Associate Scientist II – Cell Line Development Full-time

Job Opportunity At 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.

The Biologics CMC Development team at AbbVie in the Bay Area has a long and rich history of biologics development. Located in a new state of the art facility in South San Francisco, the team leverages its comprehensive end-to-end CMC capabilities to work collaboratively through all phases of CMC development with a primary focus on advancing complex biologic therapies, such as bi-specifics and novel modalities, to human clinical studies and eventual licensure.

The Cell Line Development Group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking an Associate Scientist II to join a talented and collaborative team developing CHO cell lines for GMP applications. In this laboratory position the candidate will perform hands-on CHO cell line development for pipeline assets and support the establishment of automation capabilities in the group to increase throughput. The successful candidate will contribute to the evaluation and implementation of an automated liquid handler for cell culture workflows.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform CHO cell line development, including transfection, selection, single cell subcloning, growth and productivity screening, cell banking and stability assessment of cell banks.
• Support the evaluation and implementation of liquid handlers like Tecan, Biomek or Hamilton for cell culture workflows.
• Culture mammalian cells across multiple scales and formats, from 96-well plates up to shake flasks.
• Operate instruments like ViCell automated cell counter, Octet, Clone Select Imager, microscope, HPLC, Ambr®15, Beacon, SONY flow cytometer and liquid handlers (Tecan, Biomek and Hamilton). Share responsibility for equipment maintenance.
• Co-author cell line development technical reports that meet expectations of regulatory agencies for all stages from IND to BLA.
• Collaborate closely with cell culture, purification, analytical and formulation development colleagues to meet project timelines.
• Actively support opportunities to execute improvements to the cell line development workflow, including automation, assessment of new technologies and equipment.
• May generate data for internal or external conferences or consortia.
• Display effective organization, verbal and written communication skills, and adherence to good documentation practices.

Required:

• Associate Scientist II: BS with a minimum of 3 years or MS with no minimum of experience.
• Proficient in aseptic mammalian cell culture techniques. Understanding of cell biology and bioprocess engineering concepts.

• Familiarity with lab automation. Prior experience in scripting, operating and troubleshooting liquid handlers like Tecan, Biomek and Hamilton for automated, high throughput cell culture activities.
• Previous experience developing automated high throughput solutions in cell line development or cell culture process development to improve process efficiency.
• Must enjoy a hands-on laboratory-focused role in a CMC multidisciplinary team with excellent attention to detail and detailed daily record keeping proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to independently generate precise, reliable and reproducible data promptly.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, understand and master new experimental techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within and outside of the group.
• Demonstrated ability to co-author technical reports and presentations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software and able to learn new software applications for frequently used instruments like, Beacon, CSI, Sony MA900, Octet analyzer software. Able to multi-task and work within timelines.
• Strong communication skills – verbal, written, scientific data presentation.

Preferred:

• Programming/data science languages skills, such as R, Python, and SQL.
• Prior experience performing statistical analysis and visualization using JMP, SIMCA, Spotfire and Power BI.
• Experience handling ambr15 operation, Beacon and flow sorter

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.