Senior Scientist I, Biologics Discovery Sciences - AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist to join AbbVie's dynamic core team within the Discovery Research function. As part of the Biotherapeutic Discovery Production group, you will contribute significantly to advancing biologics drug discovery through your expertise in protein analytics, characterization, engineering, and production.

This role emphasizes the thorough characterization of bispecific modalities using protein and peptide mass spectrometry. Your objective will be to fully characterize lead and candidate molecules, identify molecular liabilities, and advance the most promising candidates. You will not only conduct detailed analyses of final purified molecules but also support the characterization of process intermediates, identifying product-related impurities and modified forms to aid in the development of effective purification processes.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in protein mass spectrometry and a deep understanding of identifying post-translational modifications and disulfide bond structures of biologic molecules. This includes confirming the correct assembly of multispecific molecules. Additionally, you will play a crucial role in developing and implementing new technologies and platforms to enhance the efficiency of the drug-discovery process for multispecific therapeutic proteins, particularly at the intersection of bispecific modalities and the application of LC-MS for product verification.

This position is located at our headquarters in North Chicago, IL.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, develop, and implement new technologies/platforms that improve the efficiency of the overall drug-discovery process for multispecific therapeutic proteins, especially as related to the intersection of bispecific modalities and the use of LC-MS to confirm the identity of correctly assembled products.
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the lab, conducting research independently and managing several projects simultaneously. Autonomously design, execute, and interpret experimental results.
• Optimize workflows to address evolving timelines and priorities by integrating automation into platform methods.
• Contribute to project teams and work effectively across functional groups to help advance programs.
• Stay current with applicable internal/external scientific literature and apply new information in innovative ways to successfully complete work assignments. 
• Routinely demonstrate scientific initiative and creativity in research activities.
• Demonstrates high proficiency across a wide range of relevant technologies.
• Analyze, document, and report data concisely and rigorously.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Analytical Chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience requirements vary based on educational level:
  • For Ph.D. holders: Typically 0-4+ years of experience.
  • For Master's degree holders: Typically 8-10+ years of experience.
  • For Bachelor's degree holders: Typically 10-12+ years of experience.
• Demonstrated skill in identification and mapping of liabilities/PTMs in Biologic Drug Candidate molecules is a must.
• Must be proficient in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis of novel Biotherapeutics, especially as relates to correct disulfide structure and pairing of chains in multispecific modalities.
• Ability to deliver near “real-time” analytical results in order to guide the biotherapeutic candidate production process path is required.
• Deep understanding of Protein Metrics and Mass Hunter analysis software is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee, maintain, and troubleshoot liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation.
• Should possess excellent communication skills and be proficient in presenting in front of groups.

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

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• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

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Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. 

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html 

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html