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Associate Scientist Cell Line Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Scientist Cell Line Development information

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How much do associate scientist cell line development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate scientist cell line development in the United States is $35.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.88 and $40.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Scientists in Cell Line Development, and how can they be addressed?

Associate Scientists in Cell Line Development often encounter challenges such as optimizing cell growth conditions, maintaining cell line stability, and troubleshooting low productivity or contamination issues. Addressing these challenges requires strong attention to detail, effective documentation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams such as upstream process development and quality control. Regular communication with senior scientists and participation in team meetings can also help in problem-solving and ensuring project timelines are met. Staying updated on the latest techniques and technologies in cell line engineering further supports overcoming these obstacles.

What does an Associate Scientist in Cell Line Development do?

An Associate Scientist in Cell Line Development is responsible for creating and optimizing cell lines that are used in the production of biopharmaceutical products. Their work involves culturing cells, performing genetic modifications, and conducting experiments to select the best cell lines for manufacturing proteins or other biologics. They also document their findings, analyze data, and collaborate with other scientists to ensure the cell lines meet regulatory and quality standards. This role is vital in the early stages of drug development, as robust cell lines are essential for consistent and scalable production.

What is the difference between Associate Scientist Cell Line Development vs Associate Scientist Bioprocess Development?

AspectAssociate Scientist Cell Line DevelopmentAssociate Scientist Bioprocess Development
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentLaboratory focused on cell line creation and characterizationLaboratory and pilot plant focused on process scale-up and manufacturing
Employer & Industry UsageBiotech and pharmaceutical companies developing cell lines for biologicsBiotech and pharma companies optimizing bioprocesses for production

Associate Scientist Cell Line Development primarily focuses on creating and characterizing cell lines for biologic production, while Associate Scientist Bioprocess Development concentrates on scaling up and optimizing manufacturing processes. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are essential in biologics development, but they differ in their specific focus within the biopharmaceutical pipeline.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Scientist in Cell Line Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Scientist in Cell Line Development, you need a strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, and protein expression, typically supported by a relevant science degree. Familiarity with technical tools such as flow cytometry, cell culture systems, CRISPR gene editing platforms, and data analysis software is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure high-quality cell line generation, reproducible results, and successful collaboration in fast-paced biopharmaceutical environments.
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Associate Scientist - Cell Line Development

Associate Scientist - Cell Line Development

Elanco

Indianapolis, IN • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

43rd of 74 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

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: Senior Associate Scientist, Cell Line Development

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. This is a hands-on laboratory role where you will take ownership of projects, collaborate with a diverse group of scientists, and see your work translate from research to development, making a tangible impact on animal health.

Your 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.
  • Top 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.

Additional Information:

  • Travel: Up to 10%
  • 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

Elanco offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees that includes a company-matching 401(k); vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Of course, the compensation is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described above. Elanco reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion, and Elanco's compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Elanco employees.

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 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 jobrelated 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.


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