1

Small Molecule Drug Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Join a purpose-built, agile small molecule manufacturing site where your work will help bring ... Support inspection readiness and the development of complete, accurate, and traceable documentation.

New

Showing results 41-60

Small Molecule Drug Development information

See salary details

$18

$37

$76

How much do small molecule drug development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for small molecule drug development in the United States is $37.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.96 and $54.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is small molecule drug development?

Small molecule drug development is the process of discovering, designing, and bringing to market pharmaceutical compounds that have low molecular weight and can easily enter cells to affect biological processes. These drugs are typically administered orally and are used to treat a wide range of diseases. The development process involves several stages, including target identification, compound screening, preclinical testing, and clinical trials before regulatory approval. Small molecule drugs are distinct from biologics, which are larger and more complex molecules like proteins or antibodies.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in small molecule drug development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in small molecule drug development often face challenges such as balancing tight project timelines with rigorous regulatory requirements and managing cross-disciplinary collaboration between chemistry, biology, and clinical teams. Navigating unexpected results in preclinical or clinical studies can also require rapid problem-solving and adaptation. Building strong communication skills and staying updated on the latest regulatory guidelines and scientific advances can help address these challenges. Working closely with team members from diverse backgrounds fosters innovative solutions and keeps projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Small Molecule Drug Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Small Molecule Drug Development, you need a strong background in chemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology, typically supported by an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. or M.S. in a related field. Proficiency with laboratory techniques, analytical instrumentation (like HPLC and mass spectrometry), and drug discovery software is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, collaboration, and project management abilities help professionals excel in multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are critical for efficiently advancing compounds through the drug discovery pipeline and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
More about Small Molecule Drug Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Small Molecule Drug Development jobs? Cities with the most Small Molecule Drug Development job openings:
What states have the most Small Molecule Drug Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Small Molecule Drug Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Small Molecule Drug Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Small Molecule Drug Development jobs are:
Infographic showing various Small Molecule Drug Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $78,216 per year, or $37.6 per hour.
Scientist Chemical Hazards Lab Synthetic Molecule Design and Development

Scientist Chemical Hazards Lab Synthetic Molecule Design and Development

Eli Lilly and Company

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 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

8th of 74 rated pharmaceutical


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.

Lilly's Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) is involved in key activities for the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated drug products from pre-clinical phases through commercialization of drug substances and drug products for small molecules, synthetic oligonucleotides, and synthetic peptides. Our scientists develop key technical and business solutions across the portfolio using their deep technical expertise to speed up testing of the clinical hypothesis and overall drug development. SMDD tackles this diversity of responsibilities by recognizing that an even greater diversity of talents and cultures is necessary to deliver the next generation of life changing medicines to patients.


The Chemical Hazards Lab (CHL) within the Process Design and Development division of Synthetic Molecule Design and Development (SMDD) at Eli Lilly and Company provides thermal and dust hazard analyses for products and processes using rigorous experimental design and execution in conjunction with established methods for assessing thermal stability. The majority of the CHLs activity is related to small molecule development assets, although consultation and services are also provided to other Lilly Divisions (e.g., Manufacturing, pilot-plants, kilo-labs, Biologics R&D, Discovery Chemistry, and External Manufacturing).

The CHL workflow includes internal experimental activities (calorimetry, SADT Determination, flash point determination, Fall hammer tests), oversight of outsourced thermal testing activities (Dust explosivity, Vent Sizing, UN explosivity), and collaborating with SMDD scientists to design, develop, and execute inherently safe processes with Lilly Manufacturing or in our third party supplier network.

Job Requirements
Process Safety Design, Development, Testing and Consulting

  • Help ensure that people and their environment are safe and that company policies concerning safety are followed.
  • Understand and comply with corporate, divisional, and departmental procedures, including good manufacturing practices, safety, and other applicable regulations, and participate in the establishment and maintenance of PRD Quality systems.
  • Develop or review plans and timetables for project work. Updates and communicates progress, and proposes changes in project timetables, objectives, or direction.
  • Set up, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate and adjust the process safety testing equipment to ensure they are kept at optimal conditions to perform, or work with outside vendors to do the same. This will include, but not limited to, RC1 and EasyMax for reaction calorimetry, as well as DSC and ARC for screening.
  • Manage outsourcing of specialized safety testing as needed (e.g. dust hazard testing)
  • Document scientific procedures and results in laboratory notebooks, or other designated forms and author, review or approve scientific reports.
  • Prepare reports summarizing safety testing data and recommendations.
  • Execute projects in a timely manner, with attention to detail and follow through.
  • Evaluate potential new equipment and techniques.
  • Develop technical proficiency, think independently, exercise sound judgment that corresponds with experience, and adheres to safe work practices.
  • Pursue a career path with an emphasis on continuous learning and growth in new scientific fields and/or improving level of competency in field of expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

  • BS/MS in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related engineering/scientific field.
  • 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

  • Strong technical skills to solve problems to supply value and to impact business area and/or function.
  • Experience in synthetic molecule drug substance process development tools including HPLC, GC, IR.
  • Experience with evaluating process safety including risks of thermal decomposition, gas generation, vent sizing, static/conductivity, or dust explosivity; industrial hygiene risk assessments.
  • Basic knowledge of dust explosivity (Kst and Pmax) tests/test methods applicable to commercial scale process safety analysis and shipping practices. Knowledge and experience for data interpretation and analysis of experimental results as applied to process safety assessments.
  • Experience with commercial manufacturing scale process design and impact on safe operating conditions.
  • Experience in health and safety in manufacturing
  • Demonstrated leadership capabilities especially in a team environment.
  • Good interpersonal skills and demonstrate collaborative abilities (internally and externally). Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated success in persuasion, influence, and negotiation skills to support decision making along with mentoring skills
  • Good interpersonal skills and demonstrate collaborative abilities (internally and externally).
  • Passion for chemical process safety or safety in general

Additional Information:

Location: Indianapolis, IN LTC-N

Travel: less than 10%

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

$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.

#WeAreLilly


What Eli Lilly and Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Eli Lilly logo

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