Scientist I, Biotherapeutics Expression

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

• Compensation: USD 75,000 - USD 142,500 - yearly

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

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine is a global organization responsible for biotherapeutics drug research across disease areas including immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. Our scope includes the discovery of innovative biologic medicines from the early exploratory stage and their support through clinical development. We are growing a world-class team of scientists and leaders who will drive the discovery and advancement of innovative biologic-based therapies. Careers in Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine provide unique opportunities to work with cross-functional teams that drive exceptional science and deliver innovative medicines to patients.

The Biotherapeutics Production group at AbbVie is seeking an experienced protein expression scientist to join a fast paced, high throughput, large scale (1 to 200L) mammalian cell culture expression group. This role will focus on engineering biologics in CHO cell lines, protein expression, and characterization, while incorporating modern capabilities in data digitization and automation. We are looking for candidates with strong scientific and leadership experience to join the team and can offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities for these candidates.

Key Responsibilities:

• Generation, expression, and screening of stable CHO cell lines expressing novel multispecific biologics with optimized attributes (i.e. titer, monomer, chain-pairing) to support therapeutic area drug discovery projects.
• Process development and optimization for fed-batch bioreactor and shake flask expressions of stable CHO cell lines.
• Handling stable CHO pool cell lines including thaw, culture, expression and cryopreservation.
• Apply targeted integration using FACS-based single-cell sorting for screening.
• Characterization of copy number and mRNA transcript levels using ddPCR and related molecular tools.
• Implement and leverage automation platforms and high-throughput workflows to increase efficiency.
• Contribute to data digitization efforts, including electronic data capture, analysis, and concise reporting.
• Work independently on the design, execution, and interpretation of experimental results.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Master’s in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field with typically 5+ (BS) or 2+ (MS) years of experience.
• Experience with cell culture and protein production (monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and multispecifics) in CHO cells lines including thaw, culture, expression, and cryopreservation.
• Prior experience in process development and process optimization in CHO cells.
• Experience with targeted integration, FACS, ddPCR, vector design, and Wave bioreactors is desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency in overcoming problems (i.e. poor chain pairing, low expression, aggregation, glycosylation) with challenging therapeutic proteins desirable.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts.
• Collaborative mindset with a passion for teamwork, scientific rigor, and delivering impactful solutions.
• Strong team player able to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

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 Companyberieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at thetimeofthis posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographiclocation,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 short-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.Theamountandavailabilityof anybonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company'ssoleandabsolutediscretion unless and until 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.