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Senior Formulation Chemist Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Senior Materials Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

S. degree in Chemical or Polymer Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline. * Advanced degree ... Hands-on experience with polymer formulation, compounding, process development, scale-up, and ...

Senior Materials Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

S. degree in Chemical or Polymer Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline. * Advanced degree ... Hands-on experience with polymer formulation, compounding, process development, scale-up, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Formulation Chemist information

See Indiana salary details

$33.3K

$83.5K

$140.8K

How much do senior formulation chemist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior formulation chemist in Indiana is $83,483.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,100.00 and $104,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior formulation chemist?

Senior Formulation Chemists are experienced scientists who design, develop, and optimize chemical formulations for products in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and cleaning products. They are responsible for creating stable and effective mixtures by selecting appropriate raw materials and evaluating product performance. In addition to laboratory research, they often lead projects, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with industry regulations and quality standards.

How does a senior formulation chemist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during product development?

A Senior Formulation Chemist often works closely with teams such as R&D, quality assurance, manufacturing, and regulatory affairs throughout the product development process. They may participate in project meetings to discuss formulation challenges, provide technical expertise on ingredient compatibility, and ensure that formulations meet both performance and regulatory standards. Collaboration is key to troubleshooting issues, scaling up production, and delivering products that align with customer and business needs. Effective communication and teamwork are essential in this dynamic environment, as chemists must translate complex scientific concepts for colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior formulation chemist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Formulation Chemist, you need a strong background in chemistry or chemical engineering, typically with an advanced degree and experience in product formulation. Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation, analytical techniques (such as HPLC or GC), and familiarity with regulatory compliance systems is crucial. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set outstanding candidates apart. These skills ensure the development of high-quality, compliant products and successful collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Senior Formulation Chemist vs Formulation Chemist?

AspectSenior Formulation ChemistFormulation Chemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science, or related field; 3+ years experienceBachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field; entry-level to 2 years experience
Work EnvironmentResearch and development labs, manufacturing facilitiesLaboratories, production lines, R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, and chemical industriesSimilar industries, often as entry or mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Formulation Chemist and a Formulation Chemist lies in experience and responsibility. Senior Formulation Chemists typically have more years of experience, handle complex formulations, and may oversee projects or junior staff. Formulation Chemists are often entry to mid-level roles focused on developing and testing formulations under supervision. Both roles are essential in R&D and manufacturing within chemical-related industries.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Formulation Chemist jobs in Indiana?

For Senior Formulation Chemist jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Senior Formulation Chemist job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,483 per year, or $40.1 per hour.

Senior Research Scientist - Product Development

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 86 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:
As a Senior Scientist in the Transitional and Early Development team, you will be a strategic and technical leader focused on the critical transition from early research to development. In this role, you will lead early-formulation work to identify optimal formulations for physical stability of lead molecules in support of pre-clinical study material generation.
In this laboratory-based leadership role, you will drive the biophysical characterization and formulation selection process for diverse biopharmaceutical modalities, including monoclonal antibodies and other complex biologics. You will be responsible for leading a small characterization team that performs the biophysical and functional assays used to evaluate and de-risk lead candidates before they enter full development as well as designing and conducting the formulation selection studies.
Your Responsibilities
  • Strategic Pre-Formulation: Lead formulation programs for lead molecules, applying deep expertise in protein chemistry and thermodynamics to identify formulations for each lead with superior solubility, stability, and freeze-thaw potential.

  • Team Leadership: Direct and mentor a small characterization team; establish robust analytical workflows and acceptance criteria for biophysical and functional assays.

  • Risk Mitigation: Identify and mitigate formulation-related risks such as aggregation, precipitation, and viscosity at high concentrations using first-principles understanding of solution behavior.

  • Technical Innovation: Evaluate and implement novel formulation technologies and high-throughput screening platforms to accelerate the lead selection process.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the technical formulation lead on concurrent project teams, interfacing with Discovery Research, Process Development, Analytical Development, and Formulation Development.

  • Data Excellence: Maintain exemplary ELN documentation, author technical reports, and provide data-driven recommendations to enable the successful transition of molecules into the development pipeline.

What You Need to Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)
Education:
  • PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience:
  • 3+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience with a specific focus on protein formulation and characterization.

  • Proven experience leading formulation projects from concept through execution.

Technical Skills:
  • Deep expertise in protein chemistry, physical biochemistry, and colloidal science.

  • Hands-on mastery of protein characterization techniques (e.g., DLS/Zetasizer, DSC, DSF, SEC, and spectroscopy).

  • Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced environments with evolving priorities.

  • Excellent scientific communication skills and a strong foundation in data integrity practices.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Formulation Platforms: Experience developing advanced or high-concentration formulation platforms for monoclonal antibodies.

  • Process Insight: Understanding of how early formulation choices impact future unit operations like lyophilization or technology transfer.

  • Digital Tools: Experience using Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical analysis (e.g., JMP) to optimize formulation behavior.

  • Leadership Track Record: Experience mentoring junior scientists and building analytical capabilities within a research or development setting.

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

#LI-RH1
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.

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