
• Collaborate with teams to perform root cause analysis (RCA) and develop effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. with 6+ years of experience or PhD with 2+ years of experience in manufacturing environments involving biochemistry, chemical biology, conjugation chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.

Skills

• Working knowledge of organic chemistry and mechanisms and their application to reaction improvement and optimization.
• Hands-on experience with analytical methods used for small molecules and biomolecules (RP-HPLC, SEC, IEX, HIC, LC-MS, CE-SDS).
• Hands-on experience with liquid chromatography for bioconjugate purification and familiarity with chromatography systems.
• Experience with synthetic chemistry techniques used for developing and scaling-up chemical reactions; process chemistry concepts are a plus.
• Comfortable working with larger-sized glass equipment as well as single-use equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead a technology transfer end-to-end, from development lab to clinical manufacturing.
• Experience creating batch records and conducting scale-up experiments according to those records.
• Ability to prioritize multiple activities and manage ambiguity.
• Process quantification and acquiring mass balance for products and by-products.
• Demonstrated ability to drive projects and accept change.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical report writing, presentations, and effective collaboration across teams.
• Proven ability to analyze data, perform root cause analysis, and resolve complex technical challenges.

Benefits

• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k) and pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts).
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• Certain time off and leave of absence benefits.
• Well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).

Pay

The anticipated wage for this position is $129,000 - $209,000. Full-time equivalent employees are also eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).