Director - Oligonucleotide Chemistry
Eli Lilly and Company
September 02, 2026
Remote friendly (Indianapolis, IN)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Director - Oligonucleotide Chemistry
Responsibilities
- Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development.
- Apply oligonucleotide synthesis methodology expertise; coach/mentor to grow team capabilities.
- Collaborate with RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute synthesis requirements from 150umol to 6mmol scales; communicate results to project leads/cross-functional partners.
- Partner with CMC and Development teams for material planning as projects move to development; communicate technical insights to resource efforts appropriately.
- Advance modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry to improve methods, develop technologies, and solve oligonucleotide synthesis challenges across modalities.
- Coordinate with LGM leadership to address resource/timeline gaps and ensure on-time delivery of portfolio-critical material.
- Oversee and prioritize scale-up team work to meet critical timelines.
- Integrate new instrumentation/capabilities/workflows/methodology to drive innovation.
- Forecast, plan, organize, and manage annual CAPEX budget for instrumentation to ensure continuous improvement.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or relevant scientific discipline with 5+ years of experience; oligonucleotide synthesis experience; solid phase synthesis preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Supervise scientists; coach/mentor; troubleshoot/optimize automated solid-phase synthesis protocols.
- Downstream processing experience (chromatography purification, process TFF).
- Strong organic chemistry; expertise in oligonucleotide/nucleotide/nucleoside design/synthesis/purification; conjugation for tissue selective delivery preferred.
- Analytical instrumentation experience (e.g., AKTA, LC-MS/UPLC); develop chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).
- Conjugation experience at 5–25g scale; interdisciplinary collaboration; strong communication/organization; multitasking and team leadership under tight deadlines.
Compensation/Benefits
- Anticipated wage: $153,000 - $264,000; eligible for company bonus and comprehensive benefits (401(k), pension, vacation, medical/dental/vision, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off/leave, well-being).
Responsibilities
- Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development.
- Apply oligonucleotide synthesis methodology expertise; coach/mentor to grow team capabilities.
- Collaborate with RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute synthesis requirements from 150umol to 6mmol scales; communicate results to project leads/cross-functional partners.
- Partner with CMC and Development teams for material planning as projects move to development; communicate technical insights to resource efforts appropriately.
- Advance modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry to improve methods, develop technologies, and solve oligonucleotide synthesis challenges across modalities.
- Coordinate with LGM leadership to address resource/timeline gaps and ensure on-time delivery of portfolio-critical material.
- Oversee and prioritize scale-up team work to meet critical timelines.
- Integrate new instrumentation/capabilities/workflows/methodology to drive innovation.
- Forecast, plan, organize, and manage annual CAPEX budget for instrumentation to ensure continuous improvement.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or relevant scientific discipline with 5+ years of experience; oligonucleotide synthesis experience; solid phase synthesis preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
- Supervise scientists; coach/mentor; troubleshoot/optimize automated solid-phase synthesis protocols.
- Downstream processing experience (chromatography purification, process TFF).
- Strong organic chemistry; expertise in oligonucleotide/nucleotide/nucleoside design/synthesis/purification; conjugation for tissue selective delivery preferred.
- Analytical instrumentation experience (e.g., AKTA, LC-MS/UPLC); develop chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).
- Conjugation experience at 5–25g scale; interdisciplinary collaboration; strong communication/organization; multitasking and team leadership under tight deadlines.
Compensation/Benefits
- Anticipated wage: $153,000 - $264,000; eligible for company bonus and comprehensive benefits (401(k), pension, vacation, medical/dental/vision, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off/leave, well-being).