Senior Associate Scientist, Process Development

Elanco; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and

8-week parental leave

9 Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus offering

Flexible work arrangements

Up to 6% 401K matching

Job summary

Elanco in Fort Dodge, IA, is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist in Vaccine Process Development to help bring new vaccines to market for pets and livestock. This hands‑on, process‑focused role involves designing and executing studies in bacterial fermentation, viral propagation, and downstream processing.

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

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.

Responsibilities

• Drive timely progress of Technical Development projects.
• Independently execute experimental methods involving bacterial fermentation, viral propagation, mammalian cell culture, formulation, and downstream processing.
• Contribute to a safe, compliant, and productive lab environment.

Skills

Communication

Laboratory skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field

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!

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:

• 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.