Associate Scientist - Cell Line Development

Your Role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What You Need to Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• 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.
• 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.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• 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, ambr®, and bench-scale bioreactors.
• Familiarity with cGMP principles and the regulatory requirements for cell line development and characterization for IND/BLA submissions.