Scientific Director, Process Chemistry - Oligonucleotides

Overview

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

The Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) organization is responsible for the development of synthetic drug substances and drug products from the pre‑clinical phase through commercialization. Our scientists and engineers develop innovative technical solutions to advance an existing portfolio that includes small molecules, synthetic peptides, oligonucleotides, and other emerging therapeutic modalities to help bring the next generation of life‑changing medicines to patients.

Our SMDD team is looking for experienced and creative candidates with experience in chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) of oligonucleotides to participate in the development of chemistry in support of scalable and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. This technical role will support emerging synthetic needs across the rapidly evolving Lilly Genetic Medicines (LGM) portfolio. The scientist will collaborate with a growing team comprising chemists, analysts, and engineers focused on the development and optimization of existing methods and exploration of novel synthetic approaches to oligonucleotides and their conjugates.

The position presents an opportunity to lead CMC activities to support clinical trials, product commercialization, and regulatory submissions of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Developing and working with both internal manufacturing (Lilly Medicine Foundry) and external contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to support oligonucleotide synthesis, tech transfer, and campaign execution will be important aspects of this role.

• Bring extensive oligonucleotide CMC expertise to SMDD and grow internal capability through coaching, mentorship, and technical leadership across a diverse portfolio — complex single strands, siRNA, and oligonucleotide conjugates (AOC and PRC).
• Apply modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry to challenge existing methods, define new manufacturing technologies, and address key CMC challenges across the LGM portfolio.
• Develop and apply impurity control strategies aligned with the current global regulatory climate; address CMC regulatory questions enabling clinical studies and marketing authorization applications. Prior experience in validation activities preferred.
• Provide technical leadership across route design, process development, equipment selection, and scale‑up — from laboratory plans through demonstration on development- and commercial‑scale equipment, partnering with internal manufacturing (Lilly Medicine Foundry) and external CMOs to deliver robust processes for clinical and commercial supply.
• Demonstrate strong skills with automated reactor platforms and purification technologies and apply them across the oligonucleotide portfolio.
• Collaborate across internal CMC networks (Drug Product Delivery, Project Management, Quality, Manufacturing, and Regulatory) to deliver materials and documentation for clinical trials and regulatory submissions.
• Identify and integrate external chemistry innovations to complement internal capabilities; represent Lilly externally through presentations at symposia and consortia and publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Contribute novel chemical design and mechanism‑based problem solving (e.g., total synthesis, methodology development, oligonucleotide synthesis), reflected in a strong peer‑reviewed publication record.
• Lead through ambiguity and change; encourage initiative, accountability, and diverse perspectives across the team.

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with 5+ years of relevant industry experience (synthesis, oligonucleotides, solid‑phase synthesis, CMC); or
• MS in a relevant scientific discipline with 8+ years of relevant industry experience (synthesis,…