Advisor/Senior Advisor - Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Role Summary

The Lilly Genetic Medicines (LGM) Team is seeking a collaborative, creative, and energetic problem solver to join a fast-paced, interdisciplinary group at the frontier of oligonucleotide therapeutics. The role focuses on accelerating core capabilities for large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis of internal RNAi-based clinical candidates, advancing from pre-clinical to clinical development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development
• Utilize expertise in oligonucleotide synthesis methodologies to support Lilly Genetic Medicines and develop internal capabilities through coaching and leadership
• Collaborate with RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute synthesis requirements from 150 μmol to 6 mmol scales, communicating results to project leads and cross-functional groups
• Support lead drug candidate discovery and interface with CMC and Development teams to provide materials for key studies and communicate technical insights
• Demonstrate expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry, improving methods and addressing oligonucleotide challenges across a diverse portfolio
• Oversee and prioritize the work of scale-up team members to meet critical timelines
• Value diverse perspectives, motivate team members, and share expertise on complex technical challenges
• Guide teams through unclear situations, adapt to changes, and implement effective approaches to completing tasks

Qualifications

• Required: PhD in a relevant scientific discipline with 2+ years of oligonucleotide synthesis experience (solid-phase synthesis) or MS with 5+ years of oligonucleotide synthesis experience
• Preferred: Experience supervising a team of scientists to evaluate and execute synthetic routes and technologies for the LGM portfolio
• Preferred: Troubleshooting and optimization of synthetic protocols on automated solid-phase synthesis instruments
• Preferred: Experience with downstream processing of oligonucleotides including chromatographic purification and process TFF systems
• Preferred: Ability to function in a highly interdisciplinary environment
• Preferred: Excellent written and oral communication, organizational skills, multitasking, and ability to lead a team to tight deadlines
• Preferred: Execution-focused, team-oriented, and comfortable thriving in a fast-paced environment
• Preferred: Strong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation (e.g., AKTA, LC-MS, UPLC, QDA)
• Preferred: Experience developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS)
• Preferred: Experience conjugating novel ligands to oligonucleotides at 5–25 g scale

Education

• PhD with 2+ years of oligonucleotide synthesis experience or MS with 5+ years of oligonucleotide synthesis experience