Senior Associate Scientist, Process Development

Elanco; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns

Parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus

Flexible work arrangements

401K matching

Job summary

Elanco seeks a Senior Associate Scientist in Vaccine Process Development to drive design and execution of studies in bacterial fermentation, viral propagation, and downstream processing for vaccines for pets and livestock.

You will collaborate with analytical teams to ensure robust development, transfer, and validation of manufacturing processes that protect animals and enrich lives globally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioprocessing).
• 3+ years of laboratory experience or a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Strong verbal and written communication; experience with the operation and maintenance of basic laboratory instrumentation.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States; Elanco does not anticipate visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Apply scientific knowledge to drive progress of Technical Development projects.
• Independently execute experiments in bacterial fermentation, viral propagation, mammalian cell culture, formulation, and downstream processing.
• Generate methods for technical activities under guidance of a qualified scientist.
• Contribute to a safe, compliant, and productive work environment.
• Train others under supervision; educate on complex issues.
• Interpret data and suggest next steps to the lead scientist.
• Demonstrate adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform general lab upkeep and maintenance.

Skills

Strong communication

Lab instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Tools

Basic lab instrumentation

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:

Senior Associate Scientist, Process Development

As a Senior Associate Scientist in Vaccine Process Development, you will be a key contributor in bringing new vaccines to market for both pets and livestock. This is a hands‑on, process‑focused role where you will assist in designing and executing crucial studies in bacterial fermentation, viral propagation, and downstream processing. In our fast‑paced environment, your agility and passion for science will be critical as you help forge a growing partnership with our analytical teams, ensuring the robust development, validation, and transfer of manufacturing processes that protect animals and enrich lives globally.

Your Responsibilities

• Apply scientific knowledge and skills to drive timely progress of Technical Development projects.
• Independently execute experimental methods and protocols involving bacterial fermentation, viral propagation, mammalian cell culture, formulation, and downstream processing.
• Generate methods for technical activities, under the guidance of a qualified scientist.
• Actively contribute to a safe, compliant, and productive work environment for all research associates.
• Train others under the guidance of a lead scientist and educate self and others on complex issues.
• Propose initial interpretations of data to the lead scientist for evaluation and suggest next steps within the method.
• Demonstrate flexibility and high learning agility to perform and adapt in a fast‑paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Perform general laboratory upkeep and maintenance.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioprocessing).
• Required Experience: A minimum of 3 years of relevant laboratory experience (or a Master of Science degree in a relevant field).
• Top Skills: Strong verbal/written communication and experience with the operation and maintenance of basic laboratory instrumentation.
• Legal Authorization: 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 position.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• Proven ability to quickly learn and adapt, with a passion for problem‑solving and addressing new scientific opportunities.
• Experience with downstream processing techniques and related equipment.
• Direct experience handling biohazardous organisms in a laboratory setting.
• Familiarity with the development process for animal health products and a good understanding of relevant industry regulations (e.g., USDA, VMD).

Additional Information

Travel: <5% Location: Fort Dodge, IA - On‑site Work Environment – Relocation packages available!

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.

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.