Advisor - Lab Lead – Preclinical Imaging CMR

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.

The Cardiometabolic Research (CMR) organization at Lilly focuses on new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases with particular focus on cardio-renal disease. Starting from an idea, we work with partners across Lilly to discover and develop novel biologic, small molecule, nucleic acid-based, and gene-editing therapeutics. Our focus is the patient: by understanding the biology and pathophysiology underlying disease states, we aim to address the root cause of disease and develop breakthrough therapies. We have one of the strongest pipelines in the industry and a track record of delivering impactful medicines that improve people’s lives.

Scientific leadership and laboratory responsibilities

Lead a preclinical imaging laboratory supporting cardiovascular and renal drug discovery programs, with primary responsibility for rodent echocardiography, ultrasound-based imaging, and related in vivo cardiovascular phenotyping.  In addition, provide imaging expertise to support teams requiring MR, SPECT, PET, and CT imaging in their studies. Provide scientific and operational leadership for the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of imaging studies that assess cardiac structure, function, disease progression, and pharmacologic response in preclinical models.

Serve as a subject matter resource in rodent cardiac and vascular imaging, including image acquisition, method optimization, quantitative analysis, and interpretation of echocardiographic and ultrasound endpoints relevant to heart failure, renal disease, pulmonary hypertension, preeclampsia, and other cardiovascular indications.Generate high-quality structural and functional imaging data to support therapeutic candidate evaluation, mechanistic understanding, and translational decision-making.

Apply and continue to strengthen imaging approaches for cardiac and vascular structure and function, including ventricular and atrial dimensions, systolic and diastolic function, wall motion, and vascular hemodynamics, as well as specialized vascular and tissue imaging methods where appropriate, including high-resolution Doppler ultrasonography, atrial and ventricular strain analysis, coronary blood flow, photoacoustic imaging for optical contrast, and shear wave elastography to evaluate tissue stiffness and fibrosis.Develop and validate novel imaging methods and imaging-based delivery of therapeutics. Stay current with advances in cardiovascular imaging, preclinical ultrasound platforms, MRI and other complementary imaging tools, and translational cardiac and vascular phenotyping relevant to Lilly’s pipeline.

Maintain expertise in disease area biology, pathology, and imaging-based translational endpoints relevant to cardiometabolic disease.

Leverage digital and AI-enabled tools, where appropriate, to improve imaging workflows, data analysis, and scientific communication.

People leadership and team management

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of scientists and technical staff within the imaging laboratory.Set clear priorities, manage laboratory resources, and ensure high-quality execution across multiple studies and program needs. Establish a strong team culture grounded in scientific rigor, collaboration, and safe, effective laboratory practices. Support talent development through coaching, feedback, training, and performance management. Drive effective planning, prioritization, and coordination of imaging activities to meet timelines and project expectations.

Collaboration and broader contributions

Partner closely with scientists across biology, pharmacology, and related functions to deliver imaging data that informs project progression. Communicate imaging findings clearly and concisely to project teams, functional leadership, and cross-functional partners, including technical considerations, limitations, and recommendations. Document methods, results, and interpretations clearly in study records, presentations, and internal reports.

Work effectively with external partners, CROs, or imaging vendors, as needed, to ensure quality delivery of study outputs.

Basic Qualifications

Ph.D. in cardiovascular biology, pharmacology, physiology, biomedical engineering, molecular/cellular biology, or scientific rigor; AND / OR Masters degree with 8 + years of academic or industry experience in preclinical imaging, drug discovery, or translational biology AND / OR Bachelors degree and 10 + years with years of academic or industry experience in preclinical imaging, drug discovery, or translational biology

5 + years in rodent echocardiography and ultrasound-based imaging.

Additional Skills/Preferences

Strong knowledge of heart failure pathophysiology, cardiac function assessment, and preclinical models relevant to cardiometabolic and renal disease.

Experience leading laboratory-based scientific work and guiding the execution of complex in vivo studies.

10 years in rodent echocardiography in cardiovascular and ultrasound based imagining

Experience with additional preclinical imaging modalities or cardiovascular, vascular, and tissue phenotyping techniques preferred.

Experience contributing to target evaluation, translational strategy, or cross-functional program discussions preferred.

Program management and leadership experience in a drug discovery setting preferred but not required.

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 - $211,200

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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