Research Scientist - Protein Sciences

Socket.dev; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Shutdowns

Parental leave (8 weeks)

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus offering

Flexible work arrangements

401K matching

Job summary

Elanco is seeking a Research Scientist – Protein Sciences to advance protein production for structural biology studies. You will lead expression for parasitology, small/large molecules, addressing expression challenges and mastering automated purification systems.

Ideal candidates have a Ph.D. in a related field and 0–2 years of hands-on protein expression experience, with strong troubleshooting and independent design skills. Hybrid work in Indianapolis is offered.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or related field.
• Hands-on recombinant protein expression and purification experience (0–2 years).
• Strong track record in experimental design and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute multi-platform protein expression and purification strategies (bacterial, insect, mammalian).
• Develop and optimize automated chromatography protocols (AKTA) and purification methods.
• Apply genetic construct design to improve protein solubility for structural studies.
• Provide technical liaison with CROs for outsourced protein production projects.
• Document procedures and results in ELN with rigorous attention to detail.

Skills

Protein expression

Protein purification

AKTA systems

Troubleshooting

Experimental design

Education

Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Biophysics

Tools

AKTA chromatography

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:

Research Scientist – Protein Sciences

As a Research Scientist on our Antibody Discovery team, you will play a critical role in advancing Elanco's pipeline by producing high-quality proteins essential for groundbreaking structural biology studies. In this lab-based role, you will lead protein production for parasitology, small molecule, and large molecule projects, tackling complex expression challenges and mastering automated purification systems. This is an exciting opportunity to directly contribute to the discovery of novel animal health solutions.

Your Responsibilities:

• Design and execute multi-platform protein expression and purification strategies (bacterial, insect, mammalian) for structural biology studies.

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot protocols for automated chromatography (AKTA) and various purification techniques, including Affinity (NiNTA, GST), Ion Exchange (IEX), and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC).

• Employ advanced genetic construct design (e.g., tag selection, truncation screening, codon optimization) to enhance protein solubility and suitability for structural biology studies.

• Serve as the technical point of contact for outsourced protein production projects with external Contract Research Organizations (CROs), ensuring quality and timeline standards are met.

• Maintain rigorous and timely documentation of all experimental procedures and results within the Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) system.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education:Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or a related scientific field.

• Experience:Foundational hands-on experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, typically gained through academic research (0-2 years).

• Top Skills:Demonstrated expertise in common protein expression/purification techniques and a strong aptitude for independent experimental design and troubleshooting.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• Familiarity with preparing and characterizing proteins specifically for X-ray crystallography or Cryo-EM.

• Direct experience with challenging targets such as membrane proteins (e.g., GPCRs, ion channels).

• Working knowledge of protein refolding methods from inclusion bodies.

• Experience in generating and evaluating stable cell lines for protein expression.

Additional Information:

• Location:Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN

• Work Model:Hybrid - This position is based in Indianapolis and requires a blend of on-site and remote work.

• Travel:Less than 10%

Don'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

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.