Director, Bioassay Analytical Development R&D

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 161,000 - 305,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie, based in North Chicago, seeks an experienced Director to guide Bioassay Analytical Development R&D. You will build and lead a high-impact team of scientists and people leaders, drive strategy for potency assays, and ensure rigorous GMP-compliant development across traditional and novel biologics.

The role demands strong leadership, deep expertise in cell-based and binding assays, and collaboration with global partners to advance programs through clinical development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science with extensive related work experience (typically 18 years).
• Master’s Degree or PharmD with extensive related work experience (typically 16 years).
• PhD in Science with at least 10 years of pharma/biotech industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team of up to 10 scientists and people leaders for potency and molecule characterization.
• Provide global interface to structural characterization units to support liabilities and QC attributes.
• Define global development strategy for potency assays across traditional and novel therapies.
• Foster innovative technologies and platformability assessments to streamline testing.
• Oversee GMP-compliant and regulatory affairs, ensuring timely deliverables.
• Mentor NBE talents and manage cross-disciplinary groups across multiple projects.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Communication skills

GMP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Science

Master’s Degree in Science or PharmD

PhD in Science

Job description

Director, Bioassay Analytical Development R&D

• Full-time
• Salary Min: 160500
• Salary Max: 305000
• Workday Global Grade: 21
• Compensation: USD 160,500 - USD 305,000 - yearly

About 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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com . Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube.

Purpose:

For the Biologics Analytical R&D department at the AbbVie site in North Chicago, we are looking for an experienced leader to guide a diverse team of scientists supporting AbbVie's pipeline of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), multispecific antibodies, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs), Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs), tLNPs, Peptides and other biologics. The team develops state-of-the-art, innovative potency assays, including cell-based and binding assays, using the latest technology standards, and drives industry-leading analytical methods and control strategies that advance programs through clinical development.

Responsibilities:

• Build and leads a newly formed team of up to 10 dedicated scientists and people leaders, with recruitment and hiring required to staff the team, in charge of potency and molecule characterization assay development for single and combined biological mode of actions (MoA) as single point of contact and center of excellence in Development Sciences. This includes formulation and process development support, QC-ability assessment of discovery assays, improvement or development of alternative and new assay formats, assay validation, routine testing and tech transfers for early, mid and late-stage development programs e.g. for traditional antibody formats, multispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, ADCs, AOCs, and other biologics, directed against neurological, immunological and oncological diseases, as well as novel complex therapeutic areas such as gene therapies.
• Builds a strong scientific interface to structural characterization units globally and locally to support assessment and elucidation of molecule liabilities and critical quality attributes related to binding and biological activity (structure-function relationship). Supports and guides adjacent organizations with scientific expertise on novel binding and biological activity formats for internal and external programs as global center of excellence (e. g. due diligences, partnered programs).
• Defines and sets the framework for a global development strategy of potency assays for traditional and novel therapeutic areas: assay format of cell-based and binding assays, potency assay implementation, validation and method comparability strategy in a GMP and scientific environment.
• Fosters innovation and implementation of new technologies and platformability assessments in the field of traditional and novel formats such as automation and robotics to streamline development routine testing and cell banking, for early and mid-stage development programs.
• Provides infrastructure, processes and scientific and quality oversight for cell cultivation, critical reagent management, business and compliance processes in assigned area of responsibility, interacts with external service providers (e. g. transfer or co-validation of test methods). Optimizes workflows and collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Holds a strong relationship to program management in the respective area of expertise being accountable for tracking and providing potency assay development deliverables to project teams in time, and supporting generation of early and mid-stage submissions for all NBE Analytical A&D programs (e.g. IND/CTD/Briefing Books etc.). Ensures potency assay and knowledge transfer to commercial organizations. Also serves as R&D subject matter expert for troubleshooting and investigation of NBE pipeline assets.
• Provides leadership, strategic guidance and talent development for groups of highly skilled analytical scientists, and ensures analytical deliverables are achieved within set timelines, budgets and regulatory frameworks.
• Recruit, promote, and retain top talents via coaching and mentoring and assures effective succession planning.
• Collaborates with stakeholders and partner organizations, such as:
  • Discovery for technical transfer or development of MoA assay formats
  • Analytical Leads across sites
  • NBE project teams
  • Outsourcing
  • Analytical Strategy and Operations
  • Operations
• Additional responsibilities:
• Acts as scientific mentor for NBE talents
• Develops long term operating plan for the Bioassay group
• Manages and develops scientific talent across multiple disciplines and projects to address current and future business needs
• Identifies, evaluates and proposes internal and external collaborations to drive scientific innovation and shared learning
• Accountable for compliance with Environmental Health and Safety regulations for the group
• Manages activities within approved external budget
• Implements technical and scientific concepts with demonstrated impact multiple projects. Knows scientific environment sees relevant trends and proposes action to impact the business
• Competent technical and condensed strategic communication to R&D leadership. Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear messages
• Solves difficult and highly complex technical issues in an evolving regulatory landscape
• Strong oral and written communication, negotiating, influencing and leadership skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education in Science related field with extensive (typically 18 years) of related work; Master’s Degree or equivalent education Science or PharmD or equivalent education with extensive (typically 16 years) of related work; PhD in Science or related field with at least 10 years of relevant pharma/biotech industry experience.
• Strong analytical skills, in-depth knowledge, and hands-on experience in cell culture, including the preparation of frozen cell banks for use in cell-based assays, as well as experience with binding assays such as ELISA and Surface Plasmon Resonance.
• Skilled in designing and qualifying in vitro cell-based assays to reflect the molecule’s relevant mode of action.
• Experience in research and/or development environment.
• Strong technical knowledge from early to late stage biopharmaceutical development incl. manufacturing of biologic products and other parenterals.
• Understands the various scientific disciplines needed in pharmaceutical development of biologics drug product (formulation/analytics, manufacturing process development, scale up/transfer, cGMPs, global regulatory requirements, combination product requirements).
• Interacts well with diverse groups within function and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.
• Demonstrated ability to influence others across areas of scientific disciplines.
• Demonstrated record of success leading strategic initiatives and new technology evaluation/implementation.
• Track record of people management and leading matrix teams, motivating highly skilled technical teams in an environment where compliance with standard procedures is required.

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

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
• This job is eligible toparticipatein our long-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodifiedat the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable 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.