Medicinal Chemist (R5 - R7)

Job ID: R-107955Company: LillyLocation: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of AmericaJob Type: Full TimeCategory: Research & DevelopmentPosted Date: 2026-06-29At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us. Eli Lilly and Company seeks a Medicinal Chemist (R5-R7) to formulate hypotheses, and design and synthesize novel small molecules. Optimize lead compounds to improve potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties, and ADMET to meet the target product profiles required to invent high-quality medicines. Collaborate with external CRO chemistry resources to implement design ideas and optimize chemistry productivity. Direct fast-paced SAR iterations through proposal and execution of synthetic routines. Maintain a strong safety culture. Partner cross-functionality to address specific program needs, increase overall organization, and provide Medicinal Chemistry perspectives. #LI-DNIPosition requires a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related chemistry discipline, and 4 years of academic or employment experience with synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry. In the alternative, employer will accept a PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related chemistry discipline, and 1 year of academic or employment experience with synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry. Academic or employment experience must include a minimum of: 1 year of experience supporting drug discovery at the molecular design stage; 1 year of experience with improving in vitro and in vivo potency, selectivity, and ADMET properties; and 1 year of experience with new modalities including targeted protein degradations, siRNA, ADCs, and oral peptides. Up to 10% domestic and/or international travel required. #LI-DNIJob location: Indianapolis, IN.To apply, please visit and enter job requisition number R-107955 when prompted. Alternatively, please send your resume, cover letter, and a copy of the ad to: Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Drop Code 1093, Indianapolis, IN 46285.Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form () for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (View email address on click.appcast.io), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is$100,526.00 - $163,440.00 per yearFull-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.#WeAreLillySkillssynthetic organic chemistrymedicinal chemistrydrug discoveryin vitro potency improvementin vivo potency improvementadmet optimizationtargeted protein degradationssirnaadcsoral peptidesfast-paced sar iterationchemistry productivity optimizationsafety culture maintenanceproposal developmentexternal cro collaborationcross-functional partnershipstakeholder management