Research Scientist - Computational Biologist

Your Role: Research Scientist - Computational Biologist  

As a Research Scientist on our Discovery Research team, you will be at the forefront of Elanco’s mission to deliver innovative biologics that improve animal health. You will leverage and develop state-of-the-art AI and structural modeling tools to predict, design, and optimize therapeutic antibodies and proteins. Partnering closely with our principal Computational Scientist and wet-lab teams, you will directly impact the speed and success of our pipeline, helping to create the next generation of animal health therapies. This role offers a unique opportunity to grow your skills in a rapidly evolving field while contributing to tangible, real-world outcomes. 

Your Responsibilities: 

• Utilize and develop AI-driven tools (e.g., AlphaFold, Rosetta) to predict and design high-resolution structures of antibodies and other proteins, directly supporting our therapeutic biologics pipeline. 

• Apply generative AI and structural modeling techniques to design novel antibody and protein modalities from scratch, optimizing them for high-precision epitope targeting, affinity, and specificity. 

• Proactively identify and engineer out potential liabilities (e.g., aggregation, immunogenicity) and train novel structure-based ML architectures to enhance the developability of our biologic candidates. 

• Partner closely with wet-lab scientists to analyze experimental data, validate computational predictions, and rapidly iterate on designs to accelerate antibody selection and optimization. 

• Stay current with the evolving AI landscape by evaluating new tools, maintaining thorough documentation, and effectively communicating complex findings to cross-functional teams. 

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications): 

• Education: Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Structural Biology, Computer Science, or a related field. 

• Experience: 0-3 years of post-graduate experience applying computational methods to biological problems. 

• Top Skills: A strong foundation in structural bioinformatics and AI/ML modeling, with proficiency in a programming language like Python, and the communication skills to work effectively in a cross-functional scientific environment. 

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

• Experience with de novo protein design tools, such as diffusion models or physics-based approaches. 

• A track record of applying computational tools to solve biological problems, evidenced by publications or significant project contributions. 

• Familiarity with cloud computing environments (e.g., AWS, GCP) and MLOps principles. 

• Experience in antibody or protein engineering and a foundational understanding of immunology. 

• A proactive mindset with a passion for staying current with the rapidly evolving AI landscape and a motivation to test and evaluate new methodologies. 

Additional Information: 

• Travel: Minimal 

• Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment 

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized 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