Associate Biologist - Automated Protein Expression

Job ID: R-110358Company: LillyLocation: San Diego, California, United States of AmericaJob Type: Full TimeCategory: Research & DevelopmentPosted Date: 2026-08-27At 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. 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 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.Position:The Biologics Automation and High-throughput Technologies Group at the Lilly Biotechnology Center in San Diego is seeking a versatile Associate Scientist to accelerate early drug discovery through innovative protein expression and purification technologies. Join our dynamic team where you'll leverage state-of-the-art automated systems to drive breakthrough therapeutics from concept to reality.In this role, you will be at the forefront of high-throughput biologics production, directly impacting the speed and success of our drug discovery pipeline.Key Objectives/Deliverables:Mammalian cell line maintenance, including culture expansion, harvesting, and cryopreservationMaster complex integrated liquid handling platforms to execute high-throughput transfections and plate-based purifications (protein A/G/HIS capture)Ensure scientific rigor through reagent preparation and validation, meticulous process documentation, QC execution, and expression performance monitoringServe as a technical liaison between automation teams, requestors, and collaborators to optimize biological outcomes and resolve process challengesDrive improvement by identifying workflow bottlenecks, implementing innovative solutions, and expanding platform capabilities through independent initiative and collaborative partnershipsPartner with antibody discovery, protein engineering, and purification teams across sites to share insights, accelerate learning, and anticipate evolving business needsBasic QualificationsBachelor's Degree in biological sciences (biology, molecular biology, biochemistry or similar disciplines)Experience in tissue culture (aseptic technique) requiredAdditional Skills/Preferences:Technical Excellence:Understanding of protein expression and purification techniques preferredHands-on experience with automation equipment (e.g., BioMek liquid handlers, reagent dispensers) advantageousExperience with integrated liquid handling platforms and/or laboratory automation scheduling software not required but beneficialDemonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)Programming skills, experience leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and scientific workflows, and robust statistical background highly valuedStrong data analysis capabilities with meticulous attention to detailProfessional Attributes:Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with ability to translate complex technical conceptsProven ability to excel both independently and within collaborative team environmentsDemonstrated learning agility and adaptability in fast-paced settingsStrong organizational and work planning capabilitiesWhy This Role MattersThis position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of biology and automation, where your contributions will directly accelerate the discovery of life-changing medicines. You'll have access to industry-leading technology, collaborate with world-class scientists, and develop expertise that will define the future of automated drug discovery.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$71,250 - $161,700Full-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.#WeAreLillySkillsmammalian cell line maintenancetissue cultureliquid handling platformshigh-throughput transfectionsplate-based purificationsreagent preparationqc executionexpression performance monitoringautomation equipmentbiomek liquid handlersreagent dispenserslaboratory automation scheduling softwareprogrammingdata analysisstatistical analysisscientific communicationcollaborationworkflow optimizationprocess improvementtechnical liaison