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Advisor - Lab Automation Scientist

Lilly
Lilly
2-13 years
$138,000 – $224,400
10 Jan. 8, 2026
Job Description
Job Type: Full Time Education: B.Sc/M.Sc/M.Pharma/B.Pharma/Life Sciences Skills: Causality Assessment, Clinical SAS Programming, Communication Skills, CPC Certified, GCP guidelines, ICD-10 CM Codes, CPT-Codes, HCPCS Codes, ICD-10 CM, CPT, HCPCS Coding, ICH guidelines, ICSR Case Processing, Interpersonal Skill, Labelling Assessment, MedDRA Coding, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Medical Terminology, Narrative Writing, Research & Development, Technical Skill, Triage of ICSRs, WHO DD Coding

Job Title: Advisor – Lab Automation Scientist
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Category: Research & Development / Lab Automation / Biotherapeutics
Job Type: Full-Time, Regular
Job ID: R-96640

Company Overview:
Lilly is a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, committed to discovering and delivering life-changing medicines. Our multidisciplinary teams advance drug discovery, translational science, and patient care while contributing to communities worldwide through philanthropy and volunteerism.

Role Overview:
Join Lilly’s Biologics Automation and High-Throughput Technologies Group in San Diego to revolutionize early-stage discovery and screening of protein therapeutics. The Advisor – Lab Automation Scientist will design, optimize, and implement AI-driven, autonomous laboratory workflows that integrate advanced automation equipment with real-time data analysis, accelerating biotherapeutics research and discovery.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lab Automation & Equipment Management:

  • Maintain and optimize lab automation equipment including liquid handlers, micro-dispensers, plate readers/washers, protein quantification instruments, colony/picking systems, sequencing instruments, and integrated robotic workstations.

  • Collaborate with automation engineers on equipment installation, qualification, and operational software updates.

  • Design and implement improvements to lab automation workflows, integrating novel technologies and autonomous systems.

2. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

  • Partner with protein discovery, engineering, and expression teams to optimize research efficiency through automation.

  • Work with external vendors and internal teams to validate and implement advanced automation technologies.

  • Provide technical training and guidance to laboratory staff on automation equipment and integrated systems.

3. Process Development & Optimization:

  • Design, validate, and continuously optimize automation-driven workflows for complex biological discovery.

  • Develop operational scripts and scheduling systems for fully integrated robotic workstations.

  • Ensure high-quality record-keeping, data analysis, and project prioritization across multiple automation initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline with 2+ years of industry experience post-Ph.D., or

  • M.S. with 10+ years, or B.S. with 13+ years of relevant automation experience in a laboratory setting.

  • Hands-on experience with advanced lab automation equipment and integrated robotic workstations.

Preferred Skills & Competencies:

  • Expertise in liquid handlers (Beckman, Hamilton, HighRes, Lynx), micro-dispensers (BioTek, Thermo, Formulatrix), plate readers/washers, high-throughput antibody quantification, and colony picking (QPix).

  • Experience with automation scheduling software: SAMI, Green Button Go, Cellario, Director, Retisoft Genera, or Agilent VWorks.

  • Programming experience in Python, Java, C#, Visual Basic, or SQL.

  • Familiarity with statistical analysis (JMP, SAS, R) and BI tools (Tableau, Power BI, Spotfire).

  • Experience with lab data platforms such as Benchling, LabGuru, PostgreSQL, Genedata, or similar LIMS/ELN systems.

  • Proven ability to supervise and mentor lab automation engineers.

  • Excellent organizational, collaboration, and communication skills.

Compensation & Benefits:

  • Salary range: $138,000 – $224,400 depending on experience and education.

  • Eligible for company bonus based on performance.

  • Comprehensive benefits including 401(k), pension, medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, paid leave, and wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion:
Lilly is an EEO employer and supports individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the workforce. We ensure equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or other legally protected status.