Senior Scientist I, Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering

AbbVie Inc.; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Short-term incentive programs

Job summary

AbbVie Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join the Drug Delivery Sciences and Engineering team in Irvine, California.

This laboratory-based role will design and execute studies to develop and characterize innovative drug delivery systems for small molecules and biologics, leveraging chemistry, formulation, polymer, and protein science in collaboration with discovery and development teams. The ideal candidate combines strong scientific judgment with hands-on experimentation and clear

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or related field with 0–4 years of experience; MS with 8+ years or Bachelor with 10+ years.
• Strong foundation in chemistry, drug delivery, formulation, protein, polymer sciences, or biomaterials.
• Ability to design experiments, troubleshoot, analyze data, and draw conclusions.
• Hands-on experience with formulation and analytical/biophysical characterization methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication for multidisciplinary audiences.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration and ability to manage priorities in fast-paced research.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, analyze, and document lab studies for drug delivery systems.
• Develop and optimize delivery for small molecules and biologics (proteins/peptides).
• Apply formulation, protein, polymer and colloid science to stability and manufacturability challenges.
• Characterize formulations with analytical/biophysical methods (HPLC, ELISA, DSC, FTIR, GPC/SEC, MALS/DLS).
• Interpret data, assess risks, and propose practical experimental strategies.
• Communicate study plans, results, and risks to cross-functional teams.
• Maintain compliant records and contribute to reports, publications, and invention disclosures.
• Mentor colleagues and collaborate with external labs to meet project objectives.

Skills

Drug delivery

Formulation science

Protein science

Polymer science

Biomaterials

Analytical methods

Data interpretation

Education

PhD in chemistry/biochemistry/chemical engineering/pharmaceutical sciences or related

MS with 8+ years of relevant experience

Bachelor degree with 10+ years of experience

Tools

HPLC

ELISA

DSC

FTIR

GPC/SEC

MALS/DLS

Rheology

Particle-size analysis

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, Xand 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, results, 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 biologic modalities such as proteins, peptides, or nucleic acids.
• 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 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,andwemay ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may bemodified in 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 toparticipate in 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 employeeremains in the Company'ssoleandabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodified at 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.

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