[Hiring] Senior Advisor, Molecular Pharmacology @Lilly

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced, collaborative, and scientifically rigorous contributor (at the Associate Director level) to provide scientific leadership for molecular pharmacology activities supporting neuroscience discovery and development programs. The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in pharmacology and apply broad scientific expertise to address questions related to compound pharmacology, receptor and target biology, signaling mechanisms, and translation across relevant experimental systems.

The ideal candidate will combine deep scientific expertise with curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to identify and implement experimental approaches that address evolving program needs. The individual will work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and with internal and external scientific partners to develop pharmacology strategies, guide experimental work, interpret complex data, and advance therapeutic programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for molecular pharmacology activities supporting neuroscience discovery and development programs.
• Develop pharmacology strategies and experimental plans to address key questions related to compound activity, receptor and target biology, signaling, mechanism of action, and translation.
• Design, guide, and interpret pharmacological studies using recombinant, endogenous, native, or other relevant experimental systems.
• Guide advanced characterization of therapeutic compounds using appropriate functional, binding, mechanistic, cellular, molecular, or translational approaches.
• Apply expertise in molecular pharmacology and receptor biology to identify scientific questions and experimental approaches that can inform program decisions.
• Integrate pharmacological and biological data across experimental systems and disciplines to develop clear scientific conclusions and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemistry, in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, translational sciences, and other scientific partners to advance program objectives.
• Establish productive scientific partnerships with internal collaborators and external research organizations; provide appropriate scientific direction while leveraging complementary expertise.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex scientific and experimental challenges.
• Mentor scientists and contribute to a collaborative environment characterized by scientific rigor, intellectual curiosity, and high-quality execution.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, methodologies, and scientific approaches and apply them where they can meaningfully advance research programs.
• Communicate scientific strategy, results, and recommendations effectively to multidisciplinary project teams and research leadership.

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmacology, Neuroscience, or a closely related scientific discipline with substantial experience in supporting drug discovery research.
• 6+ years of experience within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Strong foundation in molecular pharmacology, with expertise in one or more areas such as receptor pharmacology, GPCR biology, cellular signaling, mechanistic pharmacology, neuroscience, or related disciplines.
• Broad understanding of experimental approaches used to characterize compound pharmacology, receptor and target biology, and biological mechanisms.
• Experience developing scientific strategy and independently addressing complex experimental and drug discovery questions.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate data across experimental systems and scientific disciplines.
• Experience directing collaborative research activities involving internal and/or external scientific partners.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop scientists.
• Ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment and manage multiple scientific priorities.
• Excellent scientific judgment, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Requirements

• Intrinsically curious and deeply passionate about the work we do.
• Embrace ambiguity and push for new practices and technologies.
• Adaptive problem solver - turn issues into opportunities and translate ideas into solutions, even when the path isn’t clear.
• Leverage technical depth and a growth mindset to make impact; imagine what’s possible and pursue it with intention and energy.
• Demonstrate curiosity and drive self-identified innovation, especially in the exploration of artificial intelligence and digital.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit program 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).
• Full-time equivalent employees are also eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).