Principal Scientist Sample Management Lilly Medicine Foundry

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.

Organization Overview

Lilly recently announced a   $4.5 billion   investment to create the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a new center for advanced manufacturing and drug development in Lebanon, Indiana. The first-ever facility of its kind combining research and manufacturing in   a single location , the Medicine Foundry will allow Lilly to further develop innovative solutions to   optimize   manufacturing processes and increase capacity for clinical trial medicines, while also reducing costs and environmental impact.

In the Foundry Construction and Project Delivery/Startup Phase (2025 to 2028), roles will be fluid and dynamic as we build a new organization, design and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to enable operational readiness, support project delivery, and build the site culture. Success will require significant collaboration, creativity, and resilience as the Lilly Medicine Foundry transitions from design to startup and   ultimately to   steady-state operations and continuous improvement. This period presents a unique opportunity for learning, growth, and making a lasting impact.

Position Purpose

The Principal/Senior Principal Scientist, Sample Management provides operational leadership and subject matter   expertise   for sample management within the Analytical Laboratories at the Lilly Medicine Foundry. This role   is responsible for   ensuring compliant receipt, storage, distribution, tracking, and disposition of both GMP and non-GMP samples across all modalities including small molecules, synthetic peptides, oligonucleotides, biologics, and bioconjugates. As the Lilly Medicine   Foundry     moves   through its startup and commissioning phase toward lab operationalization and steady-state operations beyond, this role plays a key part in   establishing   the foundational workflows, systems, and documentation needed to support analytical operations at scale. The role requires close cross-functional partnership with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Process Translation & Execution, and other site functions to   maintain   inspection-readiness and support testing timelines.

Key Responsibilities

Sample Management Operations

Lead day-to-day sample management operations including login, receipt, storage, tracking, distribution, and disposition of non-GMP and GMP samples in compliance with cGMP requirements and applicable SOPs.

Establish and   maintain   chain-of-custody documentation and sample integrity controls across laboratory spaces.

Manage sample storage environments including ambient, refrigerated, freezer, and controlled-humidity conditions, ensuring storage units   remain   within qualified temperature/humidity ranges to preserve sample integrity.

Implement workflows for sample lifecycle management within LIMS/ELN, ensuring   accurate   status tracking from receipt through disposition.

Coordinate shipment   logistics   for samples sent to external laboratory partners, including shipment setup and review of temperature-monitoring results to confirm samples remained within acceptable conditions during transit.

Coordinate outbound shipment of stability samples to the designated offsite stability facility on a study-driven schedule,   maintaining   chain-of-custody documentation and sample integrity throughout the transfer.

Compliance, Documentation & Systems

Author, review, and   maintain   SOPs, work instructions, and forms related to sample management operations, partnering with Quality Assurance to ensure all documentation meets GMP and regulatory compliance requirements.

Ensure activities   comply with   FDA 21 CFR Part 211, ICH guidelines, and applicable Lilly quality standards.

Support audit and   inspection   readiness and serve as a subject matter expert during regulatory and internal audits.

Manage GMP documentation within electronic quality and laboratory systems including LIMS ( LabVantage   or equivalent), ELN, and document control platforms.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives for sample management workflows and documentation efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

Partner with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Process Translation & Execution to ensure integrated sample flow and testing turnaround targets are met.

Partner with reference standard functions on sample management touchpoints including storage coordination, inventory alignment, and chain-of-custody handoffs as applicable.

Partner with Documentation & Method Readiness and Learning & Development functions to   maintain   up-to-date sample management   SOPs   are current and ensure   timely   completion of team training requirements.

Communicate effectively across functional boundaries, escalating issues   appropriately   and   maintaining   a customer-focused approach to service delivery.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's or   Master’s degree in Chemistry , Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, or a related scientific discipline

BS with   5 + years, MS with   2 + years   of experience   supporting   sample management or related laboratory operations   in a regulated environment ( GxP , GLP, GMP).

Qualified applicants must   be authorized to   work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

Experience in a GMP pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical laboratory environment or Quality Control or analytical laboratory in a lead, senior, or team coordinator capacity

Profic iency with computer systems including Microsoft Office products, LIMS, Laboratory Execution Systems, chromatography systems, electronic laboratory notebook systems

Strong organizational skills with   demonstrated   ability to manage competing priorities

Strong written and verbal communication skills with comfort engaging cross-functionally

Working knowledge of ICH guidelines and FDA 21 CFR Parts 211/212

Familiarity with temperature-controlled storage management and environmental monitoring systems

Experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA, EMA) or internal quality audits

Experience working in a startup or newly established laboratory environment

Proficiency   in electronic quality and laboratory systems such as MODA, Empower, or ELN platforms

Additional Information

Initial location at Parkwood West, Carmel, IN, with occasional work at Lilly Technology Center, Indianapolis.

Permanent location at the Lilly Medicine Foundry in Lebanon, IN.

The role may require occasional weekend or off-hours support for sample receipt or inspection activities.

Limited domestic and international travel (   required   for this role.

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

$65,250 - $169,400

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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