Director - Oligonucleotide ChemistryLilly is passionate about the discovery, development and commercialization of potential new medicines that will impact and improve the lives of patients. Lilly Genetic Medicines is an innovation-focused organization striving to identify, develop and apply the most cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum benefit to our patients. Our agile and diverse team strives to operate as an autonomous 'biotech-like' company within the walls of Lilly.
The Lilly Genetic Medicines (LGM) organization is looking for a collaborative, creative, and energetic problem solver to join a multidisciplinary team at the front edge of innovation. They will join our fast-paced, interdisciplinary team as we utilize novel RNA/oligonucleotide based therapeutic modalities to enhance the Lilly portfolio. The successful applicant will utilize their knowledge and technical expertise to lead a team and accelerate the core capabilities of large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis of internal RNAi-based clinical candidates. Are you skilled in large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis and interested in leading a team at the interface of RNAi discovery and development for impactful patient therapies? We want you on our team!
Responsibilities:
- Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical development
- Utilize comprehensive expertise in oligonucleotide synthesis methodologies to support Lilly Genetic Medicines and further develop internal capabilities and team growth through effective coaching, mentorship, and leadership
- Collaborate with members of the RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute requirements for oligonucleotide synthesis from 150umol to 6mmol scales including communication of relevant information and results to project leads and/or cross functional organizations within Lilly to ensure seamless operation of the scale-up team
- Lead at the interface with our CMC and Development teams to provide essential material planning for key studies as projects move from discovery to development and effectively communicate technical insights to the development team to appropriately resource efforts either within our organization or outside based on capacity and capability constraints
- Demonstrate expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry, striving to improve methods, develop new technologies, and address synthetic oligonucleotide challenges across a diverse portfolio of oligonucleotide modalities
- Communicate regularly with LGM leadership and cross-functional partners to address resource or timeline gaps for material generation and ensure on-time delivery of portfolio critical material
- Oversee and prioritize the work of LGM scale-up team members to most efficiently meet critical timelines
- Value diverse perspectives and experiences for effective solutions. Motivate team members to take initiative, own outcomes, and share expertise on complex technical challenges
- Guide teams through unclear situations, adapt efficiently to changes, and evaluate and implement effective approaches to completing tasks
- Lead the innovation for the LGM scale-up team in oligonucleotide synthesis through integration of new instrumentation, capabilities, workflows and/or methodology
- Forecast, plan, organize and manage annual CAPEX budget for use on purchase of new and life-cycle replacement instrumentation to ensure uninterrupted operation and continuous improvement of the scale-up laboratory
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a relevant scientific discipline with 5+ years of experience (oligonucleotide synthesis experience, solid phase synthesis preferred)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in supervising a team of scientists to evaluate, refine and execute synthetic routes, technologies, and practices to deliver LGM portfolio
- Experience in coaching/mentoring scientists in their technical and leadership development
- Experience in troubleshooting and optimizing synthetic protocols on oligonucleotide automated solid-phase synthesis instruments
- Experience with downstream processing of oligonucleotides including use of chromatographic purification and process TFF systems
- Strong organic chemistry expertise with excellent track record of problem-solving synthetic challenges, preferred expertise in oligonucleotide and nucleotide/nucleoside design, synthesis and purification. Expertise in conjugation strategies for tissue selective delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics is preferred
- Strong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation such as AKTA, Agilent LC-MS and UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Water's QDA, etc
- Experience in developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).
- Experience in conjugation of novel ligands, including small molecules, peptides, and proteins to oligonucleotides at 5-25g scale
- Ability to function within a highly interdisciplinary environment
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, good organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and lead a team to deliver on tight deadlines
- Confident, execution-focused, and team oriented with a desire to thrive in a fast-paced growing environment is a plus.
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$153,000 - $264,000
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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