Principal Research Scientist

Elanco•Indianapolis, IN

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Principal Research Scientist for In Vitro Assay Development, you will be the ‘Architect of the Lab Test’ for Elanco’s research portfolio. You will serve as the scientific hub for a team dedicated to answering a critical question: does a new drug work in the lab before we ever test it in an animal? By designing and implementing the complex experiments that demonstrate a drug’s potency and mechanism of action, you will directly shape the scientific direction of projects and serve as the bridge between our discovery and development teams.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or a related discipline with 8+ years of relevant industry experience; OR an M.S. with 12+ years of extensive, relevant industry experience.
Demonstrated expertise in developing a wide array of cell-based assays (e.g., signaling, reporter, cytotoxicity, proliferation, target engagement).
Proven experience with small molecule drug discovery, plus expertise in at least one other modality (large molecules/biologics or vaccines).
A track record of identifying critical scientific problems and independently driving the development of solutions that advance portfolio projects, consistent with an R3 level scientist.

Nice To Haves

Experience working across all three modalities: small molecules, large molecules, and vaccines.
Experience translating novel technologies or methodologies (e.g., AI/ML, high-throughput screening) from human health or other fields into an animal health research environment.
Direct experience with the transfer of methods and data between internal teams and external collaborators or CROs.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and manage competing priorities through clear communication and strong collaborative skills.
A deep understanding of pharmacology, immunology, and/or virology principles.

Responsibilities

Serve as the intellectual leader for the design and development of all critical protein and cell-based assays, providing strategic and technical guidance to project teams.
Architect the end-to-end in vitro screening strategy for diverse projects, designing bespoke assays to probe mechanism-of-action (MOA), determine potency, and characterize cellular responses.
Define and manage the strategic balance of assay development and execution between internal teams and external Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
Drive scientific innovation by evaluating and implementing cutting-edge technologies and new methodologies (e.g., AI/ML applications) to advance our screening cascades.
Lead, mentor, and guide a team of 3-5 scientists, fostering their career development and building a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, and collaboration.
Act as a key scientific liaison, collaborating closely with leaders in medicinal chemistry, protein engineering, immunology, and virology to drive projects forward.