2027-2028 VSF job descriptions
2027-2028 VSF job descriptions
The Clinical Development functional area works cross-functionally, planning clinical programs through the use of rich data sources, targeted innovation and expertise in functional trial delivery. The Project Management functional area leads cross-functional teams in the creation of medicines.
Positions available within the Clinical Development and Project Management functional area include:
Portfolio and Project Management
The Portfolio and Project Management (PPM) team provides proactive cross-functional leadership for drug development, translating and executing strategy to deliver medicines to patients. PPM serves as the central hub of the drug development core team, connecting Clinical, Chemistry Manufacturing & Controls (CMC), Toxicology, Regulatory, Marketing and other functions.
Sample projects:
- Serve as the central integration point for the drug development core team.
- Shape strategy and execution by helping define project timelines, scope, budget and risk to enable senior leader decision-making.
- Develop project management skills to help deliver a project in Lilly’s portfolio on time, on budget and in scope.
Clinical Central Services and Innovation
The Clinical Central Services and Innovation (CCSI) organization plans and delivers clinical trial supplies, trial support services and innovative capabilities that drive trial execution globally across all business units and phases of development. Clinical development solutions enabled by this group include central pharmacy services, alternative site and distribution models, virtual trial orchestration, telemedicine and novel patient recruitment and retention strategies. CCSI’s mission is to expand clinical research awareness, accessibility and reach while reducing the burden on patients and investigators.
Sample projects:
- Influence trial design and lead cross-functional teams through the implementation of community-based screening and delivery solutions.
- Support the development and piloting of novel delivery solutions for clinical research while providing input on clinical protocols, informed consent, regulatory filings, site training and budgets.
- Evaluate global regulatory and vendor landscapes to inform the strategic expansion of community-based research capabilities.
Clinical Development Trial Leader
Two positions are available
The Clinical Development Trial Leader (CDTL) leads the cross-functional study team in developing and executing clinical trials and is accountable for delivering trials on time and on budget in accordance with the protocol. The CDTL fellow leverages scientific and clinical trial expertise to guide the team toward milestones and gains hands-on exposure to trial leadership across the drug development lifecycle.
Sample projects:
- Learn how functions that work alongside the CDTL, including data management, medical writing, regulatory and statistics, contribute to trial delivery.
- Collaborate with the study team to deliver milestones and gain hands-on trial experience.
- Create and manage trial timelines and budgets.
Global Scientific Communications
Global Scientific Communications (GSC) makes Lilly research meaningful for external audiences by creating original scientific content for regulators and the scientific community, leading submission packages and developing disclosure strategies that include peer-reviewed publications. This content enables the submission, approval and launch of Lilly medicines.
Sample projects:
- Learn about product lifecycles and how communication strategies support drug development, from protocols to publications.
- Collaborate cross-functionally on regulatory documents, publications and transparency disclosures.
- Understand GSC procedures and best practices while participating in improvement workstreams.
Clinical Capabilities: Patient Engagement
The Patient Engagement group within Clinical Design, Delivery, and Analytics (CDDA) develops innovative strategies to reach representative populations and accelerate global trial enrollment. Work spans planning and optimizing trial design and delivery, leveraging global and targeted innovative capabilities.
Sample projects:
- Improve study designs and feasibility in partnership with asset and clinical capability teams through exposure to Lilly’s therapeutic areas and clinical development process.
- Provide input on strategic trial decisions, including site allocation, recruitment and retention.
- Connect asset teams with innovative clinical capabilities to strengthen trial feasibility and enhance the patient experience.
Clinical Diagnostic and Laboratory Sciences
The Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) is a College of American Pathologists-accredited laboratory that supports diagnostic and translational biomarker testing across Lilly’s clinical development programs. Scientists lead work from novel assay development through validation and execution of laboratory-developed tests and in vitro diagnostics. The laboratory specializes in generating and reporting data that enables critical portfolio decisions.
Sample projects:
- Gain exposure to therapeutic areas and clinical development through partnerships with CDL scientists and the Clinical Capabilities organization.
- Evaluate new technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches, for clinical biomarkers.
