Our clinical chemistry and biomarker laboratory within Cardiometabolic Research (CMR) generates high-quality data across preclinical and clinical samples - to characterize and evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacology of therapeutic candidates from discovery through clinical development. We are strengthening this capability and are seeking a hands-on scientific team leader to establish reliable, high-quality delivery, build a collaborative and resilient team, and adapt to shifting portfolio priorities.
Purpose of the JobThis is a senior, hands-on leadership role that leads and coordinates the people and day-to-day operations of the clinical chemistry laboratory and owns the review, interpretation, and translation of analytical results into clear, actionable conclusions for therapeutic-area scientists, study teams, and cross-functional partners. The emphasis is team leadership and interpretation rather than routine bench execution; however, this is a working leader who retains hands-on competency and steps at the bench as needed to train staff, cover workload, and lead by example. Success depends on strong delegation, a collaborative team culture, and an out-of-the-box approach suited to a discovery setting that does not fully mirror a standard clinical chemistry laboratory. A central objective is to build and standardize operations - coordinating closely with all biomarker research labs on shared samples and hand-offs - and to restore dependable, on-time turnaround.
Key Responsibilities1. Team Leadership, Delegation & Culture - Lead, coordinate, and develop the laboratory team of employees and contractors. Delegate effectively across the team, balance and schedule workload, and provide day-to-day coaching, mentoring, training, and competency development. Champion a collaborative, accountable, high-performing culture, and establish clear roles, expectations, and ways of working as the group rebuilds.
2. Interpretation & Translation of Results - Review and interpret clinical chemistry, hematology, pathology and biomarker data and translate results into clear conclusions and their biological and study context for therapeutic-area scientists, study directors, and cross-functional partners. Contextualize findings against species-specific reference intervals and expected physiology, follow up on anomalies, present result summaries, and serve as the laboratory's point of contact for data interpretation.
3. Technical Leadership & Hands-On Support - Maintain personal competency in core clinical chemistry, pathology and biomarker methods. Perform, troubleshoot, and validate assays as needed to support the team, cover capacity, and onboard new tests; provide at-the-bench technical guidance; establish, deliver, and assess staff training and competency programs; and serve as a technical resource for laboratory personnel, study teams, veterinarians/pathologists, and external partners.
4. Quality, Compliance & Data Integrity - Oversee QC and data review to ensure high quality and eliminate errors. Author and revise SOPs/SLPs, methods, and guidelines; ensure adherence to applicable standards and quality systems (e.g., GLP/GCP/GCLP/CLIA/CAP as applicable); own investigations, corrective and preventive actions, and audit and inspection readiness.
5. Laboratory Operations & Standardization - Direct daily workflow, sample management and chain-of-custody, instrument readiness, inventory, and laboratory organization and safety - primarily through the team. Drive standardization and automation, and coordinate closely with the biomarker research labs on shared samples, hand-offs, and consistent standards across projects that span multiple groups. Set and track quality metrics, re-establish reliable on-time delivery, and evaluate, validate, and onboard new tests, technologies, instrumentation, and laboratory information systems (e.g., LIMS).
6. Partner, Vendor & Contractor Management - Build and maintain strong relationships with internal client scientists and study teams; understand their needs and set clear expectations and timelines. Provide scientific and technical oversight of contractors and of work conducted at third-party organizations / CROs, and act as the primary point of escalation for technical and delivery issues.
7. Process Optimization & Innovation - Champion process improvement, standardization, and automation to improve throughput, reproducibility, and data quality. Bring an out-of-the-box perspective to a discovery environment that does not fully mimic a standard clinical chemistry setting, adapting methods and evaluating new technologies - including artificial intelligence (AI) tools - to meet evolving research needs.
Basic Requirements- Bachelor's degree in biology, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, biochemistry, or a related scientific field
- 5+ years of demonstrated hands-on experience performing clinical chemistry and pathology or related analytical laboratory assays
- Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.
Additional Skills / Preferences- Deep understanding of the clinical chemistry world - analytes, assay principles, instrumentation, reference intervals, and physiological interpretation of results.
- Veterinary or preclinical clinical pathology experience - animal models, species-specific hematology and clinical chemistry, and comfort partnering with veterinarians, study directors, biologists, and pathologists in a discovery setting.
- Demonstrated team leadership or supervisory experience with the competency to train, assess, and supervise staff performing this work.
- Creative, out-of-the-box problem-solver comfortable in a discovery environment that does not fully mirror a standard clinical chemistry laboratory, and a strong collaborator across teams.
- Hands-on proficiency across clinical pathology methods, including automated hematology and chemistry analyzers and blood and bone-marrow smear preparation and review, with the ability to train others.
- Board or laboratory certification (e.g., ASCP MT/MLS or veterinary equivalent) is not required in this discovery environment but is welcomed; a certification-grade, clinical-lab approach - regimented rigor and high documentation standards - is highly valued.
- Working knowledge of quality systems, SOP authoring, and data integrity, with familiarity with GLP/GCP/GCLP/CLIA/CAP as applicable.
- Experience with laboratory information management systems (e.g., Provantis, Signals) and proficiency with Excel and data-visualization tools. Innovative perspective to adapt and welcome the AI-revolution.
- Familiarity with biomarker assay formats (e.g., ELISA, MSD, immunoassays) is a plus.
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$65,250 - $169,400
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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