Principal Research Scientist, Molecular Pharmacology
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Position Summary
We areseekinga highly collaborative and technically versatilePrincipal Research Scientist to lead ourMolecular Pharmacologyteam. In this role,you will focus onstrategic team leadershipandscientific executionwhilebuilding an organization that focuses onthe design, development, and implementation of protein and cell-based assays that support our Small Molecule (SMOL), Large Molecule (Biologics), andParasitology research pipelines. Success in this role requires a deep commitment to cross-functional partnership, ensuringthat invitro data effectively informs the progression of projects across multiple therapeutic modalities and disease areas.
WhatYou’llDo (Your Impact)
Serve as the lead scientific liaison between the assay team and key internal discovery groups. You will collaborate closely withSmall Molecule,Large Molecule, and Parasitology Discoveryteams to ensure assay strategies are aligned with project-specific biological requirements.
Mentor and guide a team of scientists, elevating the group's technical capabilities and fostering a culture of scientific rigor, curiosity, and seamless internal collaboration.
Collaborate with partners in the designand implementation of anin vitrostrategy foradiverseset ofprojects. Examples includedesigning bespoke assays to probe mechanism-of-action (MOA),determinepotency, andcharacterizecellular responses for compounds ranging from synthetic chemicals to complex proteins.
Support pharmacology-based lead optimization of small and large molecules byensuring rapid delivery of pharmacology data to drug discovery team partners
Provideexpert scientific guidance on project teams to help drive technical success
Champion the implementation of a wide array of assay platforms, modalities, andinstrumentationalong withstrategiesto support the unique needs ofprojects within our research portfolio.
Identifyin vitro pharmacologycapability gaps and develop solutions that benefit across the portfolio
Ensure the delivery of high-quality, reproducible data that enables internal project teams to make confident go/no-go decisionsregardinglead progression and candidateselection.
Who You Are (Required Qualifications)
Education: Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, or a related discipline with12+ years of industry experience; OR M.S. with15+ years of extensive industry experience.
Collaborative Mindset: A proventrack recordof working effectively within matrixed, cross-functional teams to advance drug discovery goals across different scientific disciplines.
Assay Mastery: Deep technicalproficiencyindesigning, characterizing, andoptimizinga wide spectrum of biochemical and cell-based assays (e.g., signaling, enzymatic activity, target engagement, and cytotoxicity).
Leadership: A track recordof independent scientific leadership, strategic thinking, and impactful contributions to drug discovery projects.
What Sets You Apart (Preferred Qualifications)
People Leadership: Demonstrable success in building and managing highly performing technical teams in the in vitro pharmacology space
Parasitology Expertise: Prior experience in the development of in vitro assays for parasitic targets or a strong understanding of parasite-host biology.
SMOL Support: Experience working alongside medicinal chemistry teams to provide the data necessary for compound characterization and lead optimization.
Technical Savvy: Familiarity with laboratory automation and data management tools (e.g., ELNs) to ensure workflow integrity and rapid data reporting.
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.
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.
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.