Scientist I, Biotherapeutics Expression

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Short-term incentive programs

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine seeks an experienced protein expression scientist to join a fast-paced mammalian cell culture team. The role focuses on engineering biologics in CHO cells, protein expression, and characterization, while leveraging automation and data digitization.

The successful candidate will contribute to high-throughput workflows, independently design experiments, and work with cross-functional teams to advance biologic-based therapies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field.
• 5+ years (BS) or 2+ years (MS) experience in cell culture and protein production in CHO cells.
• Experience in CHO process development and optimization.
• Experience with targeted integration, FACS, ddPCR, vector design, and Wave bioreactors is desirable.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Generation and screening of stable CHO cell lines expressing multispecific biologics.
• Process development and optimization for fed-batch bioreactor expressions.
• Handle stable CHO pool lines including thaw, culture, expression, and cryopreservation.
• Apply targeted integration using FACS-based single-cell sorting.
• Characterize copy number and mRNA levels using ddPCR and related tools.
• Contribute to data digitization and automation initiatives.

Skills

cell culture

protein production

process development

FACS

ddPCR

data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in biology/chemistry/biochemistry

Tools

FACS

ddPCR

Wave bioreactors

Bioreactor systems

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

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

• 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 short-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