- Lead a fit-for-purpose translational research project and support strategic initiatives prioritized by CDL.
Medical Development Clinical Research Scientist: Cardiovascular
The Clinical Research Scientist (CRS) supports Phase 3 cardiovascular trials through protocol writing, clinical data review, medical monitoring and safety oversight, providing a direct view of how high-quality data informs regulatory decisions and patient care. This role suits candidates who are new to medical development and want to build expertise in overseeing clinical trials through a clinical lens. Fellows collaborate with Data Management, Clinical Operations, Biostatistics, Pharmacovigilance and external contract research organizations (CROs) or academic research organizations (AROs).
Sample projects:
- Review ongoing trial data for accuracy, consistency and clinical plausibility to identify trends, inconsistencies and potential safety signals.
- Support medical monitoring, safety review, data cleaning and reconciliation while maintaining study FAQ documents.
- Build an understanding of endpoints, adjudication and outcomes-driven cardiovascular trials, and gain experience drafting protocols and clinical sections of regulatory documents.
The Commercial functional area merges clinical skills with business acumen and economics. These roles require vision and execution of best-in-class methodologies for the rapidly changing customer landscape.
Positions available within the Commercial functional area include:
Market Access: New Product Planning
The Market Access, Insights and New Product Planning team, part of Lilly Value and Access, works to understand payer needs and influence pipeline medicine development to help optimize patient access and value across the U.S., Japan, China and major European markets. The team also provides pricing and access forecast recommendations for internal and external opportunities to support key business decisions. Fellows apply clinical expertise to commercial work across multiple therapeutic areas.
Sample projects:
- Participate in secondary analyses, market research and advisory boards to understand payer needs, and develop reports summarizing key implications.
- Understand pricing and market access approaches in key markets and apply this knowledge to strategic projects.
- Support a later-phase medicine project during the final two months of the fellowship.
Lilly Value and Access (LVA): Business Development
The LVA Business Development team drives deal development, governance approvals and contracting efforts to secure Lilly’s market access across various segments. The team plays a critical role in addressing access and affordability barriers to improve lives through Lilly medicines and create a seamless consumer experience. The team embodies collaboration, strategic thinking and readiness to adopt change and technology for better outcomes. Fellows build knowledge of payer customers and the U.S. health care ecosystem to help ensure appropriate formulary access to Lilly’s product portfolio.
Sample projects:
- Work with the Contract Development and Deal Development teams on new and evolving pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), group purchasing organization (GPO) and Medicaid opportunities.
- Participate in strategic business governance and market evaluation.
- Support and eventually lead contract, deal and financial strategies for Lilly products.
US Commercial Strategy: Oncology
The US Oncology Commercial team plays a critical role in preparing for multiple upcoming product launches through developing strategy and execution plans for key pipeline products. The team will focus on understanding the diverse needs of stakeholders across the US oncology ecosystem to enable patients to have a successful start with our medicines post-launch. Fellows apply clinical expertise to shape commercial strategy for pipeline oncology products.
Sample projects:
- Collaborate cross-functionally and connect with innovative digital capabilities to enhance the customer experience and contribute to advanced patient care in the oncology ecosystem.
- Analyze health care provider, office and patient needs to inform the customer experience strategy for pipeline assets.
- Explore oncology ecosystem trends, including artificial intelligence and other tools, and engage third parties to help patients start and remain on their prescribed medicines.
Global Brand Marketing: Gynecologic Oncology
The Gynecologic Oncology Global Brand Team is preparing for a potential first launch in recurrent ovarian cancer with its sofetabart mipitecan asset, with additional new indications and line extensions (NILEX) opportunities being evaluated for other solid tumors. This represents an opportunity to help establish a new standard of care for patients who have limited options after prior lines of therapy. Fellows contribute to meaningful strategic projects while developing business, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills. This role is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of science, strategy and commercial innovation in oncology.
Sample projects:
- Provide strategic and scientific support, as well as market research insights, to the gynecologic oncology brand team.
- Deliver customer and market insights for the brand launch strategy and new indication and line extension integration.
