Research Scientist - Clinical Development

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:

Clinical Laboratory Research Scientist

As a Clinical Laboratory Research Scientist, you will be a key contributor to our Global Research & Development team, directly supporting the advancement of our clinical studies. In this role, you will be responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting vital laboratory experiments. Your work will ensure that high-quality laboratory data is meticulously documented and prepared for statistical review in support of clinical trials. This position offers an opportunity to identify and apply new technologies, continuously updating the capabilities of our clinical laboratory and driving innovation.

Your Responsibilities:

• Plan, conduct, and document laboratory experiments to support clinical trial objectives.

• Develop and validate new viral/bacterial culture methodologies and systematic methods to enhance laboratory capabilities.

• Ensure the scientific accuracy and integrity of clinical study data by reviewing protocols, sample examination plans, and raw data.

• Maintain the laboratory's infrastructure, equipment, and safety standards in compliance with GxP, HSE, and other internal/external guidelines.

• Author and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), working procedures, and data packages.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Microbiology, Virology, Cell Biology) or a High School Diploma/GED with an equivalent level of experience.

• Experience: A minimum of 0-2 years of experience in a clinical or research laboratory setting.

• Top Skills: Hands-on experience with assay design, cell culture (primary and continuous cell lines), and viral/bacterial titrations; Knowledge of GxP guidelines and a commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant lab environment.

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

• Experience in developing or validating new systematic methods.

• Demonstrated ability to autonomously troubleshoot and solve complex technical issues.

• Familiarity with preparing laboratory data packages for statistical review.

• Experience authoring or revising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Proven ability to manage and prioritize tasks for multiple projects simultaneously.

Additional Information:

• Travel: Less than 10%

• Location: Fort Dodge, IA – On-Site Work Environment – Relocation packages available!

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

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.