Senior Associate Scientist – Plate-Based Analytical Assays – Transitional and Early Development

Elanco; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns

8-week parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus offering

Flexible work arrangements

401K matching

Job summary

Elanco, headquartered in Indianapolis, is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist in Transitional and Early Development to bridge discovery and clinical development through plate-based analytical assays.

You will design and execute screening assays (receptor blocking ELISAs, AC-SINS, PEG assays), develop robust ELISAs for lead candidates, and prepare methods for tech transfer to Analytical Development, with collaboration across Discovery Research and Analytical Development.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and optimizing ligand-binding assays (ELISAs).
• Experience screening and characterizing monoclonal antibodies or complex biomolecules.
• Ability to design and evaluate tool reagents for assay development.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and customized research-stage plate assays, including receptor blocking ELISAs, quantitative ELISAs, AC-SINS, and PEG precipitation assays to screen hit mAbs and other biomolecules.
• Develop, optimize, and qualify quantitative ELISAs for lead candidate molecules.
• Ensure these assays meet early robustness criteria for successful technology transfer to the Analytical Development team at Pipeline Entry.
• Proactively design, source, and evaluate critical tool reagents (e.g., capture/detection antibodies, recombinant target proteins) required for customized ligand-binding assays.
• Analyze large datasets using appropriate statistical and graphing software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, JMP).
• Document all experimental work meticulously in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and author technical reports.
• Interface daily with scientists across Discovery Research and Analytical Development to ensure assay strategies align with project milestones and molecule characterization needs.
• Evaluate and implement new plate-based technologies and high-throughput automation strategies to improve screening efficiency and data quality.

Skills

Plate-based assay development

ELISA optimization

Data analysis (GraphPad Prism, JMP)

Tool reagent design

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or related field

Tools

ELISAs

AC-SINS

PEG assays

GraphPad Prism

JMP

Job description

Senior Associate Scientist – Plate-Based Analytical Assays – Transitional and Early Development

About the Role

Senior Associate Scientist in the Transitional and Early Development team, you will play a critical role in bridging early discovery and clinical development for Elanco’s biotherapeutics pipeline.

This laboratory-based position focuses on the design, execution, and optimization of research-stage plate-based analytical assays to support the screening and characterization of hit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other complex biomolecules.

You will be responsible for building customized screening assays (including receptor blocking ELISAs, AC-SINS, and PEG assays) and designing the necessary tool reagents to evaluate early-stage molecules. Furthermore, you will develop robust quantitative ELISAs for lead molecules, ensuring these methods are phase-appropriate and ready for seamless tech transfer to Analytical Development once projects approach Pipeline Entry.

Your Responsibilities

• Perform routine and customized research-stage plate assays, including receptor blocking ELISAs, quantitative ELISAs, AC-SINS, and PEG precipitation assays to screen hit mAbs and other biomolecules.
• Develop, optimize, and qualify quantitative ELISAs for lead candidate molecules.
• Ensure these assays meet early robustness criteria for successful technology transfer to the Analytical Development team at Pipeline Entry.
• Proactively design, source, and evaluate critical tool reagents (e.g., capture/detection antibodies, recombinant target proteins) required for customized ligand-binding assays.
• Analyze large datasets using appropriate statistical and graphing software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, JMP).
• Document all experimental work meticulously in electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and author technical reports.
• Interface daily with scientists across Discovery Research and Analytical Development to ensure assay strategies align with project milestones and molecule characterization needs.
• Evaluate and implement new plate-based technologies and high-throughput automation strategies to improve screening efficiency and data quality.

What You Need to Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• Education: B.S. or M.S. in Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Experience: B.S. with 4+ years, or M.S. with 2+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical industry experience focusing on assay development and/or early research screening.
• Technical Skills: Extensive, hands-on expertise in developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting ligand-binding assays (especially ELISAs).
• Demonstrated ability to design and evaluate tool reagents for novel assay development.
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to learn quickly and assimilate new laboratory techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of effective collaboration in a matrixed team environment.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Direct experience with biophysical/colloidal stability screening assays such as AC-SINS and PEG precipitation assays.
• Understanding of the analytical requirements for transitioning early research assays into validate-able methods for late-stage Analytical Development and Quality Control.
• Experience with automated liquid handlers or high-throughput plate reading platforms to scale early screening efforts.
• Strong background in protein biochemistry and structural understanding of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and multi-specific biologics.
• Experience utilizing Design of Experiments (DoE) for assay optimization.

Additional Information

Travel: Minimal

Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment

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-RH1

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.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.