Director - In Vivo Pharmacology

Role Summary

Director of In Vivo Pharmacology leading the Neuroscience Next Generation Therapeutics (NGTx) team, overseeing preclinical pharmacology studies, in vivo efficacy and pharmacodynamic assessments, and candidate selection for clinical development at Lilly’s Boston Seaport Innovation Center.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and scientific oversight for all in vivo pharmacology activities, ensuring alignment with Neuroscience portfolio priorities and organizational goals
• Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of preclinical efficacy studies
• Drive scientific rigor and innovation in study design, incorporating emerging technologies and methodologies appropriate for novel modalities
• Serve as the in vivo pharmacology expert on cross-functional project teams, influencing key decisions on candidate progression
• Mentor, coach, and retain a high-performing team of in vivo pharmacologists and research scientists
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Provide career development guidance and create opportunities for team growth
• Manage resource allocation and prioritization across multiple projects
• Contribute to target validation and candidate selection decisions through expert pharmacology assessment of novel therapeutic modalities
• Partner with Discovery Research and Clinical Development to ensure seamless translation from preclinical to clinical studies
• Identify and implement new technologies, models, and capabilities to strengthen in vivo pharmacology platform for CNS therapeutics
• Represent the organization at scientific conferences and maintain external collaborations with academic and industry partners
• Ensure studies are conducted in compliance with animal welfare regulations and institutional guidelines
• Manage departmental budget and external vendor relationships
• Drive operational efficiency and speed while maintaining scientific quality
• Establish and track key performance metrics for the team

Qualifications

• PhD in Neuroscience or related scientific field
• 5+ years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology experience with significant expertise in in vivo pharmacology
• Minimum 3 years of people management experience, including leading scientists and building teams
• Deep understanding of drug discovery and development processes
• Proven track record of contributing to successful preclinical candidate nominations
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Demonstrated ability to influence and make strategic decisions in a matrixed, fast-paced environment
• Expertise in neurological disorders, particularly chronic pain and neurodegenerative disease
• Knowledge of novel therapeutic modalities such as siRNAs and other genetic medicines
• Familiarity with CNS drug delivery approaches and challenges
• Understanding of translational biomarker strategies for neurological disorders
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for IND-enabling studies
• Track record of innovation in preclinical model development or methodology
• Experience working in innovation-focused or startup-like environments
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals

Skills

• Strategic leadership in preclinical pharmacology
• Cross-functional collaboration and influence
• Advanced in vivo pharmacology techniques and experimental design
• Communication of complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
• Project and resource management
• Ability to navigate regulatory considerations for CNS programs

Education

• PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Additional Requirements

• 5-10% travel