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An opportunity for an outstanding, talented, and highly motivated peptide chemistry scientist is available in the Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) division at Eli Lilly and Company!

The successful candidate will join a highly dynamic and cross-functional Department pursuing sustainable synthetic peptide development and commercialization. The candidate will lead a variety of synthetic peptide commercialization projects, interface with external collaborators, and advance sustainable, next-generation approaches to synthetic peptides at the commercialization level.

Our team is looking for an innovative and energetic peptide chemist with prior experience leading teams and with significant industry knowledge. The scientist will collaborate with and lead a growing team comprised of chemists, analysts, and engineers aimed at development of peptide synthetic routes and optimization of commercial peptide processes. Our peptide group recently commercialized Mounjaro, which is one of many exciting synthetic peptides in our portfolio. The candidate is expected to contribute at a strategic level to enable new sustainable approaches to synthetic peptides.

This position will also require the candidate to present their findings and progress to project teams and senior management across Lilly, as well as externally through journal publications and conference presentations. The candidate will work in a highly collaborative environment with key collaborators located across the United States, Asia, and Europe; therefore, a demonstrated record of collaboration and communication skills is expected.

Top candidates for this position will:

• Demonstrate excellence in multiple modes of peptide synthesis including hybrid SPPS/ LPPS peptide chemistry in use for the manufacture of Mounjaro (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.oprd.1c00108) .

• Have experience leading a team of scientists developing peptide synthesis routes.

• Enable the design, development, and implementation of sustainable, innovative processes for the synthesis of complex peptides.

• Implement green chemistry and engineering solutions as a means of improving the environmental footprint in the synthetic peptide field: Lowering Process Mass Intensity in Peptide Synthesis (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.joc.3c01494)

• Have familiarity with chromatography, mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy, and peptide automation.

• Have strong technical problem-solving ability and have an internal motivation to succeed in team environments.

• Have a proven record of innovative scientific research, as demonstrated by publication in high quality, peer reviewed journals and presentations at external conferences.

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of peptide chemists in designing sustainable synthetic peptide processes.

• Provide oversight for development of multi-kg synthetic peptide processes at contract manufacturing organizations for peptide products of similar complexity to Mounjaro.

• Educate contract manufacturing organizations in best practices for greener peptide development and manufacture.

• Engage with Eli Lilly’s Development and Manufacturing organizations to develop a deep understanding of new initiatives and improve existing scientific processes.

• Present research findings at internal forms as well as external conferences and publish in high quality, peer-reviewed journals. Strong written and verbal communication to speak to both technical and business-related implications of your work.

• Familiarity with Tag Assisted Liquid Phase Peptide Chemistry.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Chemistry or related field with minimally 7 + years of pharmaceutical industry experience.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Fluent in English

• Good interpersonal skills and a sustained tendency for collaboration.

• Ability to learn and apply technical knowledge to meet changing project needs.

• Flexibility and ability to prioritize work to meet interpersonal and scientific goals.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities especially in a team environment.

• Ability to balance multiple activities, prioritize and handle ambiguity.

Additional Information :

• Travel: 0 to 10%

• Position Location: Indianapolis, IN; Lilly Technology Center-North (LTC-N)

Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly USA, LLC and our wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively “Lilly”) are committed to help individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you require an accommodation to submit a resume for positions at Lilly, please email Lilly Human Resources ( LillyRecruitingCompliance@lists.lilly.com ) for further assistance. Please note This email address is intended for use only to request an accommodation as part of the application process. Any other correspondence will not receive a response.

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