Advisor​/Senior Advisor Biophysical Characterization

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life‑changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first.

We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Verve Therapeutics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lilly. Verve is a biotechnology company created with a singular focus: to protect the world from heart disease. Founded by world‑leading experts in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics and gene‑editing, the company aims to develop transformative, once‑and‑done therapies for coronary heart disease. Verve’s gene‑editing medicines are designed to safely edit the genome of adults and mimic naturally occurring gene variants to permanently lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Our Analytical Development group is seeking an Advisor/Senior Advisor Biophysical Characterization to be responsible for developing and implementing new analytical methods, as well as optimizing and improving current methods for the characterization of raw materials, RNA drug substances, and LNP products and programs at various development stages. The role also includes testing non‑GMP samples to support development studies such as comparability assessments, process development, stability, product, and process characterization.

The position is part of a Technical Operations team that partners closely with Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Process Development, and Analytical Research & Development.

• Develop, optimize, and execute analytical methods intended for a variety of purposes, including release and stability testing, product characterization, high‑throughput analysis, and characterization of complex raw materials.
• Review, interpret, and present data within the analytical team and cross‑functionally.
• Provide technical oversight for troubleshooting and phase‑appropriate qualification and validation of analytical assays for the analysis of gRNA, mRNA, and LNP. Work in partnership with internal and/or external QC to coordinate analytical method transfer within the organization or at Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs)/Contract Testing Laboratories (CTLs).
• Author, review, and revise technical source documents to support phase‑appropriate comparability.
• Serve as the CMC representative on cross‑functional project teams.
• Provide technical oversight to guide analytical/QC investigations, as needed.
• Actively collaborate with internal and external process development and quality teams.
• Train and mentor junior team members.

• Hands‑on experience developing and troubleshooting analytical methods applied to complex and heterogeneous systems (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, capillary electrophoresis, cryo‑TEM, NMR, MALS, DLS, NTA, etc.).
• Previous experience developing methods for gRNA, mRNA, and LNPs.
• Excellent scientific knowledge in analytical chemistry with a conceptual understanding of solid‑phase oligonucleotide synthesis and purification strategies.
• Hands‑on experience analyzing DNA/RNA using various techniques (e.g., IP‑RP, IEX, LC‑fluor, multi‑modal LC, etc.).
• Advanced understanding of lipid nanoparticle delivery, production, and purification.
• Familiarity with applicable ICH regulations and multi‑compendial guidelines related to method validation.
• Experience in assay development, qualification, validation, and implementation to support target candidate validation from non‑GXPI to GMP environments.

• Proactive, creative, and positive attitude.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated scientific and people leadership skills.

• Travel: travel to Verve Boston site required.
• Potential exposure to chemicals, allergens, and loud noises.
• Position location:
  
  Indianapolis, IN;
  Lilly Technology Center‑North (LTC‑N).

Lilly is…