Principal Research Scientist I, Process Chemistry (Biocatalysis)

University of Georgia- FACS; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

401(k)

Long-term incentive plans

Job summary

AbbVie’s Process Chemistry group advances API manufacturing for pre-clinical and clinical candidates, applying biocatalysis and innovative synthetic methods to deliver safe, cost-effective processes.

The role focuses on solving complex synthetic challenges, leveraging AI/ML, HTE, and recombinant DNA techniques to engineer biocatalysts, while collaborating across teams to file patents and regulatory documents.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS/BS in organic chemistry with significant experience.
• Hands-on biocatalysis with enzyme screening and synthetic transformations.
• Recombinant DNA techniques and protein expression experience.
• Experience with HT E platforms and data analysis workflows.
• Experience applying AI/ML and data science to synthesis problems.
• Ability to innovate chemical and automation technologies.
• Proven scientific leadership and collaboration skills.
• Experience in synthetic molecule process development.

Responsibilities

• Set and implement strategies to solve complex synthetic problems in process development with biocatalysis.
• Identify and design enzymes using recombinant DNA techniques and directed evolution.
• Apply AI/ML, bioinformatics, and high-throughput experimentation to accelerate enzyme screening.
• Lead project teams for process development and characterization across multiple modalities.
• Generate novel ideas by connecting unrelated concepts to seek the next big win.
• Publish and review technical reports, patents, and publications; present findings.

Skills

Biocatalysis

Recombinant DNA techniques

High-throughput experimentation

AI/ML usage

Process development leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in organic chemistry

Master's degree in organic chemistry

PhD in organic chemistry

Tools

HTE platforms

Data analysis workflows

Job description

ICompany 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 Process Chemistry group is responsible for inventing and executing the chemical processes for preparing active pharmaceutical ingredients (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.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the setting and implementation of strategies for solving complex synthetic problems in process development, via implementation of biocatalytic methods.
• Contribute to the identification and design of enzymes, application of recombinant 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 for small molecules, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, and other modalities.
• Connect unrelated concepts to generate new ideas and 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 regarding GxP compliance, code of conduct, safety, and appropriate handling of materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD Degree in organic chemistry with typically 14+ (BS), 12+ (MS) or 6+ (PhD) years of experience.
• Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with demonstrated hands-on experience in biocatalysis, including enzyme screening, characterization, and application to synthetic transformations.
• Proficiency in recombinant DNA techniques and protein expression for enzyme production and engineering.
• Experience with high-throughput experimentation (HTE) platforms and data analysis workflows for rapid enzyme identification and reaction optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to employ AI/ML and data science approaches to solve complex chemical synthesis problems.
• Demonstrated ability in innovating new chemical and automation technologies.
• Proven scientific leadership; strong interpersonal and communication skills for facilitating collaborations.
• Experience in synthetic molecule process development.

Additional Information

• 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 thisposting 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 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 anduntil 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.

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.htmlI