Postdoctoral Scientist – Discovery Oncology

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: July 11, 2025

Job Description:

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. Overview: At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, and more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support 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. Position Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious post-doctoral scientist to join our research team within Discovery Oncology. Under the guidance of experienced researchers, the selected candidate will employ advanced genetic and experimental methodologies to design and conduct both in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at validating oncology targets. The post-doctoral scientist will spearhead projects focused on deepening our understanding of specific cellular states within tumor microenvironments, including the interactions between tumor-stromal and tumor-immune components. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with various teams possessing extensive expertise across scientific disciplines, including discovery biology, translational medicine, and computational biology. The applicant will also benefit from access to our state-of-the-art research institute, equipped with advanced biomedical technologies. Scientific insights derived from this research are expected to be published in high-impact journals and will present opportunities for significant application in inter-/intra-departmental project development. Responsibilities: In this role, you will Conduct experimental studies to elucidate the mechanisms of oncology targets using both in vitro and in vivo tools. Investigate the downstream signaling pathways through biochemical and cellular assays, and analyze tissue microenvironment to uncover host-tumor interactions. Develop strategies for managing animal colonies relevant to the project and design/conduct in vivo studies. Lead the experimental direction of projects in collaboration with wet- and dry-lab colleagues to advance project goals. Disseminate research findings through internal presentations, national and international conferences, and high-quality peer-reviewed scientific publications. Basic Requirements : Ph.D. in biology, cancer, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences or related discipline (The degree must be conferred by the commencement date). Ability to identify and exploit new scientific concepts, employ strong problem-solving skills, and be self-motivated and adaptable. Solid knowledge and practical experience in both cell cultures and animal models. Experience with animal models such as genetically engineered, xenograft, or allograft systems. Excellent communication skills and collaborative and collegial mindset. Additional Preferences: Candidates who possess the following skills could be well-suited for this role: Exhibit technical rigor, curiosity, and creativity in both in vitro and in vivo biology. Demonstrate experience in the design and application of CRISPR, viral vectors, and other genetic tools for innovative target discovery in cellular or animal models. Design and execute cellular, tissue and molecular assessments for tumor cell death, drug-resistance, and host-tumor interactions. Possess a solid knowledge of tumor or stem cell biology, including autocrine/paracrine signaling pathways and cell-cell interactions within the tissue microenvironment. Additional Information: The appointed candidate will be primarily based in South San Francisco, California. This position is part of Lilly’s post-doctoral training program, which provides an exceptional environment and the opportunity for professional growth through learning, collaboration, networking, and mentorship from Lilly’s leading scientists, aimed at facilitating groundbreaking discoveries. This position is not permanent. It is for a fixed duration of two years with the potential to extend to a maximum of 4 years. You will have opportunities to apply for full-time positions after your duration is complete. Physical Demands/Travel: The physical demands of this job are consistent with a lab environment. The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Work Environment: This position’s work environment is in a laboratory. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. *To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the role and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 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 ( 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 Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $58,000 - $100,320 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. WeAreLilly

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