Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership

Elanco; Greenfield (IN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Shutdown weeks (mid-summer & year-end)

Parental leave (8 weeks)

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Annual bonus

Flexible work arrangements

401K matching up to 6%

Job summary

Elanco, a global leader in animal health, seeks a Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership in Indianapolis with a hybrid work model. You will architect early-stage discovery, leading identification of next-generation targets for endo- and ectoparasites, and guiding NME selection for Pet Health and Farm Animals.

You will oversee in vitro/in vivo data interpretation, manage international teams, and collaborate with External Innovation to advance the pipeline.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, veterinary medicine, parasitology, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of industrial R&D experience in a project leadership role.
• Proven track record in target identification/validation within Animal Health or Pharma and leading cross-functional teams without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead research activities to identify and validate novel targets using multi-omics and functional models for small/large molecules and vaccines.
• Drive discovery programs from concept to candidate selection with scientific rigor and timelines for next-generation parasiticides.
• Lead multi-functional, international teams to influence selection and transition candidates into the development pipeline.
• Oversee generation and interpretation of complex biological datasets to guide high-stakes decision-making.
• Manage a strategic network with academic institutions and contract research organizations to achieve research goals.

Skills

Target identification & validation

Cross-functional leadership

AI/ML understanding

Education

PhD in Biology

PhD in Veterinary Medicine

PhD in Parasitology

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 Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership.

As a Senior Research Scientist – Target Discovery & Project Leadership on our Discovery Parasiticides team, you will architect the future of animal health by playing a pivotal role in the early research phase. You will spearhead the identification of next-generation molecular hits against endo- and ectoparasites. In this role, you will lead the discovery and interpretation of critical in vitro and in vivo data, championing the selection process for New Molecular Entities (NME) and ensuring a robust pipeline for both Pet Health and Farm Animals.

Your Responsibilities:

• Lead research activities to identify and validate novel targets using multi-omics (transcriptomics, proteomics) and functional models for small/large molecules and vaccines.
• Drive discovery programs from concept to candidate selection, ensuring scientific rigor and meeting timeline milestones for next-generation parasiticides.
• Lead multi-functional, international teams to influence selection and transition candidates seamlessly into the development pipeline.
• Oversee the generation and interpretation of complex biological datasets (in vitro/in vivo) to guide high-stakes decision-making.
• Manage a strategic network with academic institutions and contract research organizations in close collaboration with the External Innovation Team to achieve research goals.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education: PhD in Biology, Veterinary Medicine, Parasitology, or a related scientific field.
• Experience: A minimum of 4 years of industrial R&D experience in a project leadership capacity.
• Skills: Proven track record in target identification and validation within Animal Health or Pharma; demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional teams without direct authority.

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

• Solid understanding of AI/ML and in silico modelling to accelerate discovery.
• Deep knowledge of parasite biology and modern screening methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and translate complex data for diverse stakeholders.
• High resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Additional Information:

• Location & Work Model: Indianapolis, IN (Global HQ) with a Hybrid work model.
• Travel: Up to 15% annually.

Don’t meet every single requirement?Studies have shown underrepresented 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.

#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… For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.