Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership (m/f/d)

Elanco; Monheim am Rhein; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Elanco Tiergesundheit AG in Monheim am Rhein seeks a Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership to architect the future of animal health. You will lead cross-functional teams to identify and validate targets using multi-omics and in vitro/in vivo data, driving programs from concept to candidate.

The role requires a PhD with 4+ years industrial R&D and strong leadership, communication, and AI/ML skills. Travel up to 15% and a fast-paced, growth-driven environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Parasitology, or related field.
• At least 4 years of industrial R&D and project leadership experience.
• Proven track record in target identification and validation in Animal Health/Pharma.

Responsibilities

• Lead identification and validation of novel targets using multi-omics and models.
• Drive discovery programs from concept to candidate selection with milestones.
• Lead international, cross-functional teams to move candidates into development.
• Oversee complex data (in vitro/in vivo) to guide decisions.
• Collaborate with academia and CROs to achieve goals.

Skills

R&D leadership

Target identification

Cross-functional leadership

AI/ML know-how

In silico modelling

Data interpretation

Communication

Education

PhD in Biology/Parasitology

Industrial R&D experience

Tools

AI/ML tools

In silico modelling

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!Your Role: Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project LeadershipAs a Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership on our Discovery Parasiticides team, you will architect the future of animal health by playing a pivotal role in the early research phase. You will spearhead the identification of next-generation molecular hits against endo- and ectoparasites. In this role, you will lead the discovery and interpretation of critical in vitro and in vivo data, championing the selection process for New Molecular Entities (NME) and ensuring a robust pipeline for both Pet Health and Farm Animals.Your Responsibilities:Lead research activities to identify and validate novel targets using multi-omics (transcriptomics, proteomics) and functional models for small/large molecules and vaccines.Drive discovery programs from concept to candidate selection, ensuring scientific rigor and meeting timeline milestones for next-generation parasiticides.Lead multi-functional, international teams to influence selection and transition candidates seamlessly into the development pipeline.Oversee the generation and interpretation of complex biological datasets (in vitro/in vivo) to guide high-stakes decision-making.Manage a strategic network with academic institutions and contract research organizations in close collaboration with the External Innovation Team to achieve research goals.What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):Education: PhD in Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Parasitology, or a related scientific field.Experience: A minimum of 4 years of industrial R&D experience in a project leadership capacity.Skills: Proven track record in target identification and validation within Animal Health or Pharma; demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional teams without direct authority.What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):Solid understanding of AI/ML and in silico modelling to accelerate discovery.Deep knowledge of parasite biology and modern screening methodologies.Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and translate complex data for diverse stakeholders.High resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.Additional Information:Location & Work Model: MonheimTravel: Up to 15% annually.Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected statusElanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.