Biologist - Microscopy & Imaging – Psychiatry, Pain and Neuronal Health team

Company: Eli Lilly and Company

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

As a Microscopy & Imaging research associate in the neuroscience unit, you will play a critical role in advancing novel targets for psychiatric, pain and neuronal health disorders.

You will drive insights into brain biology through high-resolution imaging and histological characterization, supporting drug discovery and translational research.

We Are Seeking a Candidate Who Will

• Operate and maintain advanced imaging systems, including confocal, STED, and PALM super-resolution microscopy; experience with in vivo 2-photon imaging is a strong plus.
• Perform histological and molecular assays, including immunohistochemistry, fluorescent labeling, and in situ hybridization; experience with ex vivo assays (qPCR, WB, ELISA) is desirable.
• Develop and apply image analysis workflows (Python, MATLAB, R, ImageJ/Fiji, Imari's).
• Conduct in vivo pharmacology studies in rodent models, including tissue/organ collection for downstream histological and imaging studies.
• Assist in development and characterization of novel animal models with imaging-based readouts (neuronal morphology, synaptic health, plasticity).
• Have strong analytical thinking skills, problem-solving, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners.
• Collaborate closely with neuroscience, translational, and CRO partners to ensure robust and translatable imaging datasets.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in electronic notebooks in alignment with Lilly quality standards and Good Documentation Practices.
• Weekend work may occasionally be required.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in life sciences (e.g., neuroscience, biology, biomedical engineering) with 3+ years of hands-on laboratory experience (academic, CRO, or industry).
• Strong technical expertise in advanced microscopy systems.
• Operate and maintain advanced imaging systems, including confocal microscopy, STED, and PALM super-resolution imaging.
• Strong analytical thinking skills, problem-solving, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners.
• Collaborate closely with neuroscience, translational, and CRO partners to ensure robust and translatable imaging datasets.
• Experience with ex vivo assays (qPCR, WB, ELISA) is a plus.
• Necropsy/dissection experience and isolation of central brain areas and peripheral nervous system are desired.
• Passion for neuroscience research and drug discovery.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Expertise in in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescent labeling techniques.
• Prior experience in necropsy/dissection and isolation of central brain areas and peripheral nervous system tissues.
• Experience writing custom data analysis script is a plus.

Additional Information

• 10-20% travel.
• On-site position at Lilly Corporate Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization and/or visas for this role.

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 Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $63,000 - $162,800. 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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