Technical Associate – Upstream Process 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:

As a Technical Associate – Upstream Process Development, you will play a key role in the development and commercialization of new products, supporting projects from laboratory development through scale-up.

This is a hands-on, laboratory-based position with a focus on upstream process development, including fermentation and cell culture. Working as part of multidisciplinary project teams, you will help define, optimize and scale up robust manufacturing processes while developing effective process control strategies.

You will combine scientific expertise with practical experimentation to deliver process development projects aligned with CMC requirements and broader business objectives. This is an excellent opportunity for an upstream scientist who enjoys being hands-on in the laboratory, maintaining the smooth running of the facility and contributing directly to the development and scale-up of new products.

Your Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise and hands-on support for upstream process development activities within development laboratories and pilot plant environments.
• Supports execution of experiments for process definition, optimization, scale-up and commercialization.
• Perform essential daily tasks including equipment calibration, buffer and media preparation, sampling, and routine monitoring of cultures. 
• Maintain a high standard of lab organization and housekeeping. Proactively manage stock levels of consumables and reagents to ensure no delays in development activities. 
• Ensure development programs and experimental activities are aligned with CMC and GxP requirements.
• Collaborate with analytical teams to ensure appropriate testing methods are available to support development activities.
• Prepare high-quality, peer-reviewed technical reports and ensure appropriate documentation and archiving of experimental work.
• Support technology, equipment and capital projects, including planning, commissioning, documentation and training activities.
• Coach and train colleagues within the development group, including placement students.
• Ensure equipment and facilities are capable and flexible to support development needs. Support equipment maintenance activities, acting as a point of liaison for service providers, facilities management, and external contractors. Work proactively with external companies, site, and network as appropriate. Drive continuous improvement through innovation, process optimization and knowledge sharing across the wider technical network.
• Ensure all laboratory activities are performed safely and in accordance with relevant risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Build effective collaborations with internal teams and external organizations to support project and business requirements.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Degree or higher degree in a scientific discipline.
• Practical experience in upstream process development.
• Strong hands-on laboratory skills and an interest in experimental process development.
• Strong organizational skills with a focus on housekeeping and stock control.
• Technical precision regarding equipment calibration and maintenance.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Ability to plan, document and communicate technical work clearly and effectively.
• Strong commitment to quality, safety and GxP-compliant ways of working.

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 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

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