Senior Scientist II, Automation Engineering

Allergan; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Senior Scientist, Automation Engineer in North Chicago, Illinois. The role involves leading the development and implementation of laboratory automation for high-throughput organic synthesis in drug discovery. Candidates should have significant experience in automation engineering, organic chemistry, or related fields, supported by a relevant degree. AbbVie offers an inclusive work environment and competitive benefits including paid time off and 401(k) plans.

Qualifications

• 12 years experience with Bachelor's, 10 years with Master's, or 4 years with PhD in relevant field.
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity in research.
• Experience in automation and large-scale experimentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and automation efforts in organic synthesis.
• Design and maintain laboratory automation systems.
• Write scripts for liquid-handling platforms.

Skills

Automation engineering

Organic chemistry

Machine learning

Data science techniques

Liquid-handling platforms

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Organic Chemistry or related field

Master’s Degree

PhD

Tools

Tecan

Hamilton

ChemSpeed

Job description

Overview

The Technology and Therapeutic Platforms group has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist, Automation Engineer to join the Advanced Chemistry Technologies (ACT) team at AbbVie. This scientist will develop and implement laboratory automation to support high-throughput organic synthesis in a drug discovery environment. The role will serve as a lead scientist on one or more projects, critically evaluate relevant scientific and technological advances, and integrate that knowledge into research programs. The successful candidate will drive scientific innovation, identify new methods and techniques, and collaborate across functions to support the drug discovery pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and automation efforts to expand the team’s high-throughput organic synthesis capabilities
• Design, implement, and maintain laboratory automation systems to increase throughput
• Write scripts for common liquid-handling platforms such as Tecan, Hamilton, and ChemSpeed
• Interpret experimental results, draw conclusions, and design iterative follow-up experiments
• Work independently while maintaining high productivity, efficiency, and scientific rigor
• Develop and implement new experimental protocols and techniques for drug discovery, with an emphasis on automation and high-throughput organic synthesis
• Demonstrate scientific initiative and creativity to resolve key project challenges
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and shifting project needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Organic Chemistry or a related field and typically 12 years of experience OR Master’s Degree and typically 10 years of experience OR PhD and 4 years of experience.
• Demonstrated scientific initiative and creativity in research or development activities
• Ability to identify and resolve key project challenges using available information and technical expertise
• Background in chemical engineering, chemistry, or automation engineering
• Experience in automation and medium- to high-throughput experimentation
• Experience with machine learning and data science techniques, including designing experiments to build and validate AI/ML tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience contributing to technical reports and publications

Key Leadership Competencies

• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functional partners to improve performance
• Learns quickly, understands the core issues, and adapts as needed
• Raises standards and continuously seeks improvement
• Creates a learning environment that encourages feedback and experimentation
• Values others’ ideas, fosters innovation, and balances creativity with practical execution

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 long-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 the following: 1) general equal employment opportunity information page

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

Reasonable accommodations information available here.