Director, Medicinal Chemistry
Eli Lilly and Company
August 11, 2026
Remote friendly (Louisville, CO)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Overview:
- Lilly's Early Molecule Discovery team drives small-molecule hit identification and hit-to-lead progression through structure-based, mechanism-informed, and data-driven design.
- Seeking a hands-on medicinal chemistry leader with direct experience advancing molecular glue programs from hit finding through candidate selection.
- Collaborate across pharmacology, structural biology, computational chemistry, and DMPK to translate mechanistic hypotheses into optimized molecules.
Responsibilities:
- Lead hit-to-lead optimization of screening hits to improve potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and ADMET.
- Apply structure-based and data-driven design, incorporating ternary complex structural data where relevant.
- Design and synthesize novel molecules to test mechanistic hypotheses, including cooperativity-driven SAR for molecular glue chemotypes.
- Design and implement screening cascades tailored to molecular glue pharmacology.
- Direct internal and external medicinal chemistry resources, including CRO relationships, to align strategy and timelines.
- Oversee high-throughput synthesis, route scouting, and scale-up for efficient compound delivery.
- Maintain a strong safety culture and efficient lab operations.
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in Organic Chemistry (or related): 8+ years small-molecule drug discovery; or MS: 10+ years; or BS: 12+ years.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Extensive medicinal chemistry, SAR analysis, and structure-/mechanism-based molecular design.
- Direct experience with molecular glue degraders (protein–protein interface engagement, E3 ligase biology, neosubstrate identification).
- Leadership as chemistry lead on programs reaching candidate selection (ideally molecular glue).
- Scientific contributions via publications/patents/external presentations.
- Experience with external chemistry teams/CROs; novel modalities (targeted protein degradation, covalent chemistry) and biophysical techniques.
- Familiarity with computational tools (e.g., LiveDesign, MOE, Maestro) and AI-enabled chemistry tools.
- Self-driven growth mindset; strong communication/collaboration in multidisciplinary, matrixed environments.
Benefits:
- Eligible for company bonus (depending on company/individual performance) and comprehensive benefit program (401(k), pension, vacation, medical/dental/vision/prescription, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off/leave, well-being benefits).
Application instructions:
- If you require accommodation to submit a resume, complete: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation
- Lilly's Early Molecule Discovery team drives small-molecule hit identification and hit-to-lead progression through structure-based, mechanism-informed, and data-driven design.
- Seeking a hands-on medicinal chemistry leader with direct experience advancing molecular glue programs from hit finding through candidate selection.
- Collaborate across pharmacology, structural biology, computational chemistry, and DMPK to translate mechanistic hypotheses into optimized molecules.
Responsibilities:
- Lead hit-to-lead optimization of screening hits to improve potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and ADMET.
- Apply structure-based and data-driven design, incorporating ternary complex structural data where relevant.
- Design and synthesize novel molecules to test mechanistic hypotheses, including cooperativity-driven SAR for molecular glue chemotypes.
- Design and implement screening cascades tailored to molecular glue pharmacology.
- Direct internal and external medicinal chemistry resources, including CRO relationships, to align strategy and timelines.
- Oversee high-throughput synthesis, route scouting, and scale-up for efficient compound delivery.
- Maintain a strong safety culture and efficient lab operations.
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in Organic Chemistry (or related): 8+ years small-molecule drug discovery; or MS: 10+ years; or BS: 12+ years.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Extensive medicinal chemistry, SAR analysis, and structure-/mechanism-based molecular design.
- Direct experience with molecular glue degraders (protein–protein interface engagement, E3 ligase biology, neosubstrate identification).
- Leadership as chemistry lead on programs reaching candidate selection (ideally molecular glue).
- Scientific contributions via publications/patents/external presentations.
- Experience with external chemistry teams/CROs; novel modalities (targeted protein degradation, covalent chemistry) and biophysical techniques.
- Familiarity with computational tools (e.g., LiveDesign, MOE, Maestro) and AI-enabled chemistry tools.
- Self-driven growth mindset; strong communication/collaboration in multidisciplinary, matrixed environments.
Benefits:
- Eligible for company bonus (depending on company/individual performance) and comprehensive benefit program (401(k), pension, vacation, medical/dental/vision/prescription, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off/leave, well-being benefits).
Application instructions:
- If you require accommodation to submit a resume, complete: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation