Summary

Lilly’s Biotechnology Discovery Research (BioTDR) organization has a track record for delivering novel biotherapeutic medicines to advance into clinical research in key areas of unmet medical need across a variety of therapeutic areas. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Molecular and Cellular Biologist to join our research team. This role is part of a dedicated pandemic preparedness team within BioTDR, working in close partnership with Lilly's Infectious Disease organization and external partners to create and develop capabilities to enable future pandemic preparedness. The successful candidate will build and own the functional assay infrastructure that enables rapid antibody screening and characterization — including pseudovirus neutralization platforms and cell-based entry assays, with initial focus on Filoviruses such Ebola. The position is located at the Lilly BioTechnology Center in San Diego, CA.

Job description

Position Summary

Lilly’s Biotechnology Discovery Research (BioTDR) organization has a track record for delivering novel biotherapeutic medicines to advance into clinical research in key areas of unmet medical need across a variety of therapeutic areas. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Molecular and Cellular Biologist to join our research team. This role is part of a dedicated pandemic preparedness team within BioTDR, working in close partnership with Lilly's Infectious Disease organization and external partners to create and develop capabilities to enable future pandemic preparedness. The successful candidate will build and own the functional assay infrastructure that enables rapid antibody screening and characterization — including pseudovirus neutralization platforms and cell-based entry assays, with initial focus on Filoviruses such Ebola. The position is located at the Lilly BioTechnology Center in San Diego, CA.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities will be the design and implementation of capabilities to enable antibody discovery targeting infectious agents, including the creation of reagents, cell lines, and viral/pseudoviral stocks to be used for functional assessment of antibodies, and will include the following activities:

Designing and establishing pseudovirus neutralization assays that are appropriately reflective of viral entry mechanisms of targeted pathogens, including the development of high-throughput, quantitative approaches for antiviral screening
Antiviral antibody characterization including Fc-effector function screening, cell-to-cell spread assays (where appropriate), and antibody escape mapping.
Collaborating with external collaborators and CROs to design high containment in vitro and in vivo studies
Embrace and celebrate diversity by using a relevant and unique background and set of experiences to provide new ideas to deliver innovative solutions drugging novel targets.

Basic Qualifications

Ph.D. in Virology, molecular biology, cellular biology, or related field, plus a minimum of 2 years post-graduate experience (post-doctoral or industry), in virology and antiviral discovery
Experience in preforming and optimizing live-viral and psuedotyped virus neutralization assays (in BSL2 or higher containment settings), including constructing, expanding, and titrating virus stocks.

Additional Skills And Preferences

Strong core proficiency in all aspects of molecular and cellular biology, including molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and recombinant cell line generation.
Working knowledge of filovirus biology, especially Ebola GP-mediated entry - enabling rapid contribution to the initial Ebola focus of the pandemic preparedness program
Familiarity with cell biological approaches to characterize other mechanistic determinants of viral infectivity beyond cell entry such as Fc-effector function
Experience in the functional characterization and escape mapping of modalities that target infectious agents
Strong communication (oral and written), organizational, and leadership skills are expected as evidenced by a robust publication record
Prior experience in the discovery and characterization of antibodies, discovered either via traditional approaches, or from patient-derived sources
Demonstrated experience preforming in vitro and/or in vivo studies in high-containment settings (BSL-2+/BSL-3/BSL-4). Ability to work productively and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment, particularly with BioTDR’s broader antibody discovery scientists, and including prior experience in technology transfer to other partner organizations
Ability to prioritize multiple activities and thrive in a setting that requires quick movement between scientific challenges and comfort with ambiguity.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Virology, molecular biology, cellular biology, or related field
Minimum of 2 years post-graduate experience (post-doctoral or industry) in virology and antiviral discovery
Experience in performing and optimizing live-viral and pseudotyped virus neutralization assays (in BSL2 or higher containment settings), including constructing, expanding, and titrating virus stocks
Strong core proficiency in all aspects of molecular and cellular biology, including molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and recombinant cell line generation
Working knowledge of filovirus biology, especially Ebola GP-mediated entry
Familiarity with cell biological approaches to characterize other mechanistic determinants of viral infectivity beyond cell entry such as Fc-effector function
Experience in the functional characterization and escape mapping of modalities that target infectious agents
Strong communication (oral and written), organizational, and leadership skills
Prior experience in the discovery and characterization of antibodies
Demonstrated experience performing in vitro and/or in vivo studies in high-containment settings (BSL-2+/BSL-3/BSL-4)
Ability to work productively and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team environment
Prior experience in technology transfer to other partner organizations
Ability to prioritize multiple activities and thrive in a setting that requires quick movement between scientific challenges and comfort with ambiguity

Benefits

Company Bonus
401(k)
Pension
Vacation Benefits
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Prescription Drug Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Death Benefits
Leave Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Fitness Benefits
Employee Clubs and Activities

Company overview

Eli Lilly and Company, commonly known as Lilly, is a leading American multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, the company has grown into one of the world's most valuable pharmaceutical enterprises, with operations in approximately 125 countries. Lilly specializes in developing and manufacturing innovative medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including diabetes, oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and cardiometabolic diseases. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking work in insulin production, having been the first to mass-produce insulin and later developing the first commercially available insulin product in the U.S. Lilly's current portfolio includes blockbuster medications such as Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) for diabetes and obesity, Trulicity (dulaglutide) for type 2 diabetes, Verzenio (abemaciclib) for breast cancer, and Taltz (ixekizumab) for autoimmune conditions. With approximately 47,000 employees worldwide, Lilly maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing heavily in scientific innovation to address some of the world's most significant health challenges. The company operates with a mission to make life better for people around the world through the discovery and delivery of innovative medicines.