Director of Biology & Biochemistry

About the role

The Protomer team at Lilly focuses on chemical biology, molecular switches, and oral macrocyclic peptide platforms. This position involves leading biology efforts, overseeing multiple projects, and supporting the chemistry team with detailed biology knowledge and assay support to accelerate projects.

Responsibilities

• Contribute as the lead biochemist and assay biologist for the team on macrocyclic discovery, contributing both insight and developing strategy for assays for various efforts in the group.
• Work on (both directionally and operationally) molecule testing efforts from lead identification to lead optimization and contribute along the way to phase 1 and beyond.
• Provide assay development expertise, and support for macrocyclic peptide discovery projects.
• Develop methodologies, protocols, and run SPR and other protein binding assays for characterization of compounds.
• Characterize complete functionality of protein reagents, provide both insight and oversight into quality and tracking of protein reagents, be able to independently lead a small team of biochemists and biologists to support a large molecule discovery group with various targets and assets at different stages of discovery.
• Work collaboratively in the group to achieve a common goal but also provide independent perspective and scientific rationale and contribute to strategy and execution.
• Take on dedicated efforts towards targets of high conviction and utilize speed and prioritization to advance assay efforts both at Protomer and wider Lilly groups and through collaboration with the rest of research organization.
• Inspire people to collaborate in inventing great medicines by removing barriers, committing to high quality scientific hypotheses, and accelerating where possible.
• Keep safety as a top priority at all times, striving toward a proactive safety culture.

Qualifications

• PhD or post-doctoral degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, biology, chemical biology or related field with significant experience in these fields and a proven track record of research success.
• Demonstrated leadership as a biologist working on important therapeutic targets with multiple different modalities including macrocycles.
• Knowledge of some of the latest developments in oral macrocyclic peptides or good understanding of peptide and protein properties and solubility characteristics and standardized permeability assays for small molecule drug compounds.
• Deep expertise in protein expression and characterization techniques, including purification, functional characterization techniques and protein biochemistry methods.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of molecular biology techniques.
• Proficient in experimental design, assay execution, troubleshooting, data analysis, and data interpretation.
• Knowledge of lab automation systems to streamline the experimental protocols and create workflows.
• Basic understanding of computational and AI/machine learning techniques used for the development and engineering of oral macrocyclic peptides.
• Understanding the whole drug discovery process including lead generation and lead optimization and will partner with cross functional groups including other areas within molecule discover, therapeutic areas, ADME, nonclinical safety assessment and PK/PD.