Senior Scientist II, Biotransformation and Disposition

BioSpace; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie’s Biotransformation and Disposition team seeks a Senior Scientist II to lead in vitro and in vivo biotransformation and ADME studies, guiding project strategies through mass spectrometry, metabolite profiling, and structure elucidation. You will collaborate across disciplines, mentor peers, and contribute to regulatory submissions with robust data interpretation.

Expertise in LC-MS/MS and high-resolution MS, +4 years post-PhD (or equivalent) in small-molecule drug development is required,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Life Sciences or a related field with 4+ years; alternatively, a Masters degree with 8+ years or a Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, interpret, and report in vitro and in vivo biotransformation studies to identify metabolites, metabolic pathways, and clearance mechanisms.
• Perform metabolite profiling and structural elucidation using LC-MS/MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and complementary analytical techniques.
• Develop, optimize, maintain, and troubleshoot chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods, including assays involving radiolabeled compounds where applicable.
• Integrate metabolite data with broader DMPK, ADME, pharmacokinetic, toxicology, chemistry, and clinical findings to support compound selection and development decisions.
• Represent Biotransformation and Disposition on cross-functional project teams and communicate scientific findings through presentations, technical reports, publications, and regulatory documents.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, study designs, automation approaches, and analytical methods to improve data quality, sensitivity, throughput, and scientific impact.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external partners while maintaining rigorous documentation, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and laboratory safety standards.
• Contribute to a collaborative learning environment by mentoring colleagues, sharing technical expertise, encouraging innovation, and supporting continuous improvement.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

LC-MS/MS

Structure elucidation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory documentation

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Life Sciences

MS with 8+ years of experience

Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience