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

Socket.dev; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns (US)

8‑week parental leave

9 Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6% 401K matching

Job summary

Elanco in Indianapolis invites a Senior Associate Scientist to join the Transitional and Early Development team, advancing plate-based analytical assays for biotherapeutics. You’ll design, optimize, and execute assays to screen hit mAbs and related biomolecules, enabling smooth tech transfer to Analytical Development as projects mature.

In this laboratory role, you’ll build quantitative ELISAs, develop tool reagents, and analyze large datasets with GraphPad Prism or JMP, collaborating across

Qualifications

• Education in immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology or related field.
• Experience in assay development and early screening in biopharma.
• Strong data analysis and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and customized plate assays (ELISAs, AC‑SINS, PEG) to screen biomolecules.
• Develop, optimize, and qualify quantitative ELISAs for lead molecules; ensure readiness for tech transfer.
• Design, source and evaluate tool reagents for ligand‑binding assays.
• Analyze large datasets using GraphPad Prism or JMP; document in ELN and reports.
• Collaborate with Discovery Research and Analytical Development to align strategies.
• Evaluate new plate‑based tech and high‑throughput approaches to boost efficiency.

Skills

ELISA development

Assay development

Data analysis

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

B.S./M.S. degree

Tools

GraphPad Prism

JMP

High-throughput 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!

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

Don'tmeet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to applytojobs 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 butdon'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:

• 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.