Post-Doctoral Scientist – Delivery, Devices & Connected Solutions (DDCS) Inhaled Drug Formulation

About the role

The role is located within the Delivery, Devices & Connected Solutions (DDCS) group at Eli Lilly and Company. The successful candidate will contribute to highly visible research projects, working at the intersection of pulmonary and nasal delivery through computational model development.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro aerosol characterization experiments using pulmonary and nasal device platforms, including droplet size distribution (laser diffraction, cascade impaction), delivered dose, and delivery efficiency assessments.
• Develop, validate, and apply computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or physiologically based pharmacokinetic/deposition (PBPK/PBPD) models to predict regional aerosol deposition across patient-representative airway geometries.
• Integrate experimental aerosol data with in-silico deposition predictions to support formulation optimization and design space definition.
• Develop and validate IVIVC frameworks linking in vitro aerosol metrics (MMAD, FPF, delivered dose) to predicted in vivo regional deposition and, where feasible, to pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic endpoints.
• Apply uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis to computational models to characterize inter-subject and inter-effort variability in predicted deposition outcomes.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists, device engineers, and translational scientists to interpret results and generate actionable insights.
• Communicate findings through internal technical reports, cross-functional presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Participate in structured mentorship and professional development programming within Lilly’s postdoctoral research community.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerosol Science, or a closely related field, conferred within the past three years.
• Hands-on experience with pulmonary and /or nasal device characterization techniques (e.g., next-generation impactor [NGI], laser diffraction, DUSA) and/or experimental fluid dynamics.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computational modeling of aerosol transport and/or deposition (e.g., CFD using ANSYS Fluent/OpenFOAM, or lung deposition models such as MPPD).
• Strong publication record commensurate with career stage.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrix-based environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Skills

• Self-directed and highly motivated individual who wants to learn new techniques while continually pursuing research and publication goals.
• Excellent communicator (oral and written) with presentation experience, along with a strong publication record.
• Proficient in data analysis and reporting.

Benefits

• This is a fixed-term role for one year, extendable up to four years, with eligibility to apply for full-time positions upon completion.

Pay

• The anticipated wage for this position is $58,000 - $123,200.

Schedule

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