Senior Scientist I / II, Drug Delivery Modeling & Simulation

AbbVie; Irvine; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A pharmaceutical company is seeking a Senior Scientist I or II to advance drug delivery capabilities. Candidates should have a PhD in Chemical Engineering and experience in modeling and simulation. The role involves developing models for drug release and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This position is based in Irvine, UK, and offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick)

Short-term and long-term incentive programs

Qualifications

• PhD with 0-4 years experience for Senior Scientist I or 4+ years for Senior Scientist II.
• Proficiency in relevant modeling and simulation software.
• Prior experience with drug delivery systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanistic models for drug release kinetics.
• Design and analyze computational simulations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on product development.

Skills

Strong foundation in mass transport phenomena

Expertise in mathematical modeling and simulation

Excellent problem-solving skills

Able to work collaboratively

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

Job description

Company Description

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.

Job Description

As Senior Scientist I or II in AbbVie Drug Delivery Sciences, you will work as a key part of a talented, multidisciplinary, and cross‑functional team to build cutting‑edge capabilities for the delivery of biologics and small molecules and advance new products through early R&D. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD Chemical Engineer specializing in the modeling and simulation of drug release kinetics in advanced drug delivery systems. The successful candidate will apply first‑principles understanding to design, optimize, and analyze drug delivery platforms, utilizing quantitative models to predict and control drug release profiles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply mechanistic models for drug release kinetics from various sustained drug delivery platforms (e.g., in situ forming depots, implants, hydrogels, etc.,).
• Employ first‑principles approaches (e.g., diffusion, convection, chemical reaction theories) to solve complex transport problems relevant to drug delivery formulations.
• Design, execute, and analyze computational simulations using tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics or similar platforms.
• Collaborate with formulation and material scientists, and pharmacologists, to translate modeling results into experimental design and product development.
• Interpret experimental release data and integrate findings into enhanced models for predictive accuracy.
• Communicate findings through technical reports, publications, and presentations

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering
• Senior Scientist I: PhD with 0 - 4 years of relevant experience (industry, post‑docs, or academia).
• Senior Scientist II: PhD with 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong foundation in mass transport phenomena (diffusion, dissolution, convection, degradation).
• Demonstrated expertise in mathematical modeling and simulation of controlled release mechanisms.
• Proficiency in relevant modeling and simulation software (COMSOL Multiphysics, Monte Carlo methods or equivalent)
• Excellent problem‑solving, quantitative, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Prior experience with drug delivery system design and evaluation is preferred.

Leadership Competencies

• Deals comfortably with risk and ambiguity, changing course when needed.
• Lives AbbVie values. Acts consistently with our ethics, obligations, and the law.
• Acts respectfully yet courageously.
• Communicates openly and honestly with all colleagues.
• Look outside AbbVie for new ideas to stimulate innovation.
• Connects unrelated concepts, generates original or unique ideas.
• Persistent and resilient – finds the way to move good ideas forward.

Additional Information

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

• This is an on‑site opportunity located in AbbVie's Irvine, CA location.
• 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.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑term incentive programs

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 and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

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