Research Advisor - Technical Services/Manufacturing Sciences

at  Lilly

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.
Research Advisor - Technical Services/Manufacturing Sciences
The Research Advisor TS/MS- will provide technical stewardship across the new Lilly Limerick Next Generation Bioprocessing facility. The successful candidate will be an expert in all aspects of the mammalian cell drug substance manufacturing platform. This role will have accountability for up- and downstream processing and requires experience and a deep knowledge of cell culture, contamination control and purification and filtration processes. The successful applicant will have experience with regulatory guidance and a familiarity with relevant strategies. They will have a strong skillset in data-driven decision-making and problem-solving capabilities, working continuously to drive process performance by implementing new technologies and process improvements. They will maximize the benefits of a digital plant to gain in depth knowledge of the process through data analytics and process analytical technology. This role is for a cross-functional technical leader and is expected to set the standards for scientific curiosity and technical rigor for the site.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

PhD or MSc in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering or related discipline with relevant experience (>12 years’ experience within the biopharmaceutical industry)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide mentorship and scientific expertise to TS/MS bioprocess and laboratory scientists for process monitoring, trending, and analyzing production data. Apply process knowledge and data analysis skills to support the management of daily manufacturing operations. Drive solutions to complex situations with impact across the site and functions.
• Understands, and performs all job responsibilities in compliance with safety and regulatory expectations and brings experience and knowledge of cGMP requirements to the role.
• Represent the site technically across the broader manufacturing network including other drug substance sites, drug product sites, global functions and process research and development. Reviews and approves annual product review and global product assessment.
• Partners with site leadership to ensure technical agendas are developed, implemented and managed compliant with all regulatory expectations and in alignment with business needs.
• Mentor scientists, engineers and operations staff and supports troubleshooting. Anticipates and resolves key technical or operational problems with impact across all functions. Communicates issues in a timely manner. May lead complex process-related investigations and assess technical impact.
• Closely partner with the quality assurance and quality control functions to provide technical oversite of the control strategy and ensure manufacturing process remain in a state of compliance.
• Authors technical reports supporting process control strategies, technology transfers, process validation, deviation/adverse event reporting, process monitoring/analyses and technical studies.
• Own or assist in the implementation of large process-related change controls with greater risk, resource and financial requirements or complexity.
• Supports development of strategy for regulatory submissions and the creation of related documentation.
• Excellence in technical writing and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate and transfer knowledge to all levels of the organization.
• Works with scientists and engineers to ensure successful process knowledge transfer to the manufacturing staff on the production floor and assists in process-related training of manufacturing staff.
• Support the PAT and data science programs to ensure alignment between program execution, process scientists and control strategies.
• As required, designs laboratory experiments in support of process troubleshooting and/or continuous improvement and executes or coordinates execution in outside laboratories. Helps to define and implement medium to large continuous improvements to manufacturing processes.
• Works with Manufacturing to support the start-up and validation of the new facilities, process equipment and products during technology transfer. Helps to define, implement and own control strategies for new products.

ATTRIBUTES FOR THE ROLE

• Demonstrated technical acumen and high productivity
• Strong proclivity for technical leadership, teaching and mentoring
• Proven track record of curiosity and learning agility
• Self-starter with high initiative and data-driven approach to problem-solving
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility to working in fast pace, dynamic manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and facilitate decision-making