Scientific Technical Lead, Late Stage CMC

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a data science and AI-focused professional to join our PDST team. You will shape process intelligence and predictive analytics for late-stage biologics, driving model development that supports robust control strategies and regulatory-ready submissions.

You will lead data infrastructure efforts for technology transfer, collaborate across sites, and ensure governance and scalable analytics. A strong background in Python, ML, and GxP is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related discipline with 7 years’ experience in IT and application program development; or Master's Degree with 6 years; or PhD with 2 years.
• Hands-on experience building and deploying data science or machine learning solutions in a scientific or engineering-intensive environment.
• Expert-level Python proficiency; deep familiarity with the scientific Python ecosystem (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow, modern data engineering (cloud, big data, pipeline orchestration)).
• Strong foundation in business analytics, with mastery of tools such as R, Dataiku, AWS SageMaker, Spark, Tableau.
• Strong foundation in data science methods, statistical modeling, experimental design, multivariate analysis, and uncertainty quantification.
• Familiarity with knowledge graph, retrieval-augmented, or orchestrated AI/LLM-based systems applied to scientific or technical domains.
• Experience applying data science in a GxP-regulated environment, with working knowledge of FDA/EMA expectations for process validation, continued process verification (CPV), and control strategy.
• Familiarity with MLOps principles, model lifecycle management, or deployment of analytical tools in regulated or enterprise environments.
• Ownership orientation: you define your own problem space, drive solutions to completion, and hold yourself accountable to outcomes.
• Solution-architect instinct: you think before you build, consider the full landscape, and choose fit-for-purpose tools.

Responsibilities

• Process Intelligence & Predictive Analytics: design, build, and deploy predictive models to support process robustness and commercial validation.
• Develop multivariate and time-series models to identify parameter interactions and predict drift.
• Apply advanced statistical and ML methods to characterize bioprocess behavior and establish design spaces.
• Build golden batch frameworks and optimization models across sites and time.
• Technology Transfer & Cross-Site Analytics: develop data infrastructure and tools enabling data-driven tech transfer from development to manufacturing.
• Build cross-site intelligence systems to compare data across sites and equipment trains.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality to define data requirements and ensure analytics continuity.
• Solution Architecture & AI Strategy: serve as a solution architect for AI initiatives, select modeling approaches, and ensure robust deployment standards.
• Contribute to PDST AI roadmap by scoping high-value opportunities and infrastructure needs.
• Data Strategy & Governance: define data strategy for late-stage biologics, ensure data quality, integration, and compliance.
• Foster data literacy and modeling best practices across PDST’s stakeholder community.
• Document and version-control models, analyses, and data assets per regulatory expectations.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Scientific Leadership: translate analytics into clear narratives for manufacturing, quality, and executives.
• Mentor junior scientists and analysts; promote scientific rigor and credibility.

Skills

Python

NumPy

Pandas

Scikit-learn

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Cloud data engineering

Data pipelines

R

Dataiku

SageMaker

Spark

Tableau

GxP knowledge

MLOps

Model deployment

Ownership

Solution-architect

Scientific integrity

Bias for impact

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related

Master's Degree with 6+ years

PhD with 2+ years

Tools

Dataiku

AWS SageMaker

Spark

Tableau

Job 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.

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

While the AI innovation race in Biopharma is focused on Drug discovery, Product Development/ CMC represents the next barrier/ bottleneck. The complexity of biological systems, the rigor of regulatory expectations, the pace of pipeline growth, and the enormous value at stake make this one of the highest-leverage domains for applied data science and AI in the entire pharmaceutical value chain.

We here at BTS - PDST, are building a dedicated, AI-native team that is driving cutting edge programs across early stage, late stage and commercial product development to accelerate E2E product development and launch, maximize yields of block buster products. Through our deep collaboration with PDST scientists we are boldly reimagining how AbbVie can bring our pipeline products and lifesaving drugs to patients faster, safer and in cost effective manner fueled by AI.

• Enterprise-scale scope: Enterprise-scale biologics portfolio spanning clinical, commercial, and lifecycle stages
• Building AI playbook for the future: First-in-AbbVie and first-in-biologics analytical approaches; you build the AI playbook for the future
• Growth and Impact: Direct impact on regulatory submissions, commercial readiness, and manufacturing decisions through deep cross-functional exposure to manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and scientific leadership
• Mission: Every model you build helps ensure safe, reliable medicines reach patients at scale

Responsibilities

Process Intelligence & Predictive Analytics

• Design, build, and deploy predictive and prescriptive models that support process robustness assessment, control strategy optimization, and commercial process validation across late-stage biologics programs.
• Develop multivariate and time-series modeling approaches to identify critical process parameter interactions, predict process drift, and support proactive deviation prevention at commercial manufacturing sites.
• Apply advanced statistical and machine learning methods — including dimensionality reduction, anomaly detection, Bayesian inference, and hybrid mechanistic-empirical models — to characterize complex bioprocess behavior and establish meaningful process design spaces.
• Build and maintain golden batch frameworks and optimization models that serve as living benchmarks for process performance across sites and over time.

