Postdoctoral Scientist – Gene Therapy Biodistribution & Molecular Biology (CNS) Full-time

Postdoctoral Scientist

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.

Eli Lilly and Company is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join the Drug Delivery and Connected Systems (DDCS) organization, with a primary focus on CNS gene therapy biodistribution and molecular bioanalysis. This role will support the optimization and translational advancement of gene therapy platforms, both viral and non-viral, for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in biodistribution assay development, molecular biology, and quantitative bioanalysis and will work at the interface of in vivo CNS pharmacology, vector biology, and translational science. This position offers hands-on involvement in preclinical CNS gene therapy programs, collaboration with internal cross-functional teams, and scientific oversight of external CRO-led studies.

This postdoctoral role offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to cutting-edge CNS gene therapy programs within a leading pharmaceutical research organization. The position provides high-impact scientific exposure, cross-functional collaboration, and skill development at the intersection of gene therapy biology, biodistribution science, and translational CNS drug delivery. There will be opportunity to publish in peer reviewed journals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, optimization, and execution of biodistribution assays to assess AAVs, LNPs, siRNA distribution, transgene expression, and persistence across CNS and peripheral tissues.
• In depth knowledge of vector biology, and AAV serotype-specific biodistribution knowledge (eg: AAV9, AAVrh10, PHP.eB) is a must— CNS tropism and off-target profiles are serotype-dependent and fundamental to interpreting results.
• Apply a broad toolkit of molecular and bioanalytical techniques, including: PCR-based approaches (PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, stem-loop PCR, vg/dg dose quantification) for vector genome and transcript quantification; ELISA and immunoassays for protein expression and biomarker analysis; LC–MS–based quantitative bioanalysis where applicable; Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and tissue-based spatial analyses to enable regional CNS characterization; Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods to support vector tracking, expression profiling, or integration-related analyses
• Ensure assays are fit-for-purpose, sensitive, reproducible, and aligned with translational gene therapy objectives.
• Off-target analysis and DRG toxicology assay development.

• Independently design and execute CNS gene therapy–focused biodistribution studies, applying sound experimental design and Design of Experiments (DoE/DOR) principles.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex technical challenges related to vector detection, tissue processing, assay performance, or data variability.
• Maintain meticulous experimental documentation, ensuring clear traceability, data integrity, and compliance with DDCS best practices.

• Apply strong foundational knowledge of CNS biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry to interpret biodistribution and expression data in a therapeutic context.
• Integrate biodistribution results with an understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) to inform dose selection, delivery route optimization, and therapeutic index assessment for viral and non-viral gene therapies.
• Contribute to translational strategy discussions by linking molecular readouts to functional, anatomical, and disease-relevant endpoints.

• Independently interface with external CROs to design, execute, and oversee in vivo gene therapy biodistribution studies, including work in higher vertebrate CNS models.
• Provide scientific oversight for tissue collection, sample processing, and downstream molecular analyses conducted internally or externally.
• Ensure CRO outputs meet DDCS scientific standards, timelines, and data-quality expectations.

• Apply best practices for managing and analyzing large, multi-dimensional biodistribution datasets generated from CNS gene therapy studies.
• Perform statistical analysis and generate clear, insightful data visualizations to support project teams and decision-making forums.
• Communicate findings effectively through presentations, written summaries, and collaborative scientific discussions.
• Actively contribute as a proactive, team-oriented scientist within a highly collaborative DDCS research environment.

Basic Requirements:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, or a closely related life sciences discipline.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in AAV biodistribution analysis and/or molecular bioanalytical assay development.
• Strong hands-on expertise in PCR/qPCR/ddPCR, ELISA, IHC, NGS, and/or related molecular biology techniques.
• Solid understanding of CNS gene therapy delivery, molecular mechanisms of transgene expression, and/or tissue-specific biology.
• Proven ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot technically challenging assays, and maintain rigorous scientific documentation.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and able to thrive in a collaborative, team-based research environment.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Additional Preferences:

• Knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as applied to gene therapy biodistribution and expression.
• Spatial transcriptomics / RNAscope as a preferred qualification for CNS transgene expression mapping.
• Direct experience working with CNS tissues and CNS-relevant animal models for gene therapy research.
• Experience integrating biodistribution data with imaging, functional, or efficacy readouts.
• Experience collaborating with CROs and supporting in vivo gene therapy studies.
• Familiarity with FDA (2020) long-term follow-up guidance and EMA biodistribution reflection papers as preferred qualifications. Knowledge of current FDA guidance on intrathecal/systemic AAV safety signals.

Other Information:

• This is a fixed-term role for one-year, extendable up to four years, with eligibility to apply for full-time positions upon completion.
• This position is based out of the Boston, MA Lilly location, and requires daily, on-site presence and lab work.

About Eli Lilly's Postdoctoral Scientist Program:

When it comes to research and development, our goal is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that make life better for people around the world. It's challenging, expensive and often filled with failure. But even when we fail, we advance medical science and understanding by learning more about diseases, biology and chemistry – ultimately bringing new solutions one step closer to reality.

Over the course of our history, we have shed light on some of the toughest health care problems known to man – diabetes, heart disease, infectious diseases, neuroscience disorders, cancer and more. We could not pursue this without our research and development team.

Postdoctoral scientists help us continue this pursuit. During your experience you will get:

• Top industry research experience
• Mentoring by some of Lilly's top scientists
• Laboratory and classroom training and education to further your development
• Collaboration and networking across dozens of postdoctoral scientists and other researchers

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 (ER