Senior Principal Scientist, Discovery Biology, Team Leader

The Senior Principal Scientist, Discovery Biology, Team Leader will be responsible for leading a research team identifying the next generation of molecular targets for cancer therapeutics. The Senior Principal Scientist, Discovery Biology, Team Leader will lead the discovery and early validation of oncology targets through close collaborations with other discovery and translational functions. Experience in molecular biology, cell engineering, and biochemistry through in vitro and in vivo model systems is required. In addition, candidates should be familiar with computational and data-driven tools mining large-scale datasets. The Discovery Biology team will be part of a multi-disciplinary effort focused on high-quality, truth-seeking science to bring forward innovative cancer drug therapy.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Position

Lead cross-functional teams that will be responsible for novel target discovery and validation.
Supervise and mentor cell biologists and biochemists engaged in target identification and validation to think deeply and work creatively while delivering excellent scientific results and insights to the project teams and their colleagues.
Develop and continually advance internal drug development efforts through our discovery, clinical and research programs.
Proactively investigate new or different technologies and methods to advance our discovery projects.
Collaborate closely with leaders across Loxo Oncology at Lilly to identify, validate and advance new targets into portfolio.

Required Qualifications and Background

PhD in Molecular/Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field.
Minimum of 5-8 years postdoctoral and/or research experience with prior experience in target discovery/validation and cancer biology in the biotech or pharma setting.
Deep experience in areas of cancer biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and cancer genomics.
Outstanding communication, writing, and presentation skills is a must.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience supervising scientists.
Expertise in designing and commissioning studies using cancer cell line and patient-derived xenograft models, to test oncology compounds.
Experience with cell engineering such as knock-in and knockdown cell lines with CRISPR and/or other technologies.
Experience working with external CROs (for PDX models, target screening, etc.).
Experience with early clinical trial studies and the development and implementation of pharmacodynamic and patient selection biomarker assays.
Highly organized with excellent analytical, documentation and multi-tasking skills.
Provide strategic input to target identification and validation strategy to leadership team.
Ability to collaborate, lead, and influence others.