Technology Transfer & Cross-Site Analytics

• Lead the development of data infrastructure and analytical tools that enable intelligent, data-driven technology transfer from development to commercial manufacturing — reducing transfer risk and compressing timelines.
• Build cross-site process intelligence systems that allow PDST and manufacturing teams to compare, contextualize, and act on process data across geographically distributed sites and diverse equipment trains.
• Partner with manufacturing science and quality teams to define data requirements, establish data standards, and ensure analytical continuity from process development through commercial operations.

Solution Architecture & AI Strategy

• Serve as a solution architect for AI and analytics initiatives within PDST — evaluating problems holistically and selecting the right combination of approaches, whether that means classical statistical models, modern machine learning, retrieval-augmented knowledge systems, orchestrated analytical agents, or purpose-built hybrid mechanisms.
• Establish modeling frameworks, validation protocols, and deployment standards that are scientifically rigorous, regulatory-aware, and built for long-term maintainability in a GxP environment.
• Contribute to PDST's AI roadmap by identifying high-value opportunities, scoping solutions, and advocating for the infrastructure investments needed to sustain analytical excellence.

Data Strategy & Governance

• Define and drive data strategy for late-stage biologics programs — including data acquisition planning, ontology development, quality standards, and integration across LIMS, MES, historian, and electronic batch record systems.
• Champion data literacy and modeling best practices across PDST and its manufacturing and quality stakeholder community.
• Ensure that models, analyses, and data assets are documented, version-controlled, and maintained to standards consistent with regulatory expectations including 21 CFR Part 11, ICH Q8/Q9/Q10, and relevant FDA/EMA guidance.

Stakeholder Engagement & Scientific Leadership

• Translate complex analytical outputs into clear, actionable scientific narratives for manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and executive audiences.
• Influence technical decision-making without formal authority — earning trust through scientific rigor, transparent methodology, and demonstrated business impact.
• Mentor junior scientists and analysts within PDST; contribute to a culture of technical excellence, intellectual curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related discipline with 7 years’ experience in IT and application program development; or Master's Degree with 6 years’ experience; or PhD with 2 years’ experience.
• Respective years of hands-on experience building and deploying data science or machine learning solutions in a scientific or engineering-intensive environment.
• Expert-level Python proficiency; deep familiarity with the scientific Python ecosystem (NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch or TensorFlow, modern data engineering (cloud, big data, pipeline orchestration)
• Strong foundation in business analytics, with mastery of tools such as R, Dataiku, AWS SageMaker, Spark, Tableau
• Strong foundation in data science methods, statistical modeling, experimental design, multivariate analysis, and uncertainty quantification — with the ability to choose, justify, and communicate methodological choices rigorously
• Familiarity with knowledge graph, retrieval-augmented, or orchestrated AI/LLM-based systems applied to scientific or technical domains
• Experience applying data science in a GxP-regulated environment, with working knowledge of FDA/EMA expectations for process validation, continued process verification (CPV), and control strategy.
• Familiarity with MLOps principles, model lifecycle management, or deployment of analytical tools in regulated or enterprise environments.
• Ownership orientation: you define your own problem space, drive solutions to completion, and hold yourself accountable to outcomes — not just outputs.
• Solution-architect instinct: you think before you build, consider the full landscape of available approaches, and choose tools based on fit-for-purpose reasoning rather than familiarity or trend.
• Scientific integrity: you build models you can explain, defend, and improve — and you apply the same standard to the work of others.
• Influence through credibility: you earn the confidence of scientists, engineers, and quality professionals by being right, being clear, and being useful — not by title or volume.
• Bias for impact: you are drawn to problems where the stakes are high and the analytical opportunity is real, and you are energized rather than intimidated by ambiguity.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Data Science, Biostatistics, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Computational Biology, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience building and deploying data science or machine learning solutions in a scientific or engineering-intensive environment.
• Direct experience in biologics manufacturing, late-stage process development, or commercial bioprocess operations — including familiarity with upstream (cell culture, fermentation) and/or downstream (purification, formulation) unit operations.
• Exposure to stability program analytics, comparability assessments, or post-approval change management from a data and modeling perspective.
• Experience in working with data from diverse lab and manufacturing systems (LIMS, MES, DeltaV/historian, eBR platforms) and building scalable data pipelines for process analytics.
• Track record of scientific communication — publications, regulatory submissions, technical reports, or equivalent — that demonstrates the ability to convey complex analytical work clearly and credibly.
• Familiarity with technology transfer workflows, process characterization study design, or commercial process validation (PPQ/PV) in a biologics or pharmaceutical context.

Additional Information

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

• 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 this posting 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 and until 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.html