Senior Scientist I/II, Analytical Development

AbbVie Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Long-term incentive programs

Job summary

AbbVie Inc. in San Diego seeks a Senior Scientist II to lead analytical development for mRNA drug substance and lipid nanoparticle programs, focusing on RNA and lipid characterization, routine assay development, and workflow automation in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

The role requires designing strategies for product characterization, partnering with discovery, process development, and formulation teams, and mentoring junior scientists while delivering robust analytical methods

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.

We are seeking a Senior Scientist II to join our experienced, fast-paced, and collaborative Analytical Development team. The successful candidate will provide scientific and technical leadership for analytical characterization of mRNA-based therapeutics and targeted lipid nanoparticle formulations.

This role will focus on developing and implementing robust analytical methods for pipeline support, with particular emphasis on RNA and lipids characterization, routine assay development, workflow optimization, and laboratory automation. The scientist will work closely with discovery, formulation, process development, and other cross-functional partners to advance product and process understanding, support candidate selection, and expand the analytical capabilities of the mRNA and lipid nanoparticle platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead analytical method development and characterization activities for mRNA drug substance and mRNA-based lipid nanoparticle programs, with emphasis on pipeline support and candidate selection.
• Develop, implement, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose methods for routine and non-routine analysis of RNA, lipids, lipid-related impurities, oligonucleotides, and proteins using techniques such as liquid chromatography with various detection modes (e.g. UV, CAD, MS, MALLS, Fl), capillary electrophoresis, and plate-based assays.
• Design analytical strategies that support product characterization, process understanding, comparability, stability, and method qualification or transfer activities, as needed.
• Establish efficient, reproducible workflows for analytical testing, data processing, and interpretation, and identify opportunities to streamline or automate routine activities.
• Investigate complex analytical problems, evaluate emerging technologies, and introduce new capabilities that address program and platform needs.
• Partner with formulation, discovery, process development, and other cross-functional teams to characterize lipid nanoparticle composition, product quality attributes, and related impurities.
• Contribute to characterization of plasmids and assessment of relationships between plasmid attributes and mRNA product quality, as appropriate.
• Represent Analytical Development on pipeline, technology development, and platform teams, and communicate results, risks, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• Provide scientific guidance and technical mentorship to junior scientists and contribute to analytical best practices within the sub-team.
• Author and review technical reports, analytical procedures, study protocols, and other scientific documentation.

Qualifications

Required

• Sr. Scientist I: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 10 years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 8 years of experience, PhD with no additional experience.
• Sr. Scientist II: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 12 years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 10 years of experience, PhD and typically 4 years of experience.
• Experience developing analytical methods for RNA, oligonucleotides, lipids, biologics, or other complex therapeutic modalities.
• Strong understanding of analytical method development, troubleshooting, data interpretation, and fit-for-purpose method design.
• Demonstrated ability to independently define scientific approaches, solve complex technical problems, and lead analytical activities.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred

• Experience characterizing mRNA drug substance, lipid nanoparticles, plasmids, or lipid-related impurities.
• Experience with capillary electrophoresis, MALS, mass photometry, plate-based assays, or complementary biophysical techniques.
• Experience implementing automated or high-throughput analytical workflows.
• Experience with analytical method transfer, qualification, stability, or comparability studies.
• Experience mentoring scientists or providing technical direction within a project or sub-team environment.

Why this version is stronger

Clarifies the primary mission: pipeline RNA characterization and routine analytical support are positioned as the main responsibilities. 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 long-term incentive programs.

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