Associate Scientist - Cell Line Development

Senior Associate Scientist, Cell Line Development

As a Senior Associate Scientist, Cell Line Development, you will be a pivotal member of our Transitional and Early Development (TED) team, directly contributing to the advancement of Elanco’s biotherapeutic and vaccine pipeline. You will leverage your deep expertise in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, and biochemistry to develop and industrialize next‑generation cell lines. This is a hands‑on laboratory role where you will take ownership of projects, collaborate with a diverse group of scientists, and see your work translate from research to development, making a tangible impact on animal health.

• Guide the development, optimization, and implementation of robust workflows for mammalian cell culture and high‑performance cell line generation.
• Take ownership of the end‑to‑end creation of stable and clonal cell lines for biotherapeutic and vaccine candidates, utilizing advanced platforms such as Beacon and VIPS.
• Serve as a key technical matter expert on cell line development, providing critical scientific input and fostering seamless collaboration with Discovery, Upstream Process Development, and Analytical teams.
• Manage the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and methodologies to enhance the speed, quality, and efficiency of our cell line development engine.
• Ensure meticulous data integrity and knowledge transfer by authoring detailed technical protocols, analyzing complex datasets, and clearly presenting scientific findings to guide project progression.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology) with at least 6 years of industry experience, OR a Master’s degree with at least 3 years of industry experience.
• Experience: Deep technical expertise in mammalian suspension cell culture (specifically CHO and 293 cells), including aseptic technique, media preparation, and cell banking.
• Top
  
  Skills:
  
  Proven ability to independently troubleshoot complex technical issues, interpret complex data to influence project direction, and effectively manage multiple projects in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

• Demonstrable hands‑on experience in the end‑to‑end development of stable cell lines, including transfection, single‑cell cloning, and characterization of clonality and stability.
• Proven project management experience with the ability to guide technical strategy and mentor junior scientists.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑throughput cell line development platforms (e.g., Beacon, VIPS) and flow cytometry.
• A strong understanding of upstream bioprocess techniques, including the use of shake flasks, am ®, and bench‑scale bioreactors.
• Familiarity with cGMP principles and the regulatory requirements for cell line development and characterization for IND/BLA submissions.

• Travel: Up to 10%
• Location: Global Elanco Headquarters
  - Indianapolis, IN
  - Hybrid Work Environment

• 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.