Principal Research Scientist I, Process Chemistry

Allergan; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in North Chicago, IL is seeking a Principal Research Scientist to advance biocatalysis-driven API process development for small molecules, peptides and ADCs. You will lead efforts across enzyme discovery, directed evolution, and AI/ML-guided optimization to enable scalable manufacturing.

The role requires deep expertise in biocatalysis and synthetic chemistry, strong collaboration, and leadership to guide cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS in chemistry or related field with practical biocatalysis experience.
• Hands-on enzyme screening, expression, and biocatalytic transformations.
• Experience with AI/ML data science for synthesis problems.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to setting and implementing strategies for solving complex synthetic problems via biocatalysis.
• Identify and design enzymes; apply recombinant DNA techniques and directed evolution.
• Leverage AI/ML, bioinformatics, and high-throughput experimentation to accelerate development.
• Lead project teams for process development and characterization of APIs.
• Connect ideas to generate new concepts and opportunities.
• Author and review technical reports, patents, and publications; present findings.

Skills

Biocatalysis

Enzyme screening

Recombinant DNA techniques

Protein expression

AI/ML methods

Synthetic organic chemistry

Leadership & collaboration

Education

Chemistry degree (BS/MS/PhD)

Tools

HTE platforms

Job description

Company Description

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.

Job Description

The ProcessChemistrygroup is responsible for inventing and executing the chemical processesforpreparing active pharmaceuticalingredients(API) to enable toxicology studies, clinical trials, and drug product development for AbbVie’s pre-clinical and clinical candidates. We create valuable intellectual property through composition of matter, chemical processes, and technology,resulting in the development of safe and cost-effective commercial manufacturing processes.

AbbVie is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Principal Research ScientistItocontribute tochemical process research and developmentof small molecules, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, and other modalitiesviaexpertisein biocatalysis.The selected candidate willcontribute tothe development of biocatalytic processes for the scalable synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs),enzyme discovery,directed evolution campaigns,and application ofAI/MLtoolsfor the discovery and optimization of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.Deep expertise inbiocatalysis,astrong foundation insynthetic organic chemistry, and the technical versatility to integrate modern computational and high-throughput experimentation tools into process developmentis required for this role.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to thesetting andimplementation of strategiesfor solvingcomplexsyntheticproblems in process development,via implementation ofbiocatalytic methods.

• Contribute to theidentification and design of enzymes, application ofrecombinant DNA techniques, heterologous protein expression, and directed evolution methodologies to engineer biocatalysts with improved activity, selectivity, and stability in support of novel or improved synthetic transformations for API process development.

• Leverage AI/ML tools, bioinformatics platforms, and high-throughput experimentation (HTE) to accelerate enzyme screening, optimization, and process development cycles.

• Participate in and/or lead project teams associated with process development and characterization forsmall molecules,peptides, antibody-drug conjugates,and other modalities.

• Connect unrelated concepts to generate new ideasand always be on the lookout for the next big win.

• Author and review technical reports, regulatory documents, patents, and scientific publications,present findings at internal and external scientific forums.

• Understand and adhere to corporate standards regardingGxPcompliance, code of conduct, safety, and appropriate handling of materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD Degree inorganicchemistry with typically 14+ (BS), 12+ (MS) or6+ (PhD) years of experience.

• Expertise insynthetic organic chemistry with demonstrated hands-on experience inbiocatalysis, including enzyme screening, characterization, and application to synthetic transformations.

• Proficiency inrecombinant DNA techniquesand protein expression for enzyme production and engineering.

• Experience withhigh-throughput experimentation (HTE)platforms and data analysis workflows for rapid enzyme identification and reaction optimization.

• Demonstrated ability to employ AI/MLanddata science approaches to solve complexchemical synthesis problems.

• Demonstrated ability ininnovating new chemical and automation technologies.

• Proven scientific leadership; strong interpersonal and communication skills for facilitating collaborations.

• Experience insyntheticmoleculeprocess development.

Additional Information

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 thisposting 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 anduntil 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.

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

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

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