Principal Research Scientist - Medicinal Chemist

Elanco; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns

Parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Job summary

Elanco in Indianapolis, IN seeks a Principal Research Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry to lead design and synthesis of innovative small molecules across therapeutic programs. You will guide SAR-driven campaigns and collaborate with Biology, Pharmacology, DMPK, Toxicology, and Computational Sciences.

Utilize DEL, AI/ML-enabled design, and modern drug discovery technologies, mentor junior scientists, and help advance programs toward preclinical development while contributing to IP strategy and CRO

Qualifications

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry or related field.
• 8–10 years of industry medicinal chemistry experience.
• Expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, SAR, pharmacology, and ADME/PK.

Responsibilities

• Drive design and optimization of novel small molecules guided by SAR and data from biological, pharmacological, and ADME/PK studies.
• Lead medicinal chemistry initiatives within multidisciplinary teams across Biology, Pharmacology, DMPK, Toxicology, and Computational Sciences.
• Collaborate with external CROs and internal partners to advance discovery programs on schedule.
• Leverage DEL, computational chemistry, and AI/ML tools to accelerate hit identification and lead optimization.
• Contribute to IP strategy by exploring novel chemical space and filing patents with the IP team.
• Mentor and develop junior scientists to foster a culture of innovation and scientific excellence.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry

SAR expertise

ADME/PK knowledge

Education

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related field

Tools

DEL

Computational chemistry

AI/ML tools

Job description

## Principal Research Scientist - Medicinal ChemistApply: Indianapolis, IN: Full time: Posted Today: R0027883**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: Principal Research Scientist - Medicinal ChemistAs a Principal Research Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry, you will be a key figure in our small molecule drug discovery engine, guiding the design and synthesis of innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of animals. You will apply your scientific expertise to advance multiple therapeutic programs, from lead generation to development candidate selection. Partnering with a global, cross-functional team of scientists, you will leverage cutting-edge technologies like AI/ML and DNA-Encoded Libraries to solve complex chemical challenges. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on our discovery portfolio and help shape the future of our growing research team in Indianapolis.Your Responsibilities:● Drive the design and optimization of novel small molecules by leveraging advanced synthetic strategies and integrating biological, pharmacological, and ADME/PK data to guide structure–activity relationship (SAR) campaigns● Lead medicinal chemistry initiatives within multidisciplinary teams, partnering with Biology, Pharmacology, DMPK, Toxicology, and Computational Sciences to drive the strategic progression of drug discovery programs.● Serve as a key medicinal chemistry figure on multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating with partners in Biology, Pharmacology, DMPK, Toxicology, and Computational Sciences to strategically advance discovery programs.● Direct synthetic chemistry efforts with external Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and internal partners, ensuring the efficient execution of project goals and timelines.● Leverage cutting-edge drug discovery technologies, including DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), computational chemistry, and AI/ML-enabled tools, to accelerate hit identification and lead optimization.● Drive IP strategy by exploring novel chemical space and developing patent applications in collaboration with the IP team.● Promote scientific excellence and data integrity while providing mentorship and technical guidance to junior scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):● Education: PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.● Experience: A minimum of 8-10 years of relevant industry experience in medicinal chemistry within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or animal health research environment.● Top Skills: Demonstrated expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, including the design and multi-step synthesis of complex small molecules, and a strong understanding of Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR), pharmacology, and ADME/PK principles. Proven ability to autonomously manage scientific initiatives within a cross-functional team and manage external collaborations with CROs.What will give you a strong candidate profile (preferred qualifications):● Postdoctoral experience.● Experience applying modern drug discovery technologies such as DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), computational chemistry, or AI/ML-enabled molecular design.● A strong track record of advancing small-molecule discovery programs toward preclinical development, evidenced by significant patent and/or publication contributions.● Prior research experience in the animal health industry.● Expertise in peptide chemistry, macrocycles, or related drug modalities.Additional Information:● Travel: Less than 10%● Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work EnvironmentDon't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!Elanco Benefits and Perks: We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:● Multiple relocation packages● Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)● 8-week parental leave● 9 Employee Resource Groups● Annual bonus offering● Flexible work arrangements● Up to 6% 401K matching#LI-RH1Elanco 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.