Senior Scientist I, Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering

BioSpace; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Short-term incentive plan

Job summary

AbbVie in Irvine, California seeks a Senior Scientist I to join the Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering team. In this lab-based role, you will design and execute studies to develop and characterize innovative delivery systems for small molecules and biologics, collaborating across discovery and development.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in a relevant field, strong chemistry and formulation background, hands-on analytical experience, and excellent written and verbal communication for

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or related field with 0–4 years of relevant experience; MS with at least 8+ years of relevant experience or Bachelor Degree with 10+ years of experience.
• Strong scientific foundation in chemistry, drug delivery, formulation science, protein science, polymer science, biomaterials, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, critically analyze data, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Hands‑on experience with pharmaceutical formulation and relevant analytical or biophysical characterization methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex scientific information clearly to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in cross‑functional collaboration and the ability to build productive working relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing program needs, and deliver high‑quality results in a fast‑paced research environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory studies supporting novel drug delivery systems and enabling formulations.
• Develop and optimize delivery approaches for small molecules and biologics, including proteins and peptides, with emphasis on sustained, controlled, or targeted delivery.
• Apply principles of formulation, protein, polymer, and colloid science to address stability, compatibility, manufacturability, and performance challenges.
• Characterize formulations and delivery systems using relevant analytical and biophysical methods, which may include HPLC, ELISA, DSC, FTIR, GPC/SEC, MALS/DLS, rheology, spectroscopy, particle-size analysis, and in vitro release testing.
• Interpret complex data, identify technical risks, develop hypotheses, and recommend practical experimental strategies and mitigation plans.
• Represent Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering on cross-functional project teams and clearly communicate study plans, risks, and recommendations.
• Maintain complete, timely, and compliant experimental records and prepare technical reports, presentations, development documentation, publications, and invention disclosures, as appropriate.
• Monitor advances in drug delivery technologies and identify opportunities to introduce new capabilities, platforms, or more efficient workflows.
• Collaborate with internal partners and external laboratories or vendors to execute studies, transfer methods, and meet project objectives.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and high-performing laboratory environment and provide technical guidance or training to colleagues, interns, or junior scientists, as needed.

Skills

Chemistry

Drug delivery

Formulation science

Protein science

Polymer science

Analytical methods

Biomaterials

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Biochemistry

PhD in Chemical Engineering

MS with 8+ years experience

BS with 10+ years experience

Tools

HPLC

ELISA

DSC

FTIR

GPC/SEC

MALS/DLS

Job description

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

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist I to join the Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering team in Irvine, California. In this laboratory-based role, you will independently design and execute studies to develop and characterize innovative drug delivery systems for small molecules and biologic modalities, including peptides and proteins. You will apply expertise in chemistry, formulation, polymer and protein science, and pharmaceutical characterization while partnering across discovery and development functions to advance programs. The ideal candidate combines strong scientific judgment, hands‑on experimental capability, and clear and concise communication with a collaborative, results-oriented approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, analyze, and document laboratory studies supporting novel drug delivery systems and enabling formulations.
• Develop and optimize delivery approaches for small molecules and biologics, including proteins and peptides, with emphasis on sustained, controlled, or targeted delivery.
• Apply principles of formulation, protein, polymer, and colloid science to address stability, compatibility, manufacturability, and performance challenges.
• Characterize formulations and delivery systems using relevant analytical and biophysical methods, which may include HPLC, ELISA, DSC, FTIR, GPC/SEC, MALS/DLS, rheology, spectroscopy, particle-size analysis, and in vitro release testing.
• Interpret complex data, identify technical risks, develop hypotheses, and recommend practical experimental strategies and mitigation plans.
• Represent Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering on cross-functional project teams and clearly communicate study plans, risks, and recommendations.
• Maintain complete, timely, and compliant experimental records and prepare technical reports, presentations, development documentation, publications, and invention disclosures, as appropriate.
• Monitor advances in drug delivery technologies and identify opportunities to introduce new capabilities, platforms, or more efficient workflows.
• Collaborate with internal partners and external laboratories or vendors to execute studies, transfer methods, and meet project objectives.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive, and high-performing laboratory environment and provide technical guidance or training to colleagues, interns, or junior scientists, as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or a related discipline with 0–4 years of relevant experience; M.S. with at least 8+ years of relevant experience or Bachelor Degree with 10+ years of experience.
• Strong scientific foundation in chemistry, drug delivery, formulation science, protein science, polymer science, biomaterials, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, critically analyze data, and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
• Hands‑on experience with pharmaceutical formulation and relevant analytical or biophysical characterization methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex scientific information clearly to multidisciplinary audiences.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in cross‑functional collaboration and the ability to build productive working relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing program needs, and deliver high‑quality results in a fast‑paced research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing sustained-release, controlled‑release, targeted, polymer‑based, particulate, conjugate, hydrogel, or other advanced delivery systems.
• Experience with bioconjugation chemistry and synthetic methods.
• Knowledge of formulation stability, degradation mechanisms, drug–excipient interactions, and in vitro release or performance testing.
• Experience using Design of Experiments, multivariate analysis, or related statistical approaches for formulation or process optimization.

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 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

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html