Discovery Automation Team Lead

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 35,000 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 Discovery Chemistry Research & Technology (DCRT) division of Lilly Research Laboratories support small molecule drug discovery efforts from target identification through clinical candidate selection. As part of DCRT, the Discovery Automation Research and Technologies (DART) group is comprised of specialist that enable Lilly Research Laboratories to improve and enhance its research capabilities through providing new and innovative solutions to maximize both quality and capabilities of the scientists and operations utilizing automation.

We are seeking a qualified engineer or bioscientist with extensive experience of using technology in pharmaceutical research to lead a group of automation engineers in support of Next Generation automation solutions. This role will have a significant focus on a DCRT-wide initiative to upgrade existing sample management automation systems and associated software capabilities.

The position includes the following responsibilities:

• Evaluation and development of new technologies through working closely with scientists, lab managers, engineers, software developers and additional third-party vendors to qualify technology for research capabilities.
• Management of local automation transformation initiatives that require coordination with internal teams and external automation vendors.
• Independently enable & support modification of instrumentation (hardware and software) to maximize value from current technology.
• Perform routine assistance to scientists and lab managers with equipment programming, maintenance scheduling, and equipment life cycle assessment
• Provide critical evaluation of technology footprint to enable and deliver evaluation, development and execution of new scientific processes.
• Activities include adaptation of manual processes to automated platforms, mapping existing process, implementing new technology and determining areas of improvement. Contribution to the evolution of the technologies and methodologies involved across the scientific 'design-test-evaluate' cycle.
• Independently utilize technology to set up and execute a variety of biochemical assays.
• Activities include the design, execution, analysis and reporting of in vitro biochemical and cellular experiments (multiple therapeutic target classes) which will drive optimization of automated research technology process integration.
• Work with engineering and IT teams to enable integration of systems and deliver high quality hardware and software solutions for research.
• Activities will include the evaluation of commercial software packages and the development of software macros and code to assist organization IT to enhance dataflow across research operations.

Other Skills/Preferences:

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude relevant to general laboratory equipment
• Demonstrated working knowledge of scientific principles
• Proficiency in developing customer-driven automated processes
• Ability to use new techniques, procedures and technologies for drug discovery research
• Ability to troubleshoot difficult issues and develop a solution.
• Excellent organizational, time management and communication skills
• Demonstrated examples of advanced problem solving and project coordination skills
• Experience with utilization of technology and software used in pharmaceutical research departments
• Ability to work well independently, as well as in local and global team environments.
• Experience leading a local team of automation engineers

Basic qualifications:

• BS in engineering, biomedical engineering, biomedical technologist with a minimum of 8+ years of experience in a relevant work environment working with automation equipment utilized in drug discovery.
• MS in engineering, biomedical engineering, biomedical technologist with a minimum of 5+ years of experience in a relevant work environment working with automation equipment utilized in drug discovery.
• PhD biochemist, engineer or related field with 3+ years industrial experience in automated screening processes or implementing large automation systems. Candidate must have strong computer, organizational, and communication skills.

Additional Information:

• The position may require working in an area with allergens and potentially hazardous materials (PHM). The position may involve travel to other research sites to understand and support global Discovery business.
• Travel Percentage: ~10%

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