Research Scientist - Process Development

Elanco; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and

Year-end

Parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus

Flexible work arrangements

401K matching

Job summary

Elanco is a global leader in animal health seeking a Research Scientist (R1) in Vaccine Technical Development to lead fermentation and bioreactor projects. The role emphasizes upstream bioprocessing, project ownership, hands‑on lab work across scales, data interpretation, and cross‑functional collaboration within Process Development.

Candidates should hold an MS with >10 years or a PhD with 1+ year, possess strong verbal and written skills, mentoring ability, high ethical standards, and US work

Qualifications

• Master of Science or PhD with relevant experience in animal health product development.
• Strong communication, both verbal and written.
• Proven mentoring and training abilities.
• High ethical and quality standards.
• Authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale Technical Development projects in fermentation and bioreactor systems.
• Own projects or technical areas as a lead.
• Design and implement experiments, SOPs, and protocols.
• Perform hands-on lab work across multiple scales.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues.
• Oversee data analysis and provide insights to teams and management.
• Mentor and train team members; drive cross-functional alignment.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Mentoring

Training

Leadership

Ethical standards

Education

MS with >10 years

PhD with 1+ years

Tools

Fermentation equipment

Bioreactor control systems

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!

Job Description:

The Research Scientist (R1 level) in the Vaccine Technical Development area plays a crucial role in leading and advancing R&D projects efficiently and effectively with a specialized focus on innovative fermentation and bioreactor technologies. This position leverages extensive scientific expertise to ensure projects progress on schedule and within budget. Responsibilities range from project ownership and strategic planning for advanced upstream bioprocessing, to fostering a positive, accountable work environment. This role operates within the Process Development (PD) functional group and operates cross functionally within Elanco network. Leads multiple large-scale projects, educating self and others, while driving innovative improvements in technical methodologies.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Drive timely progress of large-scale Technical Development projects involving fermentation and bioreactor systems by applying advanced scientific knowledge and skills in area of expertise.
• Own projects or full technical areas as a lead.
• Gaining knowledge on the entire innovation cycle and the role of Technical Development in completing a product licensure.
• Utilize technical expertise to design and implement experiments, methods, protocols, and SOPs for process improvements within the area of expertise.
• Perform hands‑on laboratory work, including creating, developing and optimizing new methods and techniques at various scales.
• Work independently to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.
• Oversee data analysis and interpretation, providing detailed insights to project teams and management.
• Serve as Project Lead, developing technical plans, and coordinating cross-functional communication and alignment with management involvement as needed.
• Train and mentor others, fostering a learning environment and promoting technical development within the team.
• Develop new innovative ideas and accelerate timelines for process scale‑up and efficiencies.
• Own projects for the PD function and represent TD on Project Team. Define clear goals and make rapid decisions. Responsible for acquiring resources for project completion and working with TD team members to accomplish the project.
• Maintain a greater level of communication while working/representing the team to a larger audience as Project Leads. Able to execute or find resources internally to complete a project aslong as it is within the area of expertise (e.g., Development and Transfer of a process for bacterial product)
• Work within the team to gather resources to finish tasks. Relies less on management communication cross functionally.
• Expected to be a knowledge source and trainer for team members.
• Maintain accountability to the functional group and research/development teams for assigned tasks and responsibilities, embodying Elanco's values and demonstrating expected behaviors.
• Establish and nurture key relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify and meet customer requirements.
• Proactively seeks feedback from peers and SMEs with openness.
• Demonstrate flexibility and high learning agility to perform and adapt in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.long as it is within the area of expertise (e.g., Development and Transfer of a process for bacterial product)
• Work within the team to gather resources to finish tasks. Relies less on management communication cross functionally.
• Expected to be a knowledge source and trainer for team members.
• Maintain accountability to the functional group and research/development teams for assigned tasks and responsibilities, embodying Elanco's values and demonstrating expected behaviors.
• Establish and nurture key relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify and meet customer requirements.
• Proactively seeks feedback from peers and SMEs with openness.
• Demonstrate flexibility and high learning agility to perform and adapt in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.

Minimum Qualification (education, experience and/or training, required certifications):

• Master of Science (M.S) degree with greater than 10 years, or Ph.D. with 1 or more years of relevant experience.
• Comprehensive verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and influence key business drivers within the discipline.
• Proven track record of training and mentoring others.
• High ethical and quality standards.
• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Elanco does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B, or TN status) for this employment position

Additional Preferences:

• Experience with downstream processing techniques/related equipment.
• Experience with biohazardous organisms.
• Experience in developing animal health products.
• Good understanding of the relevant regulations for animal health product development.

Other Information

• Travel: Occasional travel (primarily within the U.S.), <5%

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

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 status

Elanco 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.

#LI-SC1

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 status

Elanco 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.