Advisor – In Vitro Biology, Atherosclerosis, Lipid Biology, Inflammation and Kidney Diseases

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.

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. The Cardiovascular and Renal Research (CVR) group discovers and advances biologic, small‑molecule, nucleic‑acid and gene‑editing therapeutics for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), dyslipidemia, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Starting from an idea, we work with partners across Lilly to understand the biology underlying disease and to develop breakthrough therapies that address its root cause.

We are seeking an Advisor, In Vitro Biology, to lead assay development and target validation for our ASCVD, lipid, inflammation, and kidney disease portfolio. This is a hands on role. The successful candidate will build the biochemical and cell‑based screening assays our programs depend on. Implement them so they run reliably at the scale the project needs. Use them to validate or invalidate targets, and deliver decision‑enabling data against agreed timelines.

They will lead projects, supervise and develop associate scientists. They will partner closely with in vivo pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, biotherapeutics, genetic medicines, translational science and clinical colleagues, and they will help shape development of targets.

• Build screening assays. Design, develop and optimize cell‑based, biochemical, enzymatic and binding assays for ASCVD, lipid, inflammation, and kidney disease targets — e.g., enzyme kinetics and inhibitor characterization (IC50/Ki, mechanism of inhibition), protein–protein and ligand–receptor binding (SPR, BLI, FP, TR‑FRET, Alpha Screen, ELISA‑based), and cell‑based functional assays (lipoprotein uptake/secretion, lipid handling, hepatocyte and macrophage foam‑cell models, endothelial and vascular smooth‑muscle assays, reporter and target‑engagement assays).
• Implement assays to progress projects.
• Transfer assays from concept to routine operation: define acceptance criteria and controls, qualify reagents and cell systems, establish plate‑based workflows on automated liquid‑handling and multi‑mode detection platforms, and document methods so others can run them.
• Validate targets. Lead in‑vitro target‑validation studies using pharmacological tools, siRNA/ASO, CRISPR and over‑expression to establish target biology, mechanism of action and translatability; integrate human genetic, transcriptomic and clinical evidence to make clear recommendations.
• Lead projects. Serve as project lead for one or more discovery programs: define the scientific plan, coordinate contributions across in‑vivo, chemistry, biotherapeutics and translational partners. Reliably meet timelines. Own the work‑plan for assigned programs; set realistic milestones, track progress, anticipate and mitigate risks, elevate early when dates are at risk, and consistently deliver quality timely.
• Communicate effectively. Present data, interpretation and recommendations clearly and concisely to project teams, CVR leadership and governance committees; write well‑organized study summaries and program updates; keep partners and…