Principal Biologist/Senior Principal Biologist, Immune Aging

About the role

Lilly is building an exploratory research effort centered on immune aging, with active programs in T cell biology, cellular reprogramming, CAR-T applications, and the immune–stromal interactions that sustain chronic inflammation. We are hiring a Principal Biologist to serve as a hands-on technical driver of this work, executing experiments on programs designed by the project lead, generating decision-grade data, and contributing recognized bench expertise in primary human immune cell biology.

Responsibilities

• Execute primary human immune cell experiments across multiple projects under the direction of the project lead, including isolation, culture, and functional characterization of T cells and other immune populations.
• Design and run multiparameter flow cytometry and complementary molecular and cellular assays to interrogate target biology, including panel design, FACS sorting, multiplex cytokine quantification, Western blot, qRT-PCR, co-culture systems, and functional readouts of T cell activity and senescence.
• Deliver decision-grade data through rigorous controls and pre-specified analysis plans; troubleshoot independently using evidence-based reasoning; and surface limitations and unexpected findings proactively.
• Communicate results clearly through written summaries, presentation-quality figures, and team scientific reviews, while maintaining disciplined experimental records.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline, with 3+ years of industry research experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of industry research experience.
• Experience with immunoassays (ELISA, MSD, HTRF), multi-color flow cytometry (staining, acquisition, and analysis in FlowJo), and protein detection methods such as Western blotting.
• Current US work authorization is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of cell and molecular biology concepts and a strong grasp of underlying assay principles.
• Hands-on experience with cell lines, whole blood, and isolation and culture of primary human immune cells.
• Demonstrated ability to operate and troubleshoot independently, with consistent, reproducible execution and strong technical communication.
• Experience with cellular and biochemical assays in 96- and 384-well formats.
• Research experience with small molecules, biologics, and/or genetic medicine modalities.
• Experience with lentiviral and retroviral systems.
• Light computational competence for flow data analysis (FlowJo) and basic data wrangling; deep computational expertise is not required.

Benefits

• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k) and pension plan.
• Vacation benefits and 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).
• Company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).

Pay

The anticipated wage for this position is $71,250 - $187,000.

Employee Resource Groups

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).