Clinical Research Assistant- Clinical Operations

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: Clinical Research Assistant

As a Clinical Research Assistant, you will be a key technical member of the clinical execution team at our Fort Dodge site. In this hands-on role, you are responsible for the 'boots on the ground' operational support and technical execution of clinical studies for companion animals. You will serve as a crucial technical bridge between the Study Manager and the clinical team, ensuring that complex experimental procedures are performed with scientific rigor and in compliance with all regulations. Your work in performing clinical procedures, coordinating study events, and ensuring data integrity is fundamental to the success of our R&D pipeline.

Your Responsibilities:

• Execute key clinical study procedures including precise sample collection (blood draws, swabs), vaccinations, and detailed clinical observations for companion animals, adhering to GXP regulations.
• Ensure study integrity and animal welfare by managing blinded study portions, providing technical coverage for critical 'In-Life' events, and using proper animal handling, socialization, and habituation techniques.
• Provide technical support for study operations by reviewing protocols for feasibility, collaborating with Study Managers, and troubleshooting in-life technical events to ensure scientific rigor.
• Maintain high-quality data by accurately executing sample collection, administering test articles, and reviewing raw technical data for consistency and accuracy.
• Participate in a rotating schedule for on-call, weekend, and evening work as required by study needs to ensure continuous coverage and data collection.
  
  

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education: An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Animal Science, Biology) OR a current Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certification.
• Experience: Hands-on experience working with companion animals in a veterinary clinic, research, or similar technical environment.
• Required Skills:
• Clinical Proficiency: Demonstrable skill in common veterinary procedures such as blood collection, vaccinations, and making detailed clinical observations.
• Tools & Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
• Core Competencies: Strong written and verbal communication and a high degree of attention to detail.
• Certification: Must be able to obtain AALAS (American Association of Laboratory Animal Science) Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certification within one year of employment.
  
  

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• Bachelor of Science in a relevant field.
• Advanced interpersonal and conflict management skills.
• Experience working under GXP, USDA, or other regulated environments.
• Demonstrated ability to independently define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  
  

Additional Information:

• Travel: None
• Location: Fort Dodge, IA - On-Site Work Environment
• Schedule: This role requires participation in a rotating on-call schedule for evenings and weekends (approximately every 4-6 weeks) to meet study needs.
  
  

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 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.