Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist, Upstream Process Development

About the Role

This role is within Bioproduct Research and Development (BR&D), a multidisciplinary organization that develops and optimizes biologically derived products. Upstream Process Development engineers develop and optimize processes for recombinant therapeutic proteins and genetic medicines, including control strategy, characterization, qualification, scale-up, and technology transfer. This is a hands-on, lab-based role supporting program progression from Research to Manufacturing. The successful candidate is self-motivated, analytical, and an effective communicator who works well across functions and with external partners (vendors/academia) to evaluate new technologies and benchmark best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to evaluate, optimize, characterize, and troubleshoot processes and equipment with minimal guidance.
• Operate suspension cell culture in shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors (e.g., Ambr250, 5 L benchtop bioreactor).
• Analyze and interpret data independently.
• Author technical reports, protocols, and regulatory-supporting documentation.
• Present clear, actionable, scientific insights to project teams and leadership.
• Support equipment qualification, scale-up/scale-down, and technology transfer of mammalian-based bioprocesses to clinical and commercial manufacturing.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and equipment to advance platform capabilities.
• Develop novel hypotheses, connect insights across fields, and propose experiments beyond the project plan.
• Build internal and external networks to leverage capabilities and accelerate progress.
• Implement automation to streamline analysis, improve visualization, and maintain data integrity.
• Occasional weekend work may be required for sampling or equipment preparation.

Requirements

• Principal Scientist: B.S. or M.S. degree in chemical engineering, biological engineering, or related discipline with 6-9 years (BS), or 4-6 years (MS) of relevant industry experience.
• Senior Scientist: B.S. or M.S. degree in chemical engineering, biological engineering, or related discipline with 4-5 years (BS), or 1-3 years (MS) of relevant industry experience.
• PhD will not be considered at this job level.
• Experience in operating cell culture in shake flasks and small-scale bioreactors.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate with operations staff and management.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• High learning agility.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and mentor junior scientists in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
• Comfort using AI tools (e.g., Claude, Copilot) for analysis and design.
• Working knowledge of molecular biology, omics, metabolic flux analysis, and PAT.
• Creativity to identify improvement opportunities and the initiative to implement them.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Experience managing external collaborations with CDMOs.

Additional Information

Position located in Indianapolis, IN (Lilly Technology Center North). 8-hour days with flexibility to support activities (Position requires on-site presence, five days per week). 0-10% travel.

The physical demands of this job are consistent with a lab environment. The work environment is in a laboratory setting.

Benefits

• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k) and pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• 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 $79,500 - $169,400.