Postdoctoral Scientist - Drug Delivery Experimental Fluid Dynamics

Position Overview

We are seeking an ambitious post-doctoral scientist with strong research and communication skills to contribute to highly visible research projects. Experimental fluid dynamics (EFD) in drug delivery uses physical measurements, flow visualizations, and benchtop models to analyze how fluids and therapeutic particles transport, mix, and deposit inside biological systems or testing devices.

The Postdoctoral Scientist - Drug Delivery Experimental Fluid Dynamics sits at the intersection of pulmonary and nasal tissue physiology, inhaled formulation science, and experimental fluid dynamics, supporting the advancement of next-generation inhalation therapies. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to characterize device performance through hands-on benchtop and physiologically representative experimental models, using computational tools to complement and extend those experimental findings — contributing directly to formulation design decisions and preclinical-to-clinical translation strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute in vitro aerosol characterization experiments using experimental fluid dynamics techniques — physical measurements, flow visualization, and benchtop models — on pulmonary and nasal device platforms, assessing droplet size distribution (laser diffraction, cascade impaction), delivered dose, and delivery efficiency.
• Apply working knowledge of pulmonary and nasal tissue physiology (airway and mucosal anatomy, mucus rheology, and regional structures relevant to deposition and clearance) to design physiologically representative benchtop and ex vivo experimental models, accounting for anatomical variability and its effects on precision and targeting.
• Apply and interpret existing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or physiologically based pharmacokinetic/deposition (PBPK/PBPD) models — including uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis — to complement experimental data and predict regional aerosol deposition and IVIVC linkages (MMAD, FPF, delivered dose to in vivo or PK/PD endpoints) across patient-representative airway geometries.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists, device engineers, and translational scientists to integrate experimental and physiological findings into formulation optimization, design space definition, and actionable insights.
• Communicate findings through internal technical reports, cross-functional presentations, and peer-reviewed publications, and participate in structured mentorship and professional development programming within Lilly’s postdoctoral research community.

Basic Qualifications

• Earned Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Physiology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerosol Science, or a closely related field, conferred within the past 3 years.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in experimental fluid dynamics — physical measurements, flow visualization, and benchtop or physiologically representative models of fluid and particle transport
• Experience designing and executing hands-on experiments and applying characterization techniques (e.g., next-generation impactor [NGI], laser diffraction, DUSA)
• Working knowledge of tissue physiology and anatomy (ideally airway/mucosal structure, mucus properties, and regional anatomy relevant to aerosol deposition and clearance) and ability to apply literature research toward experiment design
• Strong publication record commensurate with career stage
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrix-based environment.
• 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 Preferences

• Familiarity with computational modeling of aerosol transport and/or deposition (e.g., CFD using ANSYS Fluent/OpenFOAM, or lung deposition models such as MPPD) sufficient to evaluate and apply existing modeling frameworks alongside experimental work.
• Experience with realistic or idealized airway geometry models (e.g., Weibel, stochastic, or CT-derived anatomical models).
• Prior industry internship or academic–industry collaborative research experience.
• Self-directed and highly motivated individual who wants to learn new techniques while continually pursuing research and publication goals.
• Excellent communicator (oral and written) with presentation experience and a strong publication record; proficient in data analysis and reporting.

Additional Information

This is a fixed-term role for one year, extendable up to four years, with eligibility to apply for full-time positions upon completion. Position Location: Boston, MA. Travel Percentage (%): 10