Senior Scientist I — CHO Cell Line Engineering

BioSpace; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Short-term incentive programs

Job summary

AbbVie in South San Francisco is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join the Cell Line Development Innovation Group. You will develop next-generation CHO cell platforms for recombinant antibodies, driving expression optimization from vector design through cell line selection.

The role is hands-on and requires independent bench work, data interpretation, and strong scientific communication, with collaboration across multiple functional teams.

Qualifications

• Senior Scientist I: BS with 10+ years, MS with 8+ years, or PhD with no minimum years in molecular biology or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze literature and synthesize technically sound ideas with proper experimental controls.
• Proficiency in independently designing and communicating results to a wide audience.
• Experience designing vector improvements to boost recombinant antibody expression in CHO cells.
• Theoretical and practical understanding of mammalian protein expression and secretion pathways.

Responsibilities

• Independently conceive CHO expression improvements across vector and host cells.
• Design and test vector constructs in recombinant stable CHO cell lines for higher mAb titer.
• Perform transfection, aseptic CHO culture, gene copy number analysis, RNA expression, and titer measurements.
• Process externally sourced vector libraries and execute transfection, screening, and clone characterization to generate decision data.
• Operate core CLD instrumentation (Octet, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, Beacon) and maintain equipment.
• Apply deep understanding of genomic/epigenetic factors influencing expression from genome to protein.
• Author and co-author cell line development reports; present data to teams and leadership.
• Collaborate with cell culture, analytical, purification, and bioinformatics colleagues to meet timelines.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Biochemistry

Transfection

CRISPR/Cas

Flow cytometry

Education

BS in molecular biology

MS in related field

PhD in related field

Tools

Geneious Prime

Octet

ViCell

CloneSelect Imager

Beacon

Job description

AbbVie in South San Francisco is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join the Cell Line Development Innovation Group. You will develop next-generation CHO cell platforms for recombinant antibodies, driving expression optimization from vector design through cell line selection.

The role is hands-on and requires independent bench work, data interpretation, and strong scientific communication, with collaboration across multiple functional teams.