- Build market understanding of potential new indications and provide launch readiness support.
Global Pricing, Reimbursement, and Access (PRA): Immunology
Getting a medicine approved is only part of the challenge; ensuring patients can access and afford it is equally critical. This team helps ensure Lilly’s immunology medicines are accessible to patients by monitoring evolving global pricing policies that are increasingly reshaping how medicines are priced and accessed. The team develops global access strategies across markets and works at the intersection of science and business strategy. Fellows gain exposure to both U.S. and international payer systems.
Sample projects:
- Understand both U.S. and international payer systems, including coverage and reimbursement decisions.
- Contribute to a project series on how government pricing policy affects the immunology access landscape.
- Analyze formulary positioning and coverage dynamics and collaborate cross-functionally on access strategies for new indications.
The Health Outcomes fellows support the development and launch of important new medicines through cross-functional collaboration and real-world evidence generation. The purpose of the health outcomes teams is to accelerate equitable patient access and transform healthcare delivery through the execution and communication of bold, high-impact science.
Positions available within the Health Outcomes functional area include:
Health Outcomes and Medical Engagement Team (HOME)
Two positions are available
HOME, a medical function in the Lilly Value and Access organization, supports Outcome Liaison (OL) product launch planning and serves as the Population-Based Decision Maker (PBDM) customer voice to amplify real-world evidence generation, dissemination, collaborations and process improvement across therapeutic areas. The HOME Therapeutic Health Outcomes Liaison (HOL) team leads strategic therapeutic-area engagement for the broader HOME team through cross-functional integration to advance value-based initiatives across all Lilly therapeutic areas and products.
Sample projects:
- Help optimize research generation through collaboration across Medical Affairs, Commercial and Public Policy on solutions that address customer needs.
- Develop and implement value-based agreements (VBAs) while gaining exposure to direct customer interactions and the development of customer responses.
- Lead education for HOLs on key concepts for customer conversations and assist in developing and implementing new capabilities and resources for HOLs.
Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) Cardiometabolic Health
HEOR generates and communicates evidence demonstrating the value of Lilly medicines to payers, health technology assessment (HTA) bodies, and other decision-makers. The team leads real-world evidence strategy, health economic modeling, and evidence gap assessments, supporting product launch planning and lifecycle management. Fellows partner closely with Medical Affairs, Market Access and Clinical Development.
Sample projects:
- Collaborate cross-functionally to understand how HEOR informs decision-making and product strategy.
- Build skills in real-world data analysis, evidence synthesis and health economic concepts.
- Gain broad exposure to how outcomes research supports the full product lifecycle, from early development through commercialization.
Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) Central Capabilities
HEOR Central Capabilities is responsible for the enterprise capabilities that support health economics and outcomes research across Lilly. The organization includes four teams: HEOR Strategic Capabilities, which develops methods and frameworks for evidence generation; Real-World Data, which curates and analyzes real-world data assets; Integrated Evidence Generation and HEOR Tools, which develops tools that turn HEOR insights into decisions for brand, medical and access teams; and HEOR Central Operations, which establishes standards, procedures and governance. Fellows collaborate across these teams to gain broad HEOR exposure.
Sample projects:
- Work on projects across three HEOR Central teams, gaining hands-on experience in HEOR methods, real-world data analytics and decision-support tools.
- Lead an applied evidence-generation project from study design through execution.
- Build a cross-functional network with the broader scientific community, including Medical Affairs, Market Access and external HEOR groups.
The Medical Affairs functional area supports the launch of new medicines through cross-functional collaboration and evidence generation.
Positions available within the Medical Affairs functional area include:
Global/US Medical Affairs Clinical Research Scientist: Cardiometabolic Health
This role supports the medical affairs strategy for marketed cardiometabolic products, collaborating with business partners, field medical, and marketing. The fellow is integrated as a fully contributing team member, helping prepare for launch execution and lifecycle management. Fellows build skills in scientific communication and cross-functional collaboration.
Sample projects:
- Develop scientific content for external thought leader interactions, including advisory boards and scientific conferences.
- Provide medical expertise on disease state, product and external environment for scientific and brand strategies.
