Scientific Director - High Throughput Screening - Early Molecule Discovery

Company: Society for Conservation Biology
Location: Indianapolis
Posted on: May 20, 2025

Job Description:

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees worldwide work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those in need, improve understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We dedicate ourselves to our work and prioritize people. We seek individuals committed to improving lives globally.
About Lilly Small Molecule Discovery
The Lilly Small Molecule Discovery group is dedicated to creating molecules that improve lives. We leverage cutting-edge science to develop new treatments for diseases with limited options. Our goal is to deliver molecules with breakthrough efficacy and high safety margins, continuously optimizing our methods for faster, more agile execution. Our culture fosters innovative problem solving through open collaboration and individual accountability.
Position Summary
The newly formed Early Molecule Discovery team at Lilly focuses on small molecule hit-to-lead development using both traditional and innovative mechanisms and technologies on early pre-portfolio targets. We are seeking an experienced drug hunter to lead our High Throughput Screening (HTS) efforts within the Ligand ID group. The candidate will lead a dynamic team aimed at identifying and advancing small molecule drugs, implementing forward-thinking screening methods to expand Lilly's early target portfolio. Responsibilities include designing, developing, optimizing, and validating molecular and cellular HTS campaigns, including the application of HT-MS solutions. The Director will collaborate closely with the Early Molecule Discovery and Discovery Technologies teams to develop novel assays for challenging targets. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience delivering high-quality screening results under tight deadlines across multiple target areas, with a strong commitment to data accuracy, quality assurance, and collaboration.
Responsibilities

• Lead research activities hands-on, including experimental design and advanced analysis.
  
• Manage global HTS assay automation capabilities, resources, and personnel to support various screening techniques and technologies.
  
• Develop, optimize, and validate custom automation protocols for biochemical, molecular, and cell-based assays, including mass spectrometry-based readouts (HT-MS).
  
• Evaluate new screening platforms and automation innovations collaboratively with internal teams.
  
• Train and support scientists in HTS assay development, SOPs, and automation integration.
  
• Establish protocols and ensure performance validation of lab equipment and automation.
  
• Maintain proper documentation and archiving of data and analyses.
  
• Communicate results through written and oral presentations.
  
• Discuss operational processes with technical and non-technical personnel.
  
• Maintain good relationships with third-party vendors on new developments and products.
  
• Engage with internal and external teams to identify, elaborate, and characterize early lead molecules across projects and mechanisms.
  
  Basic Requirements
  

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• PhD with at least 7+ years of academic, research, or industry experience (may include post-doc); or BS with 13+ years; or MS with 10+ years.
  
• Extensive hands-on experience with in vitro and in vivo high throughput assay development and validation.
  
• Proven leadership of teams of experts.
  
• Ability to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and dedication.
  
  Additional Preferences
  
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  • Experience in drug discovery.
    
  • Experience with mass spectrometry-based solutions and automation.
    
  • Collaborative experience across disciplines to meet project goals.
    
  • Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
    
  • Ability to work independently and within teams.
    
  • Continuous learner.
    
  • Highly organized with excellent analytical and multitasking skills.
    
  • Team-oriented with a focus on collective success.
    
  • Self-accountable for timely delivery of leads.
    
  • Self-driven, hardworking, data-dependent decision maker.
    
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Keywords: Society for Conservation Biology, Fairfield , Scientific Director - High Throughput Screening - Early Molecule Discovery, Executive , Indianapolis, Ohio