Postdoctoral Fellow - AI​/ML Upstream Cell Culture Modeling & Process Development

Position Summary

Upstream Process Development group within our  &D organization seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a team focused on developing and optimizing mammalian cell culture processes for recombinant proteins and other modalities for early- and late-phase clinical trials. The Fellow will build mechanistic and data‑driven models, incorporate genome‑scale and hybrid metabolic models, and apply machine learning to guide feeding strategies, medium composition, and clone selection.

The role bridges computational modeling with hands‑on bioprocess experimentation to establish a model‑guided approach that reduces empirical screening.

• Develop and calibrate mechanistic and hybrid metabolic models of mammalian cell culture processes to predict cellular behavior and identify performance‑limiting factors.
• Build computational pipelines that transform routine bioprocess data into model inputs and produce predicted metabolic flux distributions across the culture cycle.
• Apply machine‑learning and data‑driven methods for performance prediction and integrate model‑derived features with experimental data.
• Use calibrated models to evaluate feeding strategies and medium compositions to enhance productivity.
• Design and execute cell culture experiments—from shake flask to bench‑scale bioreactors—to generate datasets for model development, training, and validation.
• Collaborate with the Analytical team to develop multi‑omics methods for metabolic model calibration.
• Integrate model‑derived features into machine‑learning workflows to support earlier decisions, including predictive clone selection from early‑stage process data.
• Investigate AI‑assisted approaches to accelerate model building, validation, and reuse across projects, with human‑in‑the‑loop decision support.
• Maintain rigorous documentation and communicate results through technical reports, presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications.

• PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Metabolic Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong foundation in mathematical modeling, reaction kinetics, and mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with constraint‑based or genome‑scale metabolic modeling.
• Hands‑on experience designing and executing cell culture experiments, including Batch, Fed‑batch, and Intensified Processes.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific programming languages.
• Qualified to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Lilly does not provide visa or work‑authorization support for this role.

• Familiarity with process control concepts, including model predictive control or dynamic optimization.
• Understanding of mammalian (e.g., CHO) cell physiology and metabolism relevant to bioprocessing.
• Experience with analytical methods such as HPLC, UPLC, and mass spectrometry.
• Experience integrating omics data with mechanistic or hybrid models.
• Demonstrated expertise in machine‑learning and data‑driven modeling.

This position is part of Lilly’s Postdoctoral Scientific Training Program, providing a two‑year fixed‑term fellowship with potential extension to a maximum of four years. Fellows have opportunities to apply for full‑time positions upon completion. The program includes mentorship from leading scientists, training workshops, and collaboration across a broad network of postdocs and researchers.

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.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume, please request via the Lilly accommodation request form.

Salary range: $58,000 – $123,200 Full‑time equivalent. Eligible for company‑sponsored 401(k), pension, vacation, medical, dental, vision, prescription drug benefits, flexible benefits, disability and death benefits, and well‑being benefits. Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs at its discretion.