- Review medical and promotional materials and support data disclosure plans.
Global Medical Affairs Clinical Research Scientist - Disease State & Standards: Cardiometabolic Health
This role ensures scientific information on Lilly's cardiometabolic portfolio is accurate, balanced and clinically meaningful. Working as a full team member, the fellow helps translate complex clinical evidence into educational and reference materials, support scientific reviews, and build the standards that keep that content trustworthy. This role offers unique insight into how scientific quality is developed, reviewed and maintained in industry, preparing the fellow for a wide range of future careers in Medical Affairs and beyond.
Sample projects:
- Apply cardiometabolic diseases expertise to educational and reference material development for health care providers.
- Build content standards, reference resources and evidence frameworks that support scientific communication across teams.
- Help shape the future of scientific reviews through exposure to emerging artificial intelligence-enabled tools.
Medical Affairs Clinical Research Scientist: Oncology
This fellow works cross-functionally to accelerate launch readiness for new oncology products, identifying key gaps in the unmet landscape and executing the US medical affairs strategy. Partners span across clinical development, field medical, discovery, marketing and many others. The role provides broad exposure to oncology programs across multiple development phases.
Sample projects:
- Support medical affairs launch readiness plans across multiple oncology programs.
- Prepare scientific slide decks for internal and external engagements and participate in medical science liaison team meetings.
- Support medical education, advisory boards, and the delivery of scientific information through multichannel strategies.
Medical Affairs: Neuroscience
The Neuroscience Medical Affairs team bridges groundbreaking neuroscience research and the real-world application of medical advancements by engaging scientific experts/thought leaders, health care professionals, consumers and payers. The team informs customers about clinical trial portfolios, newly published data, outcomes-based information, and new indications. Fellows collaborate with seasoned professionals globally to shape medical strategies for the neuroscience portfolio.
Sample projects:
- Engage with thought leaders and HCPs through personal Medical Science Liaisons and digital channels.
- Contribute to shaping medical strategies that resonate with a broad audience, ensuring data and clinical trial findings are communicated effectively.
- Help enhance customer experience through new innovative capabilities and customer solutions.
Early Phase Medical Affairs (EPMA): Oncology
This role partners with Clinical Research Scientists (CRS) supporting Phase 1 oncology trials across hematology and solid tumors, including novel modalities such as radioligand therapies, bispecific antibodies and other potential first-in-class or best-in-class assets.
Sample projects:
- Support scientific communication, thought leader engagement, congress strategy and cross-functional collaboration with clinical development, commercial, and regulatory partners.
- Gain broad exposure to medicine development across multiple platforms.
- Receive direct mentorship from experienced medical affairs professionals and build a foundation for a career in industry medicine.
Global Medical Affairs Research, Innovation and Excellence: Immunology
This role advances external research collaborations and operational excellence across the immunology product lifecycle, connecting scientific innovation with real-world impact. The role provides exposure to global research strategy, scientific engagement, cross-functional decision-making and external partnerships. Fellows help enhance how Lilly engages investigators and brings evidence to life.
Sample projects:
- Drive the execution of external research programs across the full lifecycle of externally sponsored studies, including submission intake, feasibility evaluation, contracting coordination and portfolio tracking.
- Partner cross-functionally to enable the high-quality execution of research initiatives, supporting governance frameworks and strategic investment decision-making.
- Support process improvement and strategic external engagement initiatives.
Medical Omnichannel
This combined fellowship spans the Medical Omnichannel Capabilities and Omnichannel Education teams, enhancing health care providers’ digital experience and delivering impactful cardiometabolic health (CMH) medical education across digital platforms. Both teams partner with Medical Information, Medical Education, Scientific Communications and field-based medical professionals. Fellows help scale new digital channels and content while supporting high-priority CMH product launches.
Sample projects:
- Lead global social media and omnichannel experience projects to educate health care providers outside the U.S.
- Drive the integration of Global Social with the United Experience, a strategy designed to create a seamless, consistent omnichannel experience for health care providers across digital touchpoints.
- Explore emerging digital channels and medical education technology while testing new approaches through proof-of-concept and pilot projects.
