Director - Oligonucleotide Chemistry
Eli Lilly and Company
September 02, 2026
Remote friendly (Indianapolis, IN)
United States
Operations
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Hire, develop, and supervise a team of Ph.D.- and associate-level scientists
- Lead screening, design, and SAR optimization of oligonucleotide constructs (siRNA, ASOs, conjugates) to advance differentiated clinical candidates
- Support integration of AI/ML into oligonucleotide discovery efforts
- Partner with legal to support IP strategy for assigned programs
- Present and summarize results to team members and internal teams
- Advance technical capabilities by embracing new technologies and applying insights across oligonucleotide discovery challenges
- Demonstrate learning agility and apply new scientific concepts/technologies across challenges
- Leverage communication (oral/written), organizational, collaboration, EQ, and leadership skills
- Keep safety a top priority and help foster an interdependent safety culture
Basic Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in chemistry (or related field) with 7–10+ years industry experience in oligonucleotide discovery and development
Additional Skills/Preferences:
- Demonstrated track record of delivering drugs to the clinic
- Experience with extra-hepatic delivery of oligonucleotides and conjugates
- Data-driven study design; timeline and partner management; competitive intelligence; resource planning
- Clear management style; excellent communication/interpersonal skills; team-player mentality
- Initiative and appropriate risk-taking
- High organization and attention to detail
Benefits (if part of job description): 401(k) eligibility, pension, vacation; medical/dental/vision/prescription; flexible benefits; life insurance/death benefits; time off/leave; well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance, fitness, clubs/activities).
Application instructions: If you require accommodation to submit a resume, complete the workplace accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation.
- Hire, develop, and supervise a team of Ph.D.- and associate-level scientists
- Lead screening, design, and SAR optimization of oligonucleotide constructs (siRNA, ASOs, conjugates) to advance differentiated clinical candidates
- Support integration of AI/ML into oligonucleotide discovery efforts
- Partner with legal to support IP strategy for assigned programs
- Present and summarize results to team members and internal teams
- Advance technical capabilities by embracing new technologies and applying insights across oligonucleotide discovery challenges
- Demonstrate learning agility and apply new scientific concepts/technologies across challenges
- Leverage communication (oral/written), organizational, collaboration, EQ, and leadership skills
- Keep safety a top priority and help foster an interdependent safety culture
Basic Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in chemistry (or related field) with 7–10+ years industry experience in oligonucleotide discovery and development
Additional Skills/Preferences:
- Demonstrated track record of delivering drugs to the clinic
- Experience with extra-hepatic delivery of oligonucleotides and conjugates
- Data-driven study design; timeline and partner management; competitive intelligence; resource planning
- Clear management style; excellent communication/interpersonal skills; team-player mentality
- Initiative and appropriate risk-taking
- High organization and attention to detail
Benefits (if part of job description): 401(k) eligibility, pension, vacation; medical/dental/vision/prescription; flexible benefits; life insurance/death benefits; time off/leave; well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance, fitness, clubs/activities).
Application instructions: If you require accommodation to submit a resume, complete the workplace accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation.