Senior Scientist I/II, Analytical Development

AbbVie Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

AbbVie Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist II to lead analytical development for RNA/mRNA and lipid nanoparticle programs. You will drive method development, characterization, and transfer, partnering with discovery, formulation, and process development teams to advance candidate selection and platform capabilities.

The role emphasizes robust analytical strategies, data interpretation, and mentoring junior scientists within a fast-paced, collaborative environment in San Diego.

Qualifications

• Experience developing analytical methods for RNA, oligonucleotides, lipids, biologics, or other complex 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical method development and characterization activities for mRNA drug substance and lipid nanoparticle programs.
• Develop, implement, and troubleshoot fit-for-purpose methods for routine and non-routine analysis.
• Design analytical strategies supporting product characterization, process understanding, and method transfer.

Skills

Analytical method development

Data interpretation

Scientific writing

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD with 4 years experience

Master’s degree with 10 years

Bachelor’s degree with 12 years

Tools

Liquid chromatography (LC)

Mass spectrometry (MS)

MALS

Capillary electrophoresis

Plate-based assays

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 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 10years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 8years 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.

Additional Information

• 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 the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, 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 long-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminateThe amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion 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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