CMC AI/ML and Automation 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. 

At Lilly, Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) is involved in key activities for the development of synthetic drug substances and drug products starting with pre-clinical phases through commercialization. Our scientists and engineers develop innovative technical and business solutions across a portfolio of projects using their deep technical expertise to accelerate testing of the clinical hypothesis and overall drug development. Through recognizing the value of a hardworking and culturally diverse workforce, SMDD delivers on these responsibilities and helps bring the next generation of life-changing medicines to patients. Job Description

The CMC AI/ML and Automation scientist will collaborate closely with scientists in the Product R&D organization to derive value-added insights from data to answer technical and business questions. Candidates must demonstrate a history of strong technical depth, a broad base of modeling and information technology skills, scientific leadership, and a willingness to promote a collaborative, team-based approach to problem solving. Experience applying AI/ML within at least one CMC discipline — such as chemistry, formulation, engineering, or analytical sciences — is preferred.. Additionally, the AI/ML Scientist will contribute to the advancement of new capabilities by utilizing large language models (LLMs) to improve traditional data science workflows and use AI approaches and automation to enable the development of autonomous process and product development laboratories. Specifically, the candidate will have experience in the following areas:

Experience in working with different data types and source systems as well as interfacing databases to enable extracting relevant data to address business questions. Experience in statistics/artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques to be able to use the right tool for the right question. Experience utilizing large language models (LLM) to complement and enhance traditional data science workflows. Strong mathematical and coding background with ability to quickly test and screen AI approaches for a problem. Ability to merge strong technical depth with technologies in big data to stimulate new hypotheses, workplans, and solutions. Ability to communicate the results of analysis in an effective manner to stakeholders to drive action.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with scientists across Product R&D to identify and solve problems that can be effectively addressed using a combination of AI/ML and fundamental engineering/science principles
• Build decision support tools, templates, dashboards for high frequency decisions that can leverage data science approaches
• Seek out opportunities to apply advances in large language models (LLM), and evolving AI tools/methodologies to accelerate development workflows
• Contribute to capability development efforts to use AI-driven methodologies to autonomously design, plan screening and data rich experiments. Develop lab automation protocols to execute closed loop hybrid (experimental and compute) workflows
• Stay current with advancements in AI applications in CMC development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Formulation, Analytical Sciences, or related field OR MS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Formulation, Analytical Sciences, or related field with 5+ years’ experience
• Experience in programming in scripting languages such as Python and learning agility to pick up new languages and tools as needed
• Familiarity with AI frameworks and tools (e.g. TensorFlow, pyTorch)
• Experience in working with varied data types (structured and unstructured) and databases
• At least 3 years experience in applying data science/AI techniques either in research or industry
• Experience applying LLMs either in research or industry
• Willingness to work with lab scientists to develop automation solutions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to convey technical concepts to non-experts and collaborate effectively with diverse teams

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Familiarity with big data technologies (such as Azure/AWS)
• Familiarity with Agentic AI/AI workflow orchestration
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 and data platforms (e.g., PowerBI, Fabric) for building AI-augmented workflows and reporting solutions
• Experience integrating and visualizing data from diverse sources, including leveraging LLM-powered tools to accelerate insight generation and reduce manual data wrangling
• Familiarity with data models, ontologies, and controlled vocabularies; experience with CMC specific data models and ontologies is a plus
• Experience building and managing structured scientific workflows
• Familiarity in one or more of the domain areas:
• Unit operation design, process modeling, process equipment selection, data rich experiments, PAT utilization in the laboratory and production facilities, or scale-up methodologies
• Organic chemistry, chemical synthesis, and route design
• Drug product formulation platforms
• Online and offline analytical techniques and process analytical technologies (PAT)
• Experience working with lab or process automation systems such as DeltaV, Labview or other open source systems
• Familiarity with automated lab reactors/equipment

Additional Information

• Travel: 0-5%
• Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA

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

$129,000 - $209,000

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.

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