Future opportunities- Join our talent community for Antibody Drug Conjugate Scientists

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking an experienced leader in process chemistry to advance drug-conjugate programs from preclinical to late-stage development. The role will drive conjugation chemistry and downstream unit operations, serve as the chemistry partner on the Drug Substance team, and mentor junior staff across cross-functional projects.

You will collaborate with analytical, manufacturing and CMC teams, develop timelines, author regulatory documents, and ensure compliance with safety and GXP standards.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and collaboration across teams.
• Strong communication for cross-functional process development.
• Experience in drug-conjugate process development.
• Regulatory starting material strategies understanding.

Responsibilities

• Participate on and/or lead process development and characterization for new drug conjugates.
• Develop and characterize drug-conjugate processes in lab and scale to production.
• Lead cross-functional teams to enable CMC deliverables (materials, methods, milestones).
• Author and review regulatory documents, data, and reports.
• Collaborate with organic/analytical engineers and program management to advance candidates.
• Ensure compliance with code of conduct, safety, and GXP.
• Possibly supervise direct reports and mentor staff.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Interpersonal communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project leadership

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Chemistry or related field

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 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.co.uk. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013, following separation from Abbott. AbbVie combines the focus and passion of a leading-edge biotech with the expertise and capabilities of a long-established pharmaceutical leader, to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. AbbVie employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries.

AbbVie Process Chemistry is responsible for the chemical development of AbbVie’s clinical candidates. We are seeking experienced candidates to conduct process research and development of drug conjugates from pre-clinical through clinical development.

We are looking for a highly motivated person who can make scientific contributions across synthetic molecule modalities, with a focus on driving the development of drug-conjugate programs from preclinical to late‑stage development. Roles and responsibilities will be commensurate with experience and could range from contributions as an individual member on project teams developing Drug Substance processes to leading cross functional project teams establishing CMC program strategy for clinical assets. The candidate will lead in the development of conjugation chemistry as well as downstream unit operations culminating in drug substance. The candidate will serve as the chemistry representative on the Drug Substance team for drug‑conjugate development programs and would be responsible for developing timelines and executing activities required for drug substance. Working with analytical and manufacturing colleagues, the candidate will develop productive collaborations and communications with scientific teams. The role may also have supervisory responsibilities focused on the mentoring and development of direct reports which may be working on aligned or alternate programs.

Responsibilities

• The candidate will participate on and/or lead activities associated with process development and characterization for new drug conjugates.
• Develop and characterize drug‑conjugate (and other modalities) processes in the laboratory and translate them to scalable processes.
• Participate on and/or lead project teams to enable CMC deliverables (materials, methods, milestones).
• Author and review key regulatory documents, laboratory data, technical reports and internal/external presentations and publications.
• The position involves multi‑disciplinary interactions with organic chemists, analytical chemists, engineers, drug product development, and program management. The selected candidate will collaborate with and/or lead cross‑functional CMC teams to advance pre‑clinical and clinical candidates.
• The candidate will understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety and GXP compliance.
• The candidate may supervise one or more direct reports that may be associated with other programs but be fully responsible for their mentorship and career development.

Qualifications

• Minimally BS (12+ years); MS (10+ years) or PhD (4+ years) in Chemistry or allied field, with 2+ years of previous work experience in a pharmaceutical laboratory setting.
• Experience in drug‑conjugate process development is a requirement.
• Proven scientific leadership; strong interpersonal and communication skills for facilitating collaborations and a demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional process development teams.
• The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of modern organic chemistry, mechanistic theory, control strategy development, and regulatory starting material strategies.

Additional Information

Multiple times, we have been globally recognized as a "Great Place to Work" and we are proud to provide our employees with the flexibility to maintain a healthy work‑life balance. We take our impact on the environment and our communities seriously and therefore focus on giving something back on a regular basis. We are committed to equality, equity, diversity and inclusion (EED&I) – a commitment that is fundamental to us. This includes appreciating different perspectives, creating an inclusive culture and treating all employees with dignity and respect.

At AbbVie, your individual contributions count – help us move mountains together. Be a part of our success, grow with us and accomplish more than you could have imagined.

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.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

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https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html