Associate Scientist - Oligo Synthesis

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

Lilly is passionate about the discovery, development, and commercialization of potential new medicines that will impact and improve the lives of patients. Lilly Genetic Medicines (LGM) is an innovation-focused organization striving to identify, develop and apply the most innovative technologies to deliver maximum benefit to our patients. Our agile and diverse team strives to operate as an autonomous ‘biotech-like’ company within the walls of Lilly.

The Lilly Genetic Medicines Team is looking for a collaborative, creative, and energetic problem solver to join a multidisciplinary team at the front edge of innovation. You will join our fast-paced, interdisciplinary team as we use novel RNA/oligonucleotide based therapeutic modalities to enhance the Lilly portfolio. The successful applicant will use their knowledge and technical expertise to accelerate the core capabilities and development of internal RNAi-based clinical candidates.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Synthesize therapeutic oligonucleotides (ASO, siRNA, and others) from 75-6000 umol scales using automated solid-phase synthesizers.

• Independently problem-solve in the laboratory setting to overcome synthetic challenges and continuously improve existing workflows.

• Collaborate with members of the LGM discovery chemistry teams to understand and validate requirements for synthesis scaleup of novel molecules

• Collaborate with our analytical team for the proper analysis and characterization of processed molecules

• Oversee and prioritize the work of scientists supporting the team

• Actively support our efforts toward the discovery and development of lead therapeutic candidates and collaborate with CMC and development teams to drive high-speed innovation towards the clinic

• Maintain laboratory equipment and manage laboratory inventory/consumables for efficient lab operations

• Support the implementation of new technologies and workflows that accelerate innovation for LGM

Basic Qualifications:

• BS/MS in Organic Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline with 2+ years of relevant industry experience.

• 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, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Strong laboratory skills and experience with oligonucleotide instrumentation including but not limited to AKTA Oligosynth, AKTA OP100, Mermade 12, AKTApure, and TFF (tangential flow filtration) systems.

• Strong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation such as Agilent LC-MS and UPLC, Orbitrap MX, etc.

• Demonstrated ability and experience with successful translation of proof-of-concept chemistry to large scale solid-phase instrumentation

• Strong hands-on experience with phosphoramidite and nucleoside chemistry, particularly in the context of oligonucleotide synthesis with an understanding of impurity profiles in these reagents and their impact on oligonucleotide quality

• Experience with analytical techniques for small molecule characterization such as HPLC, LC-MS, NMR, and UV spectroscopy.

• Ability to enhance synthesis efficiency with optimized methods, instrument awareness, high attention to detail, and ongoing team collaboration.

• Ability to troubleshoot common synthesis failures due to solubility, moisture sensitivity, or reagent degradation and implement the appropriate mitigation.

• Ability to identify and implement strategies that streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance overall efficiency.

• Confident, execution-focused teammate who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative lab environment, managing multiple concurrent syntheses and shifting priorities.

• Strong communication and organizational skills, with high attention to detail in record keeping, independent data analysis, documentation, and process control to ensure accurate, compliant reporting

• Intellectually curious, with a genuine eagerness to learn new instrumentation, techniques, and chemistries for novel platforms and modalities

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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).

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $66,000 - $171,600

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; 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; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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