Sr Advisor / Scientific Director - Chemistry – Fragment Hit Elaboration

Lilly Small Molecule Discovery is an organization purpose-built to create molecules that make life better for people. We focus on using cutting edge science to unlock new approaches that can treat people suffering from diseases with poor treatment options. We continually challenge ourselves to deliver molecules that can provide breakthrough efficacy with the highest possible safety margins. We are dedicated to optimizing our mindset, technology, and processes for faster, more nimble execution. Our success is built on a culture that empowers innovative problem solving through open collaboration and individual accountability.  

Discovery Technology and Platforms is a newly established function within this organization. Its mission is to accelerate molecule discovery by building highly optimized foundational platforms, streamlining lab operations through advanced technologies and data connectivity, and intentionally investing in novel technologies and capabilities. 

About the Novel Platforms Team  

The Novel Platforms team identifies and develops transformative technologies to improve hit finding, mechanism of action exploration, and molecular design. Through agile, hypothesis-driven research, we turn high-potential ideas into mature, robust platforms embedded across Lilly’s discovery organization.  

About the Role  

Lilly Small Molecule Discovery is seeking a Chemist to join our Novel Platforms Fragment-based Discovery team. This is a hands-on, lab-based role with no direct reports. This role is focused on developing internal capabilities in the area of fragment-based ligand design (FBLD).  

We are looking for a Chemist with strong expertise in developing fragment hits into pre-lead candidates.  In this role you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop workflows and methods to deliver a robust platform for FBLD enabling innovative therapeutic discovery.  

Key Responsibilities  

• Lead strategy and execution for early-stage medicinal chemistry from fragment hit identification to pre-lead candidate nomination. 

• Triage and extract key pharmacophoric and structural insights from early biophysics and fragment screening data. 

• Coordinate with internal and external chemistry resources to prioritize and ensure timely delivery of the chemical matter. 

• Partner with chemistry, biophysics, structural biology and AI/ML teams to coordinate the progression of our fragment hits, to portfolio candidates, across several protein targets. 

Required Qualifications  

• BS, MS, or PhD in chemistry with a focus on synthetic organic chemistry. 

• Experience in small molecule drug discovery in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting and a B.S. with 10+ years’ experience, M.S. with 8+ years’ experience or Ph.D. with 5+ years’ experience. 

• Demonstrated success in FBLD taking low affinity fragment hits (mM) to at least pre-lead candidate molecules (nM) and ideally beyond e.g. IND, market. 

• Proficiency with molecular modeling, MD, FEP, AI-assisted design, and cheminformatics. 

• Proven ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot challenges, and effectively collaborate in a fast-paced environment.  

Additional Preferences:  

• Proficiency with molecular modeling, MD, FEP, AI-assisted design, and cheminformatics. 

• Proven ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot challenges, and effectively collaborate in a fast-paced environment.  

• Excellent communication, documentation, and scientific presentation skills.  

• Passion for platform development, continuous optimization, and operational excellence with a strong emphasis on data quality and reproducibility.  

• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving research environment.  

• Experience in lead compound optimization for potency, selectivity, ADME and PK.    

Additional Information:  

Physical Demands/Travel:  

• The physical demands of this job are consistent with a laboratory environment.    

• This position will require travel.  

• The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

Work Environment:  

• This position’s work environment is a laboratory.    

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  

• *To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the role and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.