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Computational Chemistry Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Emphasizes building chemical intuition alongside computational skills and connects chemistry to everyday phenomena and environmental science. * Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar ...

Emphasizes building chemical intuition alongside computational skills and connects chemistry to everyday phenomena and environmental science. * Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar ...

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Computational Chemistry information

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How much do computational chemistry jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for computational chemistry in Indiana is $21.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Computational Chemistry vs Chemist?

AspectComputational ChemistryChemist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldOften requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry or related discipline
Work EnvironmentPrimarily research labs, computer-based work, and simulationsLaboratories, industrial settings, or fieldwork
Industry UsageUsed in pharmaceuticals, materials science, and academia for modeling and simulationsInvolved in experimental research, product development, and quality control

Computational Chemists focus on computer-based modeling and simulations to understand chemical phenomena, while Chemists often perform hands-on experiments and laboratory work. Both roles are essential in advancing chemical research but differ mainly in their methods and work environments.

Do computational chemists make good money?

Computational chemists typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions often start around $60,000 to $80,000 annually, with experienced professionals earning over $100,000, especially in research or industry roles that require advanced skills in programming and modeling tools.

What are some common challenges faced by computational chemists when collaborating with experimental teams?

Computational chemists often work closely with experimental chemists to design and interpret experiments, but one common challenge is ensuring clear communication about the limitations and accuracy of computational models. Translating complex simulation data into actionable insights for experimental teams can require extra effort, especially when addressing differences in terminology or expectations about timelines and results. Successful collaboration typically involves regular meetings, shared documentation, and a willingness to iterate on both computational predictions and experimental approaches.

Do I need a PhD to be a computational chemist?

A PhD is typically required for advanced roles in computational chemistry, especially those involving independent research or leadership. However, entry-level positions may be available to candidates with a master's degree or relevant experience in programming, chemistry, or related fields. Strong skills in computational tools and programming languages can also be valuable for career advancement.

Is computational chemistry a good career?

Computational chemistry is a growing field that involves using computer simulations and modeling to study chemical systems, often requiring skills in programming and chemistry. It offers opportunities in academia, industry, and research institutions, with a demand for expertise in software tools and data analysis. Job prospects depend on education level, experience, and specialization areas within the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a computational chemist?

To thrive as a Computational Chemist, you need a solid background in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in chemistry or a related field. Proficiency in quantum chemistry software (such as Gaussian or VASP), programming languages (like Python or Fortran), and experience with high-performance computing systems are essential. Strong problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and effective communication help you collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and convey complex findings. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing accurate simulations, interpreting data, and contributing valuable insights to research and development projects.

What is computational chemistry?

Computational chemistry is a branch of chemistry that uses computer simulation and mathematical models to study the structures, properties, and reactions of molecules. It allows scientists to predict the behavior of chemical systems by solving quantum mechanical and classical equations. This field plays a critical role in drug discovery, materials science, and understanding complex molecular interactions, often saving time and resources compared to experimental methods. Computational chemists use specialized software and high-performance computing to carry out their analyses and simulations.

What is computational chemistry?

Computational chemistry is a subdiscipline of chemistry, and it involves using computer simulation methods to analyze chemical compounds, molecules, and other problems in chemistry. Computational chemistry is necessary for solving complex problems in chemistry that do not have analytical solutions and require the use of powerful computing. Computational chemistry has many applications, and it is very common in pharmaceutical production and research where physicists, chemists, and other clinical researchers need to predict the properties of particular chemical reactions.

What can you do with a computational chemistry degree?

A computational chemistry degree prepares individuals for roles such as research scientist, drug developer, or materials scientist, where they use computer simulations and modeling to study chemical systems. Skills in programming, data analysis, and software tools like Gaussian or VMD are often essential for these positions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Computational Chemistry jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Computational Chemistry jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Computational Chemistry jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Computational Chemistry job openings:

Infographic showing various Computational Chemistry job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,050 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scientist, Biophysics

Eli Lilly and Company

Indianapolis, IN

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Eli Lilly and Company rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

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:

For 150 years, scientists at Lilly have worked diligently to develop medicines that make life better for patients. These discoveries start in the Lilly Research Laboratories, where our scientists solve complex problems to develop new medicines that will help solve our world's greatest health challenges. We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Biophysical Chemist to join a cross-functional team in Indianapolis, IN to support our small molecule Early Molecule Discovery (EMD). Our team integrates biophysical and structural methods with computational approaches (i.e. quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, free energy calculations, and AI/ML) to accelerate the identification and advancement of molecules to develop medicines.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will join an interactive, collaborative, and innovative cross-functional team to develop and apply integrative biophysical and computational methods that accelerate the discovery of new medicines.

  • Execute biophysical and biomolecular NMR experiments to explore biomolecular energy landscapes and conformations.
  • Integrate experimental data with advanced quantum mechanical calculations, molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations to study protein motion, protein-ligand interactions, and protein-protein interactions in support of structure-based drug design.
  • Develop and implement novel AI and neural networks for analyzing experimental and molecular dynamics simulations into integrated structural models.
  • Script and automate workflows across computational software platforms to maximize throughput and reproducibility of molecular calculations.
  • Stay current with emerging methods in computational drug discovery, including AI and machine learning models for ligand binding and model building.
  • Maintain critical timelines and communicate progress clearly through oral and written presentations at internal and external team meetings.
  • Collaborate with discovery scientists to advance portfolio molecules from leads to quality drug candidates.

Basic Requirements:

  • Ph.D. in Biophysical Chemistry, Biophysics, Computational Chemistry, or a related field.
  • Strong foundation in biomolecular NMR with expertise in protein structure and dynamics.
  • Demonstrated experience integrating experimental data with molecular dynamics.
  • 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.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

  • Experience in generative AI, especially building and training neural networks (CNN, GNN, etc.)
  • Experience with molecular dynamics simulations, quantum mechanical or free energy calculation methods applied to protein-ligand systems
  • Proficiency in Python and/or other scientific scripting and programming languages
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment
  • Experience working on an HPC or Cloud computing environment
  • Experience integrating structural biology data (cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR or AI-predicted structures) with computational models
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Additional Information:

  • This is an onsite position based in Indianapolis, Indiana
  • This position is not permanent. It is a fixed-term position up to 2 years.

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

$58,000 - $123,200

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.

#WeAreLilly


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About Eli Lilly

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Eli Lilly, based in Indianapolis, IN, US, is one of the pioneers in the pharmaceutical industry with a rich history dating back to 1876. This global pharmaceutical company focuses on discovering, developing, manufacturing and selling pharmaceutical products in approximately 120 countries. The company's product categories include endocrinology, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and immunology. Having invested over $9 billion in research and development in the past decade, Eli Lilly is also committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs. As a recipient of several awards and recognitions, Eli Lilly is known for its focus on life-saving research and drug development. Their mission is to make medicines that help people live longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Indianapolis, IN, US

Year founded

1876