Director - DNA Encoded Library - DEL Chemistry

Location: Boston
Posted on: June 23, 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 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. The Lilly Small Molecule Discovery group 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. Position Summary: Lilly’s newly created Early Molecule Discovery team is responsible for small molecule hit to lead prosecution using traditional, and where warranted, novel mechanisms and technologies on early pre-portfolio targets. Our group is looking for a seasoned and motivated DEL chemist to join our DNA Encoded Library (DEL) platform team, who will be responsible for utilizing DEL technology to facilitate identification and characterization of binders or inhibitors for novel protein targets, often in the tough to drug space. In this position, the candidate will work closely with project teams across Lilly early drug discovery programs to design/synthesize custom focused DEL libraries, plan screening conditions, interpret and analyze selection data, plan and execute off-DNA conformation, and conduct hit to lead optimization. In parallel, the candidate will drive the evaluation and enhancement of Lilly’s DEL library collection, especially with focus on inclusion of libraries with superior lead like molecular properties and libraries for novel modalities. The candidate will also identify, establish and develop close collaboration with both internal and external partners to further evolve Lilly DEL strategy to best contribute to Lilly Early Molecule Discovery. Responsibilities: Be accountable for the design and synthesis of focused DEL libraries to support hit expansion and hit-to-lead optimization. Work in close alignment with medicinal chemistry and cheminformatics teams to design and synthesize structurally diverse fit-to-purpose DEL libraries with lead-like properties to enhance Lilly DEL hit identification capabilities. Analyze DEL selection data to identify hits with desirable binding profiles and molecular properties for target proteins of interest. Communicate project progress, screening results and future plans effectively with cross-functional stakeholders. Plan and execute off-DNA confirmation and hit-to-lead optimization in collaboration with internal or external partners with high efficiency to meet aggressive project timelines. Collaborate closely with biologists, informaticians, and biophysics teams to interpret DEL selection data, identify process gaps, and propose, evaluate and validate hypotheses to further improve DEL performance and efficiency. Establish and refine high throughput DEL compounds synthesis and activity confirmation workflows together with internal and external partners. Manage external CRO partners to ensure timely execution of DEL library synthesis and off-DNA confirmation with high quality. Contribute to multidisciplinary team discussions, offering scientific insights and solutions that advance project goals. Proactively make connections and investigate emerging technologies and methodologies in DEL and other affinity-based screening approaches to improve capabilities and impact. Basic Requirements: PhD in chemistry or related discipline with minimum of 5 years academic/research/industry exp (may include post-doc experience); MS with 7 years industry/academic/research exp Minimum of 5 years' experience developing or applying DEL technology for drug discovery in an academic or industrial setting. Additional Preferences: Proven expertise in on-DNA chemistry development, DEL library synthesis, DEL data analysis and application of DEL for hit identification and hit to lead identification. Proficient in DEL screening data visualization and interpretation with advanced data analysis tools. Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively across various disciplines to meet project goals and timelines. Established experience in developing relationship, working and managing external partners to effectively move projects forward. Ability to create, sustain and model culture of innovation, collaboration, and dedication. Excellent scientific communication, documentation, and teamwork skills. Flexibility to adjust priorities to meet organizational and scientific goals. Ability to work independently and as an integral part of a larger collaborative team. Continual learner Highly organized with excellent analytical, documentation, time management, and multi-tasking skills. Views personal success is a consequence of team’s success. Self-accountable for the timely delivery of progressable results to the larger organization. Self driven, hard working, lab first, data dependent decision maker. 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 ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) 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 Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $158,250 - $275,000 Full-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. WeAreLilly

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