Advisor/Senior Advisor - Oligonucleotide Chemistry
Eli Lilly and Company
August 23, 2026
Remote friendly (Indianapolis, IN)
United States
$126,000 - $204,600 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Responsibilities:
- Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development
- Use oligonucleotide synthesis expertise to support LGM and develop internal capabilities through effective coaching, mentorship, and leadership
- Collaborate with RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute oligonucleotide synthesis requirements from 150 µmol to 6 mmol scales; communicate results to project leads and cross-functional organizations
- Support discovery of lead drug candidates in partnership with CMC and Development teams by providing essential materials and communicating technical insights
- Demonstrate expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry; improve methods, develop new technologies, and address synthetic oligonucleotide challenges
- Oversee and prioritize scale-up team work to meet critical timelines
- Motivate team members to take initiative, own outcomes, and share expertise
- Guide teams through unclear situations, adapt to changes, and implement effective approaches
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in relevant scientific discipline with 2+ years experience (oligonucleotide/solid phase synthesis) OR MS with 5+ years experience (oligonucleotide/solid phase synthesis)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Supervise scientists executing/refining synthetic routes, technologies, and practices
- Troubleshoot and optimize synthetic protocols on automated solid-phase synthesis instruments
- Downstream processing experience (chromatographic purification, process TFF)
- Work effectively in highly interdisciplinary environments
- Strong written/oral communication, organization, multitasking; ability to lead on tight deadlines
- Strong lab skills and analytical instrumentation experience (e.g., AKTA, Agilent LC-MS/UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Waters QDA)
- Develop chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS)
- Conjugation experience (small molecules/peptides/proteins to oligonucleotides at 5–25 g scale)
Application Instructions:
- If you need accommodation to submit a resume, complete the workplace accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation
- Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development
- Use oligonucleotide synthesis expertise to support LGM and develop internal capabilities through effective coaching, mentorship, and leadership
- Collaborate with RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute oligonucleotide synthesis requirements from 150 µmol to 6 mmol scales; communicate results to project leads and cross-functional organizations
- Support discovery of lead drug candidates in partnership with CMC and Development teams by providing essential materials and communicating technical insights
- Demonstrate expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry; improve methods, develop new technologies, and address synthetic oligonucleotide challenges
- Oversee and prioritize scale-up team work to meet critical timelines
- Motivate team members to take initiative, own outcomes, and share expertise
- Guide teams through unclear situations, adapt to changes, and implement effective approaches
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in relevant scientific discipline with 2+ years experience (oligonucleotide/solid phase synthesis) OR MS with 5+ years experience (oligonucleotide/solid phase synthesis)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Supervise scientists executing/refining synthetic routes, technologies, and practices
- Troubleshoot and optimize synthetic protocols on automated solid-phase synthesis instruments
- Downstream processing experience (chromatographic purification, process TFF)
- Work effectively in highly interdisciplinary environments
- Strong written/oral communication, organization, multitasking; ability to lead on tight deadlines
- Strong lab skills and analytical instrumentation experience (e.g., AKTA, Agilent LC-MS/UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Waters QDA)
- Develop chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS)
- Conjugation experience (small molecules/peptides/proteins to oligonucleotides at 5–25 g scale)
Application Instructions:
- If you need accommodation to submit a resume, complete the workplace accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation