Scientist II Full-time

Scientist II

The Toxins group within the Product Development, Science & Technology (PDS&T) – Biologics organization supports manufacturing, process validation, regulatory submission, and continuous improvement for late-stage and commercial manufacturing of biological toxin products at AbbVie. This role involves leveraging scientific and bioengineering principles to develop bioassays for analytical testing at drug substance and drug product release and stability time points. The candidate must possess in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in a range of techniques, including but not limited to molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, PCR, Western blot, protein expression, purification, bioassay, transfection, and laboratory automation platforms. Moreover, excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in a multi-disciplinary and cross-functional team environment are essential for success in this role.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop, program, operate, and troubleshoot robotic automation platforms, including Hamilton STAR liquid handlers and Opentrons, to support high-throughput screening and testing.
• Lead scientific initiatives by generating innovative technical ideas and strategic approaches to advance research goals and address experimental challenges.
• Demonstrate strong scientific judgment by aligning research activities with project objectives and adapting experimental plans based on new data, evolving priorities, and project developments.
• Design, execute, and interpret complex experiments using rigorous, reproducible methodologies. Develop, optimize, and implement novel experimental protocols by leveraging emerging technologies to advance scientific progress and resolve technical issues.
• Maintain current expertise in relevant scientific and technical disciplines and apply best practices from current literature to experimental design, troubleshooting, and method development.
• Establish and manage experimental timelines, track progress closely, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones through strong organization and time-management.
• Draft, review, and edit SOPs, technical reports, publications, presentations, and patent applications in accordance with industry and regulatory standards.
• Communicate scientific concepts, experimental data, and key findings effectively to cross-functional teams and stakeholders through clear written and oral presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent education, with typically 7 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 5 years if experience, or equivalent education, with typically 2 years of relevant experience in Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biochemical or Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with scripting and programming robotic liquid handlers (e.g., Hamilton STAR and Opentrons) and proficiency in software platforms like VENUS and Python.
• Experience translating manual cell-based assays, including ELISA and potency assays, into automated workflows.
• Practical experience with molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, PCR, Western blotting, bioassays, and transfection procedures.
• Knowledgeable in genome editing approaches, including CRISPR/Cas9, with a solid understanding of experimental design, execution, and validation of gene-editing studies.
• Experience in optimizing and qualifying cell-based potency assays, including sample testing.
• Strong computer skills essential for scientific research, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and advanced data analysis. Ability to analyze, interpret, and present complex datasets using scientific software such as Python, R, and JMP.
• Previous GxP experience and attention to detail in documentation preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, solve problems creatively, develop comprehensive experimental plans, and independently troubleshoot and validate results.
• Ability to stay current with scientific advances, critically evaluate relevant literature, and rapidly incorporate new concepts and techniques into research activities.
• Detail-oriented, with a proven ability to generate high-quality, reproducible data within tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams and communicate complex scientific concepts clearly in both verbal and written formats.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to scientific discovery, continuous learning, and process improvement.
• Experience developing and optimizing these models for research or drug discovery applications is highly desirable.

Pay Range: $75000 – 142500 USD