Research Jobs in Indiana
Research jobs in Indiana are concentrated in Indianapolis, Bloomington, and West Lafayette, where universities, pharmaceutical companies, and life sciences firms drive consistent demand from entry-level research assistants through senior scientists and principal investigators. Eli Lilly and Company, Indiana University, and Purdue University are among the most established research employers in the state, with ongoing hiring across clinical, biomedical, and applied sciences. Indiana's life sciences sector has made it one of the more active Midwest markets for research talent at multiple career stages. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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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.
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.
See All 66 Research Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research JobsResearch Jobs by City in Indiana
Where Indiana roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Job Market in Indiana
A snapshot from current Indiana openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Indiana University16
- Elanco9
- Purdue University9
- Eli Lilly4
- Cook4
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Science & Research
- Education
- Construction & Real Estate
What Indiana Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research jobs across Indiana.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant science, social science, or engineering field required
- Experience with research design, data collection, and statistical analysis methods
- Proficiency in data analysis software such as R, SPSS, SAS, or Python
- Familiarity with IRB protocols and research compliance standards
- Strong written communication skills for preparing reports and grant documentation
- Ability to collaborate across interdisciplinary teams in laboratory or field settings
Research Jobs in Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research in Indiana?
Most research roles in Indiana require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, chemistry, psychology, public health, or a social science. Clinical research coordinators working with human subjects typically need CITI Program certification in human subjects protection, which many Indiana employers require before starting. Graduate degrees open doors to independent or principal investigator roles. Indiana does not issue a single statewide research license, so the credential that matters depends on the specific sector and role.
Which companies hire researchs in Indiana?
Employers hiring researchs in Indiana right now include Indiana University, Elanco, and Purdue University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Indiana's pharmaceutical and life sciences concentration, anchored by companies headquartered or with major operations in the Indianapolis metro, means research hiring here skews heavily toward biomedical, clinical, and applied science roles.
Which Indiana cities have the most research jobs?
Indianapolis, West Lafayette, and Bloomington account for the largest share of research openings in Indiana. Indianapolis drives volume through its pharmaceutical industry and major health systems, Bloomington is anchored by Indiana University's research enterprise, and West Lafayette reflects Purdue University's substantial academic and industry-partnered research activity.
Are there remote research jobs in Indiana?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research roles involve laboratory work, field data collection, or direct participant interaction that requires an on-site presence. About 72% of research openings tied to Indiana are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with availability concentrated in data analysis, research coordination, literature review, and grant writing functions that can be performed independently.
How can I get hired as a research in Indiana with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a paid research assistant or laboratory technician position, which large Indiana employers such as Indiana University, Purdue University, and Eli Lilly and Company post regularly for candidates without prior professional research experience. Undergraduate research programs at Indiana's public universities give early-career candidates direct lab and data experience that employers treat as equivalent to entry-level work history. Completing CITI certification, building a sample data portfolio, and applying to clinical research coordinator or research associate postings at Indiana hospital systems are the most effective moves for candidates with no formal experience.
Where can I find and apply to research jobs in Indiana?
You can find and apply to research jobs in Indiana on Migrate Mate, which lists current Indiana openings across sectors. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and interests, and apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 66 Research Jobs in Indiana
Find roles in Indiana that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Jobs