Medicinal Chemist; R5 – R7

Position Summary

Eli Lilly and Company seeks a Medicinal Chemist (R5-R7) to formulate hypotheses, design and synthesize novel small molecules, optimize lead compounds to improve potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties and ADMET, and meet target product profiles required to invent high‑quality medicines. This role collaborates with external CRO chemistry resources to implement design ideas, optimize chemistry productivity, direct fast‑paced SAR iterations through proposal and execution of synthetic routines, maintain a strong safety culture, and partner cross‑functionally to address specific program needs and provide Medicinal Chemistry perspectives.

• Formulate hypotheses and design and synthesize novel small molecules.
• Optimize lead compounds to improve potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and ADMET.
• Collaborate with external CRO chemistry resources to implement design ideas and optimize chemistry productivity.
• Direct fast‑paced SAR iterations through proposal and execution of synthetic routines.
• Maintain a strong safety culture.
• Partner cross‑functionally to address specific program needs, increase overall organization, and provide Medicinal Chemistry perspectives.

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related chemistry discipline, and 4 years of academic or employment experience with synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
• Alternatively, PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related chemistry discipline, and 1 year of academic or employment experience with synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
• Academic or employment experience must include a minimum of 1 year supporting drug discovery at the molecular design stage, 1 year improving in vitro and in vivo potency, selectivity, and ADMET properties, and 1 year with new modalities including targeted protein degradations, siRNA, ADCs, and oral peptides.

Job location:

Indianapolis, IN. Up to 10% domestic and/or international travel required.

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.

Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company‑sponsored 401(k), pension, vacation benefits, medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits, flexible benefits such as healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, death benefits, time off and leave of absence benefits, and well‑being benefits such as employee assistance programs, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.