Advisor - Analytical Chemistry

About This Opportunity

SMDD has an exciting opportunity for an Advisor, Analytical Chemistry to join our collaborative team as an individual contributor in a primarily laboratory-based role. This position uniquely positions you at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, working hands-on across multiple cutting-edge modalities (oligonucleotides, peptides, and small molecules) while directly impacting patient lives through medicines that advance from bench to bedside.

Position Responsibilities

As an individual contributor, analytical scientists in SMDD enable the comprehensive characterization of materials and processes necessary to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of Lilly's medicines through direct laboratory work. This responsibility requires hands-on contribution to the development of analytical methodology, execution of experiments to generate key data, and support of regulatory documents (e.g., IND, NDA). Scientists in this position are expected to:

• Perform hands-on laboratory work to support the design, development, and implementation of product control strategies for oligonucleotide, peptide, and/or small molecule programs, directly enabling clinical milestones and regulatory submissions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in multiple analytical technologies through daily laboratory work, with an emphasis on chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Operate cutting-edge instrumentation and apply emerging analytical techniques.
• Execute analytical method development, generate data to justify specifications, conduct stability studies, perform starting material testing for synthetic processes, identify and characterize impurities, and test drug product performance characteristics (e.g., dissolution/disintegration).
• Conduct hands-on laboratory research to support internal process development in a fast-paced environment. This includes experimental design, sample preparation and analysis, instrument operation and troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Provide technical input for analytical activities executed within the external network. Review methods to ensure they are technically sound, well developed, and fit for purpose.
• Support technology transfer to CRO/CMO organizations and Lilly manufacturing sites.
• Identify and implement innovative laboratory solutions to development challenges, monitor emerging trends in analytical chemistry, and maintain familiarity with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills; effectively convey technical results and implications of laboratory data; collaborate with development partners across regulatory, clinical, and manufacturing functions; contribute to internal technical reports and regulatory submission documents.
• With experience, provide informal mentorship to junior scientists and contribute technical expertise to cross-functional project teams while maintaining focus on individual contributor laboratory responsibilities.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline
• Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline with at least 8 years of pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical development experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline with at least 12 years of pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical development experience

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Experience across multiple analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, mass spectrometry, NMR, etc.) and demonstration of strong hands-on laboratory skills and technical problem-solving abilities.
• PhD Candidates with >2 years of post-PhD hands-on laboratory experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical development or closely related analytical chemistry roles.
• Experienced candidates should demonstrate a track record of hands-on laboratory contributions to pharmaceutical development projects, including support of regulatory submissions (IND/NDA), method development and validation, and analytical testing strategies.
• Previous hands-on laboratory experience in the pharmaceutical industry or with analytical techniques directly applicable to pharmaceutical development (e.g., HPLC, MS).
• Deep fundamental understanding of and hands-on experience with reversed-phase, ion exchange, size-exclusion, chiral, and/or gas chromatography.
• Working knowledge and practical laboratory experience with optical spectroscopy (e.g., Raman, FTIR), NMR, structure elucidation, and powder characterization techniques (e.g., XRPD, particle size distribution).
• Strong hands-on technical skills, learning agility, ability to prioritize laboratory workload, and aptitude in navigating experimental challenges.
• Motivated to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic laboratory environment.
• Passion for applying analytical chemistry through hands-on laboratory work to solve real-world pharmaceutical development challenges and improve patient outcomes.

Additional Information

• Laboratory-based position with daily hands-on experimental work
• Possible exposure to chemicals, allergens, and loud noises
• Occasional travel (0 to 10%)
• Position Location: Indianapolis, IN