Director - Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Job ID: R-111262Company: LillyLocation: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of AmericaJob Type: Full TimeCategory: Research & DevelopmentPosted Date: 2026-09-01At 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. Director - Oligonucleotide ChemistryAt 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 49,000 employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We're looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.Lilly is passionate about the discovery, development and commercialization of potential new medicines that will impact and improve the lives of patients. Lilly Genetic Medicines is an innovation-focused organization striving to identify, develop and apply the most cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum benefit to our patients. Our agile and diverse team strives to operate as an autonomous ‘biotech-like’ company within the walls of Lilly.The Lilly Genetic Medicines (LGM) organization is looking for a collaborative, creative, and energetic problem solver to join a multidisciplinary team at the front edge of innovation. They will join our fast-paced, interdisciplinary team as we utilize novel RNA/oligonucleotide based therapeutic modalities to enhance the Lilly portfolio. The successful applicant will utilize their knowledge and technical expertise to lead a team and accelerate the core capabilities of large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis of internal RNAi-based clinical candidates. Are you skilled in large-scale oligonucleotide synthesis and interested in leading a team at the interface of RNAi discovery and development for impactful patient therapies? We want you on our team!Responsibilities:Lead the Lilly Genetic Medicines discovery oligosynthesis scale-up team to accelerate Lilly RNAi Therapeutics from pre-clinical to clinical developmentUtilize comprehensive expertise in oligonucleotide synthesis methodologies to support Lilly Genetic Medicines and further develop internal capabilities and team growth through effective coaching, mentorship, and leadershipCollaborate with members of the RNAi discovery chemistry teams to validate and execute requirements for oligonucleotide synthesis from 150umol to 6mmol scales including communication of relevant information and results to project leads and/or cross functional organizations within Lilly to ensure seamless operation of the scale-up teamLead at the interface with our CMC and Development teams to provide essential material planning for key studies as projects move from discovery to development and effectively communicate technical insights to the development team to appropriately resource efforts either within our organization or outside based on capacity and capability constraintsDemonstrate expertise in modern synthetic organic and nucleic acid chemistry, striving to improve methods, develop new technologies, and address synthetic oligonucleotide challenges across a diverse portfolio of oligonucleotide modalitiesCommunicate regularly with LGM leadership and cross-functional partners to address resource or timeline gaps for material generation and ensure on-time delivery of portfolio critical materialOversee and prioritize the work of LGM scale-up team members to most efficiently meet critical timelinesValue diverse perspectives and experiences for effective solutions. Motivate team members to take initiative, own outcomes, and share expertise on complex technical challengesGuide teams through unclear situations, adapt efficiently to changes, and evaluate and implement effective approaches to completing tasksLead the innovation for the LGM scale-up team in oligonucleotide synthesis through integration of new instrumentation, capabilities, workflows and/or methodologyForecast, plan, organize and manage annual CAPEX budget for use on purchase of new and life-cycle replacement instrumentation to ensure uninterrupted operation and continuous improvement of the scale-up laboratoryBasic Qualifications:PhD degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a relevant scientific discipline with 5+ years of experience (oligonucleotide synthesis experience, solid phase synthesis preferred)Preferred Qualifications:Experience in supervising a team of scientists to evaluate, refine and execute synthetic routes, technologies, and practices to deliver LGM portfolioExperience in coaching/mentoring scientists in their technical and leadership developmentExperience in troubleshooting and optimizing synthetic protocols on oligonucleotide automated solid-phase synthesis instrumentsExperience with downstream processing of oligonucleotides including use of chromatographic purification and process TFF systemsStrong organic chemistry expertise with excellent track record of problem-solving synthetic challenges, preferred expertise in oligonucleotide and nucleotide/nucleoside design, synthesis and purification. Expertise in conjugation strategies for tissue selective delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics is preferredStrong laboratory skills and experience with analytical instrumentation such as AKTA, Agilent LC-MS and UPLC, Vanquish LTQ, Water’s QDA, etcExperience in developing new chromatographic methods (IEX/RP-HPLC, SPE, LC-MS).Experience in conjugation of novel ligands, including small molecules, peptides, and proteins to oligonucleotides at 5-25g scaleAbility to function within a highly interdisciplinary environmentExcellent written and oral communication skills, good organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and lead a team to deliver on tight deadlines Confident, execution-focused, and team oriented with a desire to thrive in a fast-paced growing environment is a plus.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$153,000 - $264,000Full-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.#WeAreLillySkillsoligonucleotide synthesissolid phase synthesisrnai discoveryoligonucleotide purificationdownstream processinganalytical instrumentationorganic chemistrychromatographic methodsteam leadershipprocess tff systemstroubleshooting synthetic protocolsmentoring scientistscoaching scientistsmaterial planningcapex budgetingprocess optimizationorganic and nucleic acid chemistryconjugation strategiessmall molecule conjugationpeptide conjugationprotein conjugationiex/rp-hplcspelc-msuplcaktaagilent lc-msvanquish ltqwater’s qdaorganic and nucleotide design