Expression Scientist, Biotherapeutics (CHO Cells)

AbbVie Inc.; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine seeks a protein expression scientist to join a fast-paced, high-throughput mammalian cell culture group. You will engineer biologics in CHO cells, perform expression and characterization, and contribute to data digitization and automation efforts.

The role requires leadership experience and the ability to work independently in a multi-disciplinary team, with opportunities for career growth in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field; typically 5+ years (BS) or 2+ years (MS).
• Experience with cell culture and protein production in CHO cells, including thaw, culture, expression, and cryopreservation.
• Process development and optimization in CHO cells.
• Experience with targeted integration, FACS, ddPCR, vector design, and Wave bioreactors is desirable.
• Problem-solving in challenging therapeutic proteins (e.g., poor chain pairing, low expression, aggregation, glycosylation).
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Generate, express, and screen stable CHO lines expressing multispecific biologics.
• Develop and optimize fed-batch bioreactor and shake flask expressions.
• Handle stable CHO pool lines including thaw, culture, expression, and cryopreservation.
• Apply targeted integration using single-cell FACS screening.
• Characterize copy number and mRNA levels using ddPCR and related tools.
• Leverage automation platforms and high-throughput workflows to boost efficiency.
• Contribute to data digitization and reporting; work independently on experiments.

Skills

Cell culture

Protein expression

Bioprocess development

FACS

ddPCR

Automation & data capture

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in biology/chemistry/biochemistry

Tools

FACS

ddPCR

Wave bioreactors

Job description

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine seeks a protein expression scientist to join a fast-paced, high-throughput mammalian cell culture group. You will engineer biologics in CHO cells, perform expression and characterization, and contribute to data digitization and automation efforts.

The role requires leadership experience and the ability to work independently in a multi-disciplinary team, with opportunities for career growth in immunology, oncology, and neuroscience projects.