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: Distinguished Research Scientist – Upstream Process Development
This position directly supports the Elanco’s Technical Development (TD) Organization in its mission to deliver Innovation, Characterization and Control. The primary responsibilities of this role are to lead and drive the next generation Mammalian Cell Culture Strategies, to characterize and control Product Quality and to develop the Robust Upstream Processes needed to advance Elanco’s early and late phase biomolecules portfolio. You will provide day-to-day technical and strategic leadership and support of all upstream lab activities covering the broad scope of Elanco’s large molecule portfolio with initial emphasis on delivering Elanco’s therapeutic monoclonal antibody platforms.
In addition, this role is a high visibility position that serves as the lead scientist on the various CM&C, governance and project teams within R&D and Manufacturing and will require organizational management and excellent communication skills.
It is expected the person in this role is an independent, influential leader for one of our upstream groups supporting the Technical Development organization throughout various project and tech transfer teams. This role will have responsibility for several direct reports and be looked to for establishing upstream processing strategy and identifying future capability. This role primarily supports development activities but they will also help to build and maintain some GMP/USDA capabilities and capacity. You will have access to high-throughput automation systems, lab scale models and pilot scale demonstration capabilities. The contributions from this scientist role will range from initial capability screening during discovery phase evaluation to characterizing and optimizing product attributes and process operations in preparation for regulatory filings & commercialization.
Your Responsibilities:
Lead upstream process development for mammalian cell culture, including experimental design and analysis of fed-batch and intensified fed-batch operations, seed train expansion, and high-throughput bioreactor capabilities to optimize productivity and product quality.
Drive technical innovation and platform development by introducing new technologies, leveraging industry expertise, and applying phase-appropriate risk strategies to accelerate protein production and support vaccines and biotherapeutics programs.
Provide technical leadership and program oversight, including lab supervision, project management (scope, timelines, budget), and coordination with internal teams, manufacturing, and external collaborators to advance pipeline goals.
Author and review critical documentation such as protocols, SOPs, batch records, technical reports, and tech transfer documents; deliver clear technical presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
Support technology transfer and external partnerships by collaborating with CROs, CMOs, and consultants, establishing contracts, and ensuring effective knowledge transfer to manufacturing partners.
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
PhD in engineering, biochemistry or other biotechnology related field plus 15 years of industry experience
Experience working with mammalian cell culture of large molecule product streams (Monoclonal Antibodies, Proteins, Antigens….)
Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
Extensive upstream process development experience, including intensified fed-batch cell culture, perfusion, high-throughput screening, and process scale-up from development to manufacturing.
Proven expertise in technology transfer and continuous bioprocess control strategies, ensuring robust, efficient, and scalable production processes.
Strong regulatory background, with hands-on experience in cGMP and USDA-regulated environments, BSL-1 & BSL-2 labs, and participation in regulatory filings and submissions.
Broad technical knowledge across multiple platforms, including fermentation, analytical method development, purification, and formulation technologies.
Excellent problem-solving and collaboration skills, combining strategic and creative thinking with the ability to build strong partnerships and influence cross-functional teams and CDMOs.
Additional Information:
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
