Senior Scientist I, Purification Process Development Full-time

Senior Scientist I

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.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist I to join the Purification Process Development group within the Operations Product Development Science & Technology – Biologics organization. Our group is responsible for purification process development across early- and late-stage of therapeutic proteins at AbbVie Bioresearch Center in Worcester, MA. As one of leaders in the Purification Development group, this is a dynamic role which will drive the development and transfer of robust and effective purification processes for IND and BLA-enabling programs. In addition, the ideal candidate will develop and apply next generation technologies (i.e. laboratory automation / robotics, modeling, advanced data analysis) and outside-of-the-box thinking to drive efficiency of the purification lab, platforms, and strategies. The candidate will also coordinate and lead purification development activities within cross-functional CMC teams with a collaborative and progressive mindset.

This position is an onsite role in a lab-based function. To be successful candidates must enjoy and thrive in an onsite, highly collaborative lab environment with daily face-to-face cross-functional interactions between scientists.

Responsibilities

• Development, optimization, scale-up, and tech transfer of purification processes for biologics candidates to support early and late-stage development
• Maintain a high level of productivity and accuracy in the lab
• Demonstrate creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve difficult problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals.
• Proactively seek out new tools, techniques, and strategies to implement into the overall downstream platform, specifically with respect to the use of lab automation, robotics, and the use of next gen data analytics tools (ML/AI).
• Represent purification development team and actively influence development strategy on cross-functional CMC teams
• Work efficiently, collaboratively, and cross-functionally toward project timelines and goals
• Transfer processes to pilot and GMP manufacturing
• Work with contract labs and carry out viral clearance studies
• Write technical publications, reports, presentations, and regulatory filings including publishing research in peer-reviewed journals and presenting work at scientific conferences
• Mentor and train junior scientists

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry or other sciences
• Bachelor's degree + typically 10 or more years of experience OR Masters + typically 8 or more years of experience, OR a PhD with no experience
• Must have expertise in developing standard bioprocess unit operations such as chromatography separations (resin/membrane: affinity, CEX, AEX, HIC, MM) and/or filtration operations (depth filtration, virus filtration, sterile filtration, TFF)
• Able to independently design, execute, and interpret laboratory experiments to answer scientific questions
• Able to independently learn, understand and execute novel/advanced scientific techniques
• Must have excellent attention to detail and ability to keep detailed electronic lab notebook records
• Proven record of authoring publications, technical reports, regulatory documents, and presentations
• Has strong communication skills including verbal, written, and scientific data presentation
• Has proficiency with Microsoft Office software, ability to learn new software applications

Preferred:

• Proficient in writing methods and operating AKTA chromatographic instruments (such as AKTA Avant, AKTA Purifier, AKTA Pure, AKTA Ready or similar)
• Experience with automated or robotic liquid handling systems (TECAN, Hamilton, or other) for high-throughput experimentation or sample handling and capable of driving the design of experiments using these systems.
• Experience with analytical techniques, such as HPLC or ELISA and integration of these methods with automation tools.

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

• 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.

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.