Scientist I, Multi-Specifics Expression Full-time

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine Scientist

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine is an integrated, global discovery organization responsible for biotherapeutics drug research across disease areas including immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. Our scope includes the discovery of innovative biologic medicines from the early exploratory stage and their support through clinical development. We are growing a world-class team of scientists and leaders who will drive the discovery and advancement of innovative biologic-based therapies. Careers in AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine provide unique opportunities to work with cross-functional teams that drive exceptional science and deliver innovative medicines to patients. We are looking for diverse candidates with strong scientific and leadership experience to join the team and can offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities for these candidates.

The Biotherapeutics Production group at AbbVie is seeking an experienced protein expression scientist to join a fast paced, high throughput, large scale mammalian expression group. This role will focus on CHO cell line engineering biologics, protein expression, and characterization of complex biotherapeutics, including multi-specific, while incorporating modern capabilities in automation and data digitization to enable efficient and scalable workflows. The Biotherapeutics mammalian expression group supports research scale (1 to 200L) expression of biologics in support of AbbVie's worldwide drug discovery efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Expression of novel multi-specific biologics formats to support therapeutic area drug discovery projects.
• Generation and screening of stable CHO cell lines with optimized attributes (i.e. titer, monomer, chain-pairing) using 2 or more vectors.
• Determine optimal chain ratio for 3- and 4-chain molecules in CHO cells using multiple selection strategies and process optimization.
• Process development and optimization for batch and fed-batch bioreactor and shake flask expressions of stable CHO cell lines expressing complex multi-chain molecules.
• Characterization of stable CHO line copy number and mRNA transcript levels using ddPCR and related molecular tools.
• Apply targeted integration technologies using screening workflows, including FACS-based single-cell sorting to generate mini pools.
• Implement and leverage automation platforms and high-throughput workflows to increase efficiency.
• Contribute to data digitization efforts, including electronic data capture, analysis, and reporting.
• Troubleshoot challenges related to expression, stability, glycosylation, aggregation, and chain pairing.
• Purification and biophysical characterization of analytical scale expression samples, using analytical HPLC to evaluate titer, monomer, and chain pairing efficiency.
• Work independently on the design, execution, and interpretation of experimental results.
• Analyze, document, and report data concisely and rigorously.
• Handling stable CHO pools and cell lines including thaw, culture, expression and cryopreservation.

Qualifications:

*Position will be hired based on level of experience and education

• Bachelors or Master's in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field with typically 5+ (BS) or 2+ (MS) years of experience.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture and expression of monoclonal antibodies, bi-specifics and multi-specifics in CHO cells lines including thaw, culture, expression and cryopreservation.
• Prior experience in generation of stable CHO cell lines expressing complex multi-specific molecules.
• Prior experience in process development, process optimization, and automation.
• Experience with analytical characterization of multi-specifics desirable.
• Experience with targeted integration, FACS, and ddPCR desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency in vector design is desirable.
• Prior experience in mammalian expression using Wave bioreactors desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency in overcoming problems (i.e. poor chain pairing, low expression, aggregation, glycosylation) with challenging therapeutic multi-specific proteins desirable.

Where We Work:

Role is exclusively performed at a site or office and onsite presence is required. Employees who are site/office-based and can occasionally perform their role virtually work both in the office and remotely*, following the policies and regulations in place at their location. US Employees must be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Three days in the office is the minimum; some individuals or teams may require more in-office days due to meetings, business/project needs or their role.