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

As of Sep 15, 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?

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 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.
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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 September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,545 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Senior Scientist -Technical Services, Downstream Process Improvement

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Elanco Animal Health Incorporatedexternal

$87K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Re-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

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 / Optimization
Elanco is seeking a Senior Scientist, Downstream Process Development to lead purification process development and optimization for biologic drug substances, focusing on enhancing process robustness and reducing costs for molecules from bench-scale through commercial manufacturing. This role requires hands-on experience with purification processes like chromatography and filtration, partnering cross-functionally to ensure successful tech transfer, implementation, and regulatory support in a fast-paced environment.
Your Responsibilities
  • Process Improvement & Development: Lead downstream process unit operation improvement programs for manufactured biologics, developing and optimizing purification processes using phase-appropriate strategies and QbD principles.
  • Experimental Design & Scale-Up: Design and execute bench- and pilot-scale studies, including scale-down model development, process scale-up, and providing manufacturing support.
  • Technical Oversight & Strategy: Support risk assessments, control strategy development, stage-gate reviews, and technical decision-making for biologic drug substance programs.
  • Documentation & Regulatory Compliance: Author and review technical reports, process development documents, tech transfer packages, and CMC regulatory submissions, while supporting responses to regulatory agencies.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & SME: Partner with R&D, MS&T, Manufacturing, Quality, and external CDMOs to ensure successful tech transfer and adoption of process improvements, serving as a downstream process development subject matter expert.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, chemical engineering, or a related scientific discipline with 10+ years of related pharmaceutical experience.
  • Extensive hands-on experience in downstream biologics process development, including the optimization and scale-up of purification processes for various protein-based drug substances.
  • Strong understanding of key downstream unit operations such as chromatography, filtration, UF/DF, TFF, polishing steps, viral clearance, process characterization, and scale-down model development.
  • Proven experience contributing to CMC/regulatory filing activities, including technical reports, process descriptions, tech transfer documents, and responses to regulatory agency questions.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge
  • Master's or PhD highly preferred
  • Experience with mammalian cell culture-derived biologic products
  • Understanding of GMP, Quality by Design, DoE principles, 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.
  • Animal health industry experience.

Additional Information:
  • Travel: <10%
  • Location: Indianapolis, IN

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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