Scientific Lead, Discovery Oncology

At 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. 

Job title: Scientific Lead

Location: Lilly Oncology, South San Francisco, CA, USA

About Lilly Oncology:

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 Summary:

We are seeking an outstanding scientist with a proven track record of scientific accomplishment to join our dynamic discovery oncology team in South San Francisco. You will support lab-based research projects aimed at identifying and validating novel druggable targets across small molecules and biologic platforms, with a focus on understanding cancer-relevant signal transduction pathways.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on expertise studying signal transduction mechanisms in cancer cells, a demonstrated ability to drive projects forward independently, and strong evidence of scientific excellence through publications or prior contributions to drug discovery. You will thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where innovation and scientific rigor drive success. This role offers significant career growth potential within a world-leading pharmaceutical organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and generate diverse mammalian cell models for target validation studies

• Design and establish novel cellular assays to validate targets and support hit-to-lead progression

• Execute and optimize high-throughput screening assays to support compound evaluation

• Troubleshoot experimental challenges systematically and iteratively improve assay performance

• Investigate cancer-relevant signal transduction pathways and protein interactions to support target validation

• Apply multi-omics approaches (proteomics, genomics, transcriptomics) to decipher mechanisms of action and identify pharmacodynamic biomarkers

• Analyze, interpret, and communicate complex scientific data to cross-functional teams

• Generate data-driven insights to support go/no-go decision-making on projects

• Learn and implement new techniques and technologies to advance ongoing discoveries

• Actively contribute to team discussions and propose experimental strategies

• Collaborate effectively across functional groups (chemistry, bioinformatics, translational research) to accelerate project progression

• Maintain excellent scientific documentation and organize data for regulatory compliance

Required Qualifications and Background:

• Ph.D. in biology, cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related discipline, with 5+ years of hands-on lab-based experience

• Strong background in cancer biology with hands-on experience studying signal transduction pathways, protein interactions, or cancer cell biology mechanisms

• Proven track record of scientific excellence through peer-reviewed publications, successful project outcomes, or contributions to drug discovery/target validation efforts

• Hands-on experience designing, executing, and interpreting proof-of-concept experiments and early-stage projects to validate scientific hypotheses

• Expertise in routine molecular and cellular biology techniques

• Proficiency with cell culture, cell-based assays, and data analysis

• Excellent collaborative and interpersonal skills to work with cross-functional teams and independently drive projects forward

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated with strong documentation skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects effectively

• Outstanding communication, writing, and presentation skills are a must

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong background in cancer biology with hands-on experience studying signal transduction pathways, protein interactions, or cancer cell biology mechanisms

• Proven track record of scientific excellence through peer-reviewed publications, successful project outcomes, or contributions to drug discovery/target validation efforts

• Hands-on experience designing, executing, and interpreting proof-of-concept experiments and early-stage projects to validate scientific hypotheses

• Expertise in routine molecular and cellular biology techniques

• Proficiency with cell culture, cell-based assays, and data analysis

• Excellent collaborative and interpersonal skills to work with cross-functional teams and independently drive projects forward

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated with strong documentation skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects effectively

• Outstanding communication, writing, and presentation skills are a must

• Experience with gene editing technologies (CRISPR, TALEN, or similar)

• High-throughput or high-content screening capability

• Familiarity with multi-omics data analysis or bioinformatics tools

• Experience in target validation or early drug discovery

• Exposure to oncology biology or cancer cell models

• Experience in antibody generation, characterization, or development

• Familiarity with working on small molecule and/or biologic drug development projects

• Strong presentation skills and experience communicating with senior stakeholders

Physical Demands:

The physical demands of this job are consistent with working in a laboratory/ bench environment. Some light lifting and maneuvering may be required.

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 in a laboratory/bench environment.

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 each role and responsibility 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.

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 (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), 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

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.

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