Director/Sr. Director - In Vitro Biology, ASCVD and Lipid Biology

Eli Lilly · Indianapolis · $153,000–$264,000 (stated in the posting)

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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. 

Location: Indianapolis, IN (Onsite)

About the Team

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, biologic, and gene-editing therapeutics for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and chronic kidney disease. We work with partners across Lilly to understand the biology underlying disease and to develop breakthrough therapies that address its root cause.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced lab head to lead an In Vitro Biology laboratory supporting our ASCVD and Kidney Health portfolio. The successful candidate will have previously led a laboratory, managed and mentored direct reports, and advanced multiple assets from target validation through clinical candidate selection. In this role, they will set the in vitro strategy for multiple programs, lead a team of scientists to build the biochemical and cell-based assays, implement them so they run reliably at the scale each project needs, and use them to validate targets and select clinical development candidates against rigorous timelines. They will partner closely with in vivo pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, biotherapeutics, genetic medicines, translational science and clinical colleagues to influence portfolio decisions across CVR. , They will evaluate external innovation opportunities to bolster the portfolio of projects

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the laboratory. Lead and manage an in vitro biology laboratory . Set scientific direction and priorities, allocate scientists and resources across programs, and ensure data quality, compliance and lab safety.
• Drive therapeutic development to clinical candidate selection. Design the in vitro biology strategy for multiple discovery programs from target validation through lead optimization and candidate selection; define screening cascades, go/no-go criteria and candidate-profile requirements; make clear, data-driven recommendations to advance or stop projects.
• Build screening assays. Direct the design, development and optimization of cell-based, biochemical, enzymatic and binding assays for ASCVD and Kidney Health targets, and remain hands-on where expertise is needed. Example assay types include enzyme kinetics and inhibitor characterization (IC50/Ki, mechanism of inhibition), protein–protein and ligand–receptor binding (SPR, BLI, FP, TR-FRET, AlphaScreen, 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). Oversee molecular and biochemical readouts on cell and tissue samples (qPCR/ddPCR, western blot, ELISA/MSD, lipid quantitation, flow cytometry, high-content imaging) and ensure rigorous data analysis and interpretation.
• Implement assays to progress projects. Ensure assays move 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. Use appropriate AI tools to accelerate data analysis and quality assurance.
• Validate targets for ASCVD event reduction. Lead in vitro target-validation strategy using pharmacological tools, siRNA/ASO, CRISPR and over-expression to establish target biology, mechanism of action and translatability; collaborate iwth Data Sciences colleagues to integrate human genetic (e.g., GWAS, Mendelian randomization), transcriptomic, biomarker and clinical-outcome evidence.
• Lead projects. Serve as biology and/or project leader for multiple discovery programs across modalities: define the scientific plan, coordinate contributions across in vivo pharmacology, chemistry, biotherapeutics, genetic medicines, clinical and translational partners to drive programs to decisions.
• Reliably meet timelines. Own the workplan for the lab’s portfolio of programs; set realistic milestones, track progress, anticipate and mitigate risks, escalate early when dates are at risk, and consistently deliver high-quality work on time.
• Communicate and influence. Present data, interpretation and recommendations clearly and concisely to project teams, CVR leadership and governance committees, including target-validation and candidate-selection reviews; write well-organized program updates, study summaries and regulatory study reports; keep partners and management informed.
• Develop people. Directly manage and develop scientists: set goals and expectations, conduct performance management, give regular coaching and feedback, build career-development plans, recruit and retain talent, and create opportunities for team members to grow.
• Shape strategy and external innovation. Contribute to CVR target strategy and portfolio prioritization; identify and evaluate external innovation opportunities that address scientific or capability needs. Represent Lilly in the external scientific community.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D., Masters or Bachelors in cell biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, vascular biology, lipid metabolism or a science related discipline
• If Ph.D is held, then a minimum of 6 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia
• If Masters degree is held, then minimum 12 years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia
• If Bachelors degree is held, then minimum 15 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech or academia
• Demonstrated experience leading a laboratory or research group
• Drug-discovery experience on programs in the pharmaceutical industry relevant to ASCVD(e.g., lowering LDL-C, Lp(a), apoB or triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, vascular inflammation, or other causal atherosclerosis pathways) and Kidney Health

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of atherosclerosis, lipoprotein metabolism and dyslipidemia biology, and of the human-genetic, biomarker and clinical-outcome evidence that links targets to MACE reduction. Familiarity with current and emerging ASCVD and Kidney Health therapeutics and cardiovascular outcome trials
• Ph.D. with 8+ years of relevant industry drug-discovery experience.
• Experience with direct management of scientists
• Demonstrated track record of target validation, assay development/validation and candidate selection for multiple projects, as the biology lead or lab head whose in vitro work enabled decisions.
• Deep expertise across multiple assay classes (cell-based functional, biochemical, enzymatic and binding assays), including assay optimization, statistical validation, and data analysis.
• Strong written and oral scientific communication, including presenting data and recommendations to leadership or governance audiences and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience supporting multiple therapeutic modalities (small molecules, biologics, siRNA/ASO, gene editing) and the in vitro strategies each requires.
• Experience with enzyme kinetics and mechanism-of-inhibition studies, and with biophysical binding methods (SPR, BLI, ITC, FP, TR-FRET) for small molecules and biologics.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory automation (acoustic/liquid handlers), assay miniaturization and screening informatics.
• Experience with primary human hepatocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, iPSC-derived cells or organoid/co-culture models.
• Working familiarity with bioinformatics, human-genetics resources and AI/computational tools applied to target identification and validation.
• Formal people-leadership; track record of building teams, developing scientists and recruiting talent.
• Highly organized; able to manage a portfolio of projects and a team of direct reports simultaneously.
• Experience with external innovation, such as academic collaborations, CRO management or scientific due diligence for business development and licensing.
• Recognized scientific reputation in cardiovascular or lipid biology (publications, patents, invited presentations).

Additional Information

• Position is onsite, full-time, in Indianapolis, IN.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Lilly is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

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.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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