Director/Sr. Director – Medicinal Chemistry (synthetic macrocycles)
Eli Lilly and Company
August 11, 2026
On-site
Indianapolis, IN
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as a subject matter expert in macrocyclic small molecules and/or macrocyclic peptides; drive hit-finding strategy and deliver chemically tractable macrocycle hits against novel/challenging targets.
- Design and synthesize macrocyclic small molecules and macrocyclic peptides to enable hit-to-lead progression across multiple therapeutic areas.
- Apply SAR knowledge to drive iterative DMTA cycles, balancing potency, selectivity, and drug-like properties.
- Collaborate with Biology, DMPK, Computational Chemistry, and other partners to execute efficient molecule design strategies.
- Leverage ADME/DMPK principles to optimize oral bioavailability, metabolic stability, permeability, and pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Contribute to program strategy discussions (TPP development and go/no-go frameworks).
- Communicate scientific findings to internal stakeholders (program teams, portfolio boards, leadership).
- Maintain thorough and timely ELN documentation per IP and regulatory requirements.
- Mentor junior scientists and support a collaborative, rigorous team culture.
Basic Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Peptide chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field.
- Minimum 8 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on macrocycle hit-finding plus design/synthesis of macrocyclic peptides or macrocyclic small molecules.
- Strong ADME/DMPK foundation (oral bioavailability, metabolic stability, PK/PD relationships).
- Track record of multi-disciplinary collaboration in pharma/biotech.
- Experience across therapeutic areas/modalities and with challenging/undrugged targets.
- Clinical translation knowledge (candidate nomination; IND-enabling studies).
- Strong publication/patent record; excellent written/oral communication.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation; full-time employees may be eligible for a company bonus.
- 401(k), pension, vacation; medical/dental/vision/prescription; flexible benefits; life insurance; time off/leave; well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance, fitness, clubs/activities).
- Serve as a subject matter expert in macrocyclic small molecules and/or macrocyclic peptides; drive hit-finding strategy and deliver chemically tractable macrocycle hits against novel/challenging targets.
- Design and synthesize macrocyclic small molecules and macrocyclic peptides to enable hit-to-lead progression across multiple therapeutic areas.
- Apply SAR knowledge to drive iterative DMTA cycles, balancing potency, selectivity, and drug-like properties.
- Collaborate with Biology, DMPK, Computational Chemistry, and other partners to execute efficient molecule design strategies.
- Leverage ADME/DMPK principles to optimize oral bioavailability, metabolic stability, permeability, and pharmacokinetic profiles.
- Contribute to program strategy discussions (TPP development and go/no-go frameworks).
- Communicate scientific findings to internal stakeholders (program teams, portfolio boards, leadership).
- Maintain thorough and timely ELN documentation per IP and regulatory requirements.
- Mentor junior scientists and support a collaborative, rigorous team culture.
Basic Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Peptide chemistry, Chemical Biology, or related field.
- Minimum 8 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on macrocycle hit-finding plus design/synthesis of macrocyclic peptides or macrocyclic small molecules.
- Strong ADME/DMPK foundation (oral bioavailability, metabolic stability, PK/PD relationships).
- Track record of multi-disciplinary collaboration in pharma/biotech.
- Experience across therapeutic areas/modalities and with challenging/undrugged targets.
- Clinical translation knowledge (candidate nomination; IND-enabling studies).
- Strong publication/patent record; excellent written/oral communication.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation; full-time employees may be eligible for a company bonus.
- 401(k), pension, vacation; medical/dental/vision/prescription; flexible benefits; life insurance; time off/leave; well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance, fitness, clubs/activities).