Patient Assistance Programs
The Patient Assistance Program (PAP) team is part of the Global Medical Affairs organization. The team is responsible for stewarding Lilly’s product donations and helping patients with financial need receive their prescribed Eli Lilly and Company medications at no cost. This role builds an understanding of PAP pharmacy operations and the external health care environment.
Sample projects:
- Learn PAP pharmacy operations through working with the Lilly Cares Foundation* and cross-functional partners.
- Develop strategies for new product additions/discontinuations in the program.
- Lead external benchmarking, including healthcare reform topics, and provide expertise on the interpretation and application of new ways of PAP implementation.
*Lilly Cares Foundation, Inc. (Lilly Cares) is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides prescribed Lilly medications for free for up to 12 months to qualifying U.S. patients.
Global Medical Information
Global Medical Information (GMI) develops accurate, compliant responses to unsolicited medical inquiries from consumers, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and payers. GMI actively contributes to launch readiness through collecting/analyzing customer insights to inform content strategy, identifying knowledge gaps, and shaping the evolving medical information needs. Fellows build scientific communication skills, regulatory fluency and stakeholder engagement capabilities essential to Medical Affairs careers.
Sample projects:
- Research and respond to unsolicited medical information inquiries from health care professionals and consumers and support the development of medical information responses for a product launch.
- Develop and deliver scientifically accurate medical content across digital channels while contributing to an innovative omnichannel content strategy.
- Engage with external customers and provide medical expertise at Medical Information booths during scientific congresses.
The Regulatory Affairs functional area directly impacts pharmaceutical product labeling, policy and intelligence initiatives, as well as advertising and promotion regulatory functions. Regulatory Affairs is involved in every stage of commercialization.
Positions available within the Regulatory Affairs functional area include:
Global Regulatory Policy & Strategy (GRPS)
Global Regulatory Affairs (GRA) develops regulatory strategies to secure approvals for innovative medicines for the patients we serve. GRPS fosters regulatory policy change to accommodate innovative medicines by engaging regulators such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), as well as industry groups such as PhRMA and EFPIA. Fellows help shape Lilly’s position on key regulatory policy issues. The role builds skills in analyzing and presenting regulatory intelligence to internal partners.
Sample projects:
- Assess the impact of external global regulatory trends on regulatory strategies and Lilly's portfolio.
- Summarize, analyze, integrate, interpret and present information and intelligence to regulatory partners.
- Develop Lilly's position on key regulatory policy issues and advocate for policy change in the U.S., Europe, and other countries.
Global Medicines Quality
The Global Medicines Quality Organization (GMQO) offers unique hands-on experience in quality with drug development, supporting the product lifecycle from planning through execution. Fellows contribute to meaningful projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This role builds understanding of how quality expectations guide new medicine development.
Sample projects:
- Work with scientists, clinicians, and other partners to understand how regulations and quality expectations guide the development of new medicines.
- Support clinical research teams through applying quality and regulatory requirements through study planning and execution.
- Contribute to process improvements for regulatory reviews and help teams deliver high-quality work efficiently.
Global Regulatory Strategy
The Regulatory Strategy Scientist develops regulatory strategies, leads risk assessments, and influences development teams on the non-clinical and clinical requirements for marketing application approval. The role also shapes interaction strategies with regulatory authorities to inform development strategies to support compliance submissions. Fellows build knowledge of regulatory laws, guidance, and the approval process.
Sample projects:
- Understand key regulatory laws, regulations and guidance requirements for product approval.
- Assist in developing regulatory strategies and consult on regulatory issues and risks.
- Monitor approvals of competitive development programs.
Global Labeling
Global Labeling leads the development of labeling for drugs, drug-led combination products, device constituents and medical devices. The team develops core labeling used by Lilly affiliates around the world and supports the implementation of local labeling.
Sample projects:
- Manage product labeling within a therapeutic area with cross-functional partners.
- Lead updates to core labeling and carton and container instructions for use for products.
- Understand key regulatory requirements and guidance on drug, drug-led combination product device constituent labeling and medical device labeling.