Director - In Vivo Pharmacology

Role Summary

Director of In Vivo Pharmacology leading preclinical pharmacology studies, designing and executing in vivo studies to demonstrate proof of concept and support candidate selection for clinical development within Neuroscience NGTx at Lilly's Boston Seaport Innovation Center.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and scientific oversight for all in vivo pharmacology activities, aligning with Neuroscience portfolio priorities and organizational goals
• Lead design, execution, and interpretation of preclinical efficacy studies
• Drive scientific rigor and innovation in study design, incorporating emerging technologies for novel modalities
• Serve as the in vivo pharmacology expert on cross-functional project teams, influencing key candidate progression decisions
• 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
• Partner with Discovery Research and Clinical Development to translate preclinical findings to clinical studies
• Identify and implement new technologies, models, and capabilities to strengthen the CNS in vivo pharmacology platform
• Represent the organization at scientific conferences and maintain external collaborations with academic and industry partners
• Ensure studies comply with animal welfare regulations and institutional guidelines
• Manage departmental budget and external vendor relationships
• Drive operational efficiency 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/biotech experience with significant expertise in in vivo pharmacology
• Minimum 3 years of people management experience, including leading scientists and building teams
• Preferred: deep understanding of drug discovery and development processes
• Preferred: proven track record of contributing to successful preclinical candidate nominations
• Preferred: excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Preferred: ability to influence and make strategic decisions in a matrixed, fast-paced environment
• Preferred: expertise in neurological disorders, especially chronic pain and neurodegenerative disease
• Preferred: knowledge of novel modalities (e.g., siRNAs, genetic medicines)
• Preferred: familiarity with CNS drug delivery challenges
• Preferred: understanding translational biomarker strategies for neurological disorders
• Preferred: knowledge of regulatory requirements for IND-enabling studies
• Preferred: track record of innovation in preclinical model development or methodology
• Preferred: experience in innovation-focused or startup-like environments
• Preferred: strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals

Skills

• Strategic leadership and scientific vision for in vivo pharmacology
• Cross-functional collaboration and influencing without authority
• Advanced knowledge of preclinical pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy modeling
• Operational management, budgeting, and vendor relationship management
• Communication of complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences

Education

• PhD in Neuroscience or related field

Additional Requirements

• 5-10% travel