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How much do senior scientist downstream process development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior scientist downstream process development in the United States is $110,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,500.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development do?

A Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development focuses on developing, optimizing, and scaling up processes to purify biological products such as proteins or antibodies after cell culture (the 'downstream' part of biomanufacturing). They design experiments, analyze data, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance. Their role is critical in moving biopharmaceutical products from research to commercial production by ensuring efficient and robust purification processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Scientist in Downstream Process Development, you need advanced knowledge in bioprocess engineering, protein purification, and process scale-up, typically supported by a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in a relevant field. Expertise with chromatography systems (such as AKTA), analytical instrumentation, and familiarity with regulatory requirements like GMP are essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for developing robust, scalable processes that meet quality standards and drive successful product development.

What is the salary of a senior scientist?

The salary of a Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development typically ranges from $90,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior scientists often have advanced degrees and specialized skills in bioprocessing, which can influence compensation levels.

How much does a process development scientist make?

A process development scientist typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and the specific industry. Salaries in California tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for biotech and pharmaceutical expertise.

What is the highest paid type of scientist?

In general, specialized scientists such as pharmaceutical scientists, biotechnologists, and those in executive or leadership roles tend to have the highest salaries. Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development professionals with extensive experience and advanced skills in bioprocessing and GMP environments can also command high compensation, especially in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Scientists in Downstream Process Development, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Scientists in Downstream Process Development often encounter challenges such as optimizing purification processes for novel biologics, scaling up from lab to production scale, and ensuring product consistency and regulatory compliance. Addressing these challenges typically involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, continuous process optimization, and staying current with industry advancements in chromatography and filtration technologies. Proactive problem-solving, effective communication, and leveraging data analytics are also key strategies for overcoming obstacles in this role.

What is a downstream process scientist?

A downstream process scientist specializes in the purification and formulation of biopharmaceutical products after they are produced in bioreactors. They develop and optimize methods such as filtration, chromatography, and centrifugation to ensure product quality and compliance with regulatory standards. This role often requires knowledge of bioprocessing tools, laboratory techniques, and quality control procedures.
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Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Scientist Downstream Process Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.
Senior Scientist, Downstream Process Development

Senior Scientist, Downstream Process Development

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

$87K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 71 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 Scientist, Downstream Process Development
Elanco is seeking a Senior Scientist, Downstream Process Development to lead purification process development for biologic drug substances, with a focus on monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, and mammalian cell culture-derived biologics.
This role will support programs from bench and pilot scale through process scale-up, technology transfer, process characterization, GMP manufacturing implementation, clinical material production, and CMC/regulatory filing support.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing and optimizing downstream purification processes, including chromatography and filtration-based unit operations such as Protein A or affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, polishing steps, viral clearance or viral inactivation, depth filtration, UF/DF, TFF, and scale-down model development.
You will partner closely with R&D, TS/MS, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and external CDMOs to ensure successful process transfer, implementation, and commercialization. This role requires strong technical judgment, clear communication, and the ability to lead cross-functional work in a fast-paced biologics development environment.
Your Responsibilities
  • Lead downstream process development for early- and late-stage biologic programs, including monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, and other biologic modalities.
  • Develop and optimize purification processes using phase-appropriate strategies, QbD principles, and process characterization approaches.
  • Design and execute bench- and pilot-scale studies, including scale-down model development, process scale-up, and manufacturing support.
  • Support risk assessments, control strategy development, stage-gate reviews, and technical decision-making for biologic drug substance programs.
  • Author and review technical reports, process development documents, tech transfer packages, and CMC source documents for regulatory submissions.
  • Support responses to CMC questions from regulatory agencies.
  • Partner with R&D, TS/MS, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Launch Teams, and external CDMOs to ensure successful tech transfer, clinical material production, and commercialization.
  • Serve as a downstream process development subject matter expert for internal teams, manufacturing sites, and external partners.

What You Need to Succeed
  • MSc or PhD in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, chemical engineering, or a related scientific discipline. Equivalent experience may be considered.
  • PhD with 7+ years or MSc with 12+ years of experience in downstream biologics process development, preferably with mammalian cell culture-derived biologic products.
  • Hands-on experience developing and optimizing downstream purification processes for biologic drug substances, including monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins, or other protein-based biologic modalities.
  • Experience supporting late-stage development, process scale-up, technology transfer, and implementation into GMP manufacturing.
  • Experience contributing to CMC/regulatory filing activities, including technical reports, source documents, process descriptions, tech transfer documents, or responses to regulatory agency questions.
  • Strong understanding of downstream unit operations such as chromatography, filtration, UF/DF, TFF, polishing steps, viral clearance or viral inactivation, process characterization, and scale-down model development.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge
  • Strong understanding of GMP, Quality by Design, process characterization, control strategy development, and risk assessment principles.
  • Demonstrated success developing, scaling, transferring, or commercializing biologics, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or other complex biological products.
  • Experience working with internal manufacturing teams, TS/MS, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Launch Teams, and external CDMOs.
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional technical teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate ambiguity, and communicate complex technical information through clear writing and presentations.
  • Experience with AI/ML applications in process development is a plus.
  • Animal health experience is advantageous but not required.

Additional Information:
  • Travel: 10-20% (domestic and international)
  • Location: Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment

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:
  • 8-week parental leave

  • 9 Employee Resource Groups

  • Annual bonus offering

  • Up to 6% 401K matching

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.

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