Sr. Advisor / Scientific Director - Peptide Phage Display (San Diego, CA)

Company Name

Eli Lilly and Company

Found Description

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

This is a technical lead position (Senior Advisor or Scientific Director) in the Peptide Discovery Team within Biotechnology Discovery Research in San Diego that utilizes multiple peptide discovery platforms to identify functionally active peptides for a given biological target of interest. The individual will spearhead the design and execution of the next generation of peptide phage display (cloning and screening with multicyclic peptide scaffolds) through individual contribution, providing training and working closely with a team of scientists.

This individual will lead the peptide phage display screening projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams to accelerate the development of cyclic peptide hits for therapeutic applications, including peptide drug (small molecule or nucleic acids) conjugates and peptide radionuclide conjugates. Responsibilities for this role include mentoring junior scientists and effectively communicating progress to cross-functional partners within Biotechnology Discovery Research and across Discovery Chemistry, Genetic Medicines, Therapeutic Area Teams, Drug Disposition, Bioproduct Development and Regulatory Affairs.

Key Objectives/Deliverables

• Apply expertise of molecular biology, genetic engineering, and chemistry to build a robust multicyclic peptide phage display platform.
• Execute the multicyclic peptide phage display platform for the discovery and optimization of peptide hits for a given biological target of interest.
• Develop new methods and technologies to strengthen the platform.
• Train junior scientists on the build and execution of multicyclic peptide phage display platform.
• Lead screening projects and collaborate closely with experts in different fields, such as organic chemistry, computational science, and structural biology.
• Incorporate knowledge to improve peptide properties such as binding affinity to target or physicochemical properties.
• In collaboration with peptide chemists, implement rational SAR strategies to improve pharmaceutical properties of therapeutic peptide leads.
• The candidate is expected to exhibit strong problem-solving abilities and be familiar with understanding and resolving issues that lie at the interface of peptide discovery, peptide engineering, pharmaceutical developability and formulation, and biology.

Basic Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology with a strong focus on peptides.
• 3+ years of experience in a biotechnology/pharmaceutical company with a demonstrated leadership in peptide discovery and a track record of advancing peptide-based therapeutics, from concept to clinical development.

Additional Skills And Preferences

• Supervisory experience in directing junior scientists in the design and execution of experiments.
• Experience using state-of-the-art peptide phage display peptide platform as demonstrated by publications or patents.
• Experience with biochemical and cell assay design and development to support peptide discovery efforts.
• Experience in triaging and validating peptide actives following selection campaigns.
• Understanding compound physical chemistry models, measurements, their relationships to ADME properties.
• Appreciation of peptide formulation requirements and experience incorporating pharmaceutical developability assessment in peptide optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, and excellent organizational, communication and presentation skills.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form here for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $148,500 - $232,100.

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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