Target Intelligence & Discovery Lead

Elanco; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 210,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

Shutdowns in US

Parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus

Flexible work arrangements

401K matching

Job summary

Elanco is seeking a Target Intelligence & Discovery Lead to steer scientific validation and the innovation engine across its discovery portfolio. You will guide a team of discovery scientists, partner with AI/ML groups, and set CP0 discovery approaches for programs in development and translation.

Join a global animal health leader with relocation support and a comprehensive benefits package, driving first-in-class targets and strategic growth in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related field.
• 10+ years in discovery research within pharma/animal health, focusing on target ID and validation.
• Demonstrated leadership building and managing high‑performing scientific teams.
• Strong background in AI/ML predictive modeling, 3D cell systems (organoids), and IP strategy.

Responsibilities

• Direct People Leadership: Manage and develop a high‑performing team of discovery scientists.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence with rigorous check‑and‑balance.
• Provide mentorship and strategic oversight to align outputs with Elanco’s objectives.
• Lead Target Intelligence: gather/synthesize target data and validation.
• Drive first‑in‑class target ID in white space.
• Partner with AI/ML teams; leverage predictive modeling for assessments.
• Oversee organoid/3D model development to improve translation.
• Evaluate emerging target selection/validation methodologies.
• Lead Target Validation: assess BioA needs and foundational IP.
• Direct rigorous biological assessments to verify target relevance.
• Act as institutional decider for high‑integrity targets.
• Lead pipeline ownership from CP0: define Discovery Approach and Modality Plan.
• Drive biomarkers/biosignals for clinical translation.
• Align discovery outputs with portfolio through RBI Integration.

Skills

AI/ML predictive modeling

3D cell systems

IP strategy

Leadership

Strategic mindset

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Pharmacology

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:

Target Intelligence & Discovery Lead

The Target Intelligence & Discovery Lead serves as the primary engine for biological innovation and the scientific gatekeeper of our pipeline. This role is a cornerstone of the Mechanistic and Translational Biology ‘innovation engine,’ responsible for architecting the future of animal health by ensuring every target is rooted in rigorous scientific validation and strategic high-integrity.

The Target Intelligence Lead will institutionalize a proactive “Discover, Decide, Own” mandate. By leveraging advanced Target Intelligence and AI/ML partnerships, this leader will ensure Elanco can proactively define the market rather than follow it.

Your Responsibilities

1. People Leadership & Talent Development

• Direct People Leadership: Manage and develop a high-performing team of discovery scientists.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, intellectual curiosity, and rigorous check-and-balance within the discovery engine.
• Provide mentorship and strategic oversight to ensure the team’s research outputs align with Elanco’s long‑term growth objectives.

2. The Discovery Engine & Target Intelligence (Discover)

• Target Intelligence: Lead the function for gathering and synthesizing emerging target selection and validation data.
• Novel Target ID: Drive the identification of first‑in‑class targets in innovation 'white space.'
• AI/ML Partnership: Serve as the primary partner to AI/ML teams, leveraging Predictive Modeling for Target, Disease, Toxicology, and Safety assessments.
• Advanced Model Development: Oversee the development and implementation of Organoid and 3D Cell Models to improve target translation and predictive accuracy.
• Emerging Approaches: Continuously evaluate and institutionalize emerging target selection and validation methodologies.

3. Scientific Gatekeeping & Assessment (Decide)

• Target Validation: Lead the comprehensive validation process, including the assessment of BioA needs and partner on foundational Intellectual Property (IP).
• Biological Assessments: Direct the execution of rigorous biological assessments to verify target relevance and mechanism of action.
• Scientific Check-and-Balance: Act as the institutional 'decider,' ensuring only scientifically sound and high-integrity targets advance through the pipeline.
• Target Assessments (TA): Oversee formal Target Assessments (TA) to de‑risk early-stage programs before progression.

4. Phase Leadership & Strategic Ownership (Own)

• Lead projects at the beginning of the pipeline through target validation
• Discovery Strategy: Define the Discovery Approach and Modality Plan at CP0 for every program in the portfolio.
• Biomarkers & Biosignals: Drive the identification and early validation of biomarkers and biosignals to enable successful clinical translation.
• Strategic Alignment: Partner with RBI Integration and Performance to align discovery outputs with the broader portfolio.

Your Profile

• Education: PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in discovery research within the pharmaceutical or animal health industry, with a focus on target identification and validation.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience in people leadership, with a track record of building and managing high‑performing scientific teams.
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in AI/ML predictive modeling, 3D cell systems (organoids), and IP strategy for biological target.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to drive an innovation engine—securing proprietary breakthroughs rather than adapting existing science.

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.

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.