Senior Scientist I, Cell Line Development / Molecular Biology

AbbVie; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in San Francisco, CA is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join the Cell Line Development (CLD) team. The role focuses on expression-optimization of CHO cells for recombinant antibodies and complex biologics, spanning vector design, host cell engineering, transfection, and clone-generation with data-driven, independent execution.

The successful candidate will apply deep molecular biology knowledge, read widely, design and test multiple vector constructs, and collaborate across analytical,

Qualifications

• BS with 10+ years OR MS with 8+ years in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Ability to read literature, synthesize ideas, and design proper experimental controls.
• Independently analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate findings to a broad audience.
• Proficiency with designing vector improvements to increase recombinant antibody expression in CHO cells.
• Proficiency with DNA vector design and sequence alignment tools (e.g., Geneious Prime).

Responsibilities

• Conceive designs to investigate CHO expression improvements across vector and host cell.
• Design and test dozens of vector constructs in recombinant stable CHO lines for increased mAb titer; conduct transfections and clone characterization.
• Perform transfections, aseptic CHO culture, DNA copy-number analysis, RT-qPCR, and mAb titer measurements.
• Operate core CLD instrumentation (Octet, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, Beacon) and maintain equipment.
• Collaborate with cell culture, analytics, purification, and bioinformatics teams to meet timelines and maintain data integrity.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Biochemistry

Data analysis

Experimental design

Transfection

Flow cytometry

CRISPR/Cas

Education

BS in molecular biology

MS in molecular biology

PhD in related field

Tools

Geneious Prime

Octet

ViCell

CloneSelect Imager

Beacon

Job description

Senior Scientist I, Cell Line Development / Molecular Biology

• Full-time
• Salary Min: 96500
• Salary Max: 183500
• Workday Global Grade: 17
• Compensation: USD 96,500 - USD 183,500 - yearly

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.

The Biologics CMC Development organization at AbbVie has a long and rich history of biologics development, leveraging comprehensive end-to-end CMC capabilities to advance complex biologic therapies, such as bi-specifics and novel modalities, from discovery through human clinical studies and eventual licensure.

The Cell Line Development (CLD) Innovation Group is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join a talented and collaborative team developing next-generation CHO cell line platforms for the production of recombinant antibodies and complex biologics. This is a hands-on, laboratory-focused role for a versatile molecular biologist who will independently drive expression-optimization projects across both the vector and the host cell — from experimental design through execution and data interpretation. The successful candidate will design and test vector constructs, engineer host cells, conduct transfection and clone-generation campaigns in CHO cells, and apply a deep theoretical understanding of recombinant protein expression to improve titer in stable cell lines. This is not a single-technique position: the role spans the full set of levers that govern expression, and the candidate is expected to think, read, and propose, then carry the work out at the bench with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities:

• Independently conceive ideas and designs to investigate CHO expression technical improvements across both vector and host cell.
• Design and test dozens of vector constructs in recombinant stable CHO cell lines for increased mAb titer.Rapidly execute the associated transfections, screening, and clone-characterization studies to generate decision-quality data.
• Employ a variety of hands‑on laboratory techniques, including transfection, aseptic CHO cell culture, DNA gene copy number analysis, RNA expression analysis(ddPCR / RT‑qPCR), mAb titer measurement, cell engineering to knock in/out target genes.
• Operate and interpret data from core CLD instrumentation, including Octet (BLI titer),ViCell,CloneSelect Imager, microfluidic clone-screening platforms such as the Beacon, flow cytometry. Share responsibility for equipment maintenance.
• Apply a rigorous theoretical and practical understanding of recombinant protein expression from the genome to the protein — including genomic loci, epigenetics, transcription, mRNA stability, translation, the organelles and secretory machineryinvolved, and the engineering constraints specific to industrial CHO cell line development.
• Author and co‑author cell line development technical reports and present data to the group and to leadership; contribute scientific insight to project teams.
• Collaborate closely with cell culture, analytical, purification, and bioinformatics colleagues to meet project timelines, and adhere to corporate standards for code of conduct, safety, materials handling, and good documentation practices.

Required:

• Senior Scientist I:BS with a minimum of 10 years, or MS with a minimum of 8 years of experience is strongly preferred, or PhD with no minimum years’ experience, in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to read the literature, review external sources, and gather inputs to synthesize technically sound ideas and design proper experimental controls.
• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze experimental data, draw appropriate conclusions, and communicate them to a wide audience.
• Demonstrated proficiency with designing and implementing vector improvements to increase recombinant antibody expression levels in stable CHO cells.
• Proficiency with Geneious Prime or similar software for designing and annotating DNA vectors, primers, and probes, and performing sequence alignments.
• Proficiency with most or all of the following techniques and instrumentation: transfection, aseptic mammalian cell culture, Octet, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, and microfluidic clone-screening platforms such as the Beacon.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, understand, and master new experimental techniques, and to multi‑task and work within timelines.
• Strong scientific communication skills — verbal, written, and data presentation — with detailed daily digital lab notebook record-keeping proficiency.
• A candidate who combines hands‑on wet‑lab depth with the ability to think alongside the team and then execute independently.

Preferred:

• While we welcome all candidates with a genuine passion for CHO cell line development, we strongly prefer those who bring hands‑on, industry cell line development experience in a CMC / drug‑substance environment over candidates with purely academic or cell‑culture‑development‑only backgrounds.
• Candidates with substantial experience developing CHO expression platform improvements in an industrial/CMC setting.
• Possess a demonstrated and genuine passion for getting the most mAb titer out of recombinant CHO cells.
• Previous experience performing cellular analyses using flow cytometry.
• Proficiency with cell engineering to knock in / knock out target genes using CRISPR/Cas or other suitable tools.
• 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 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.

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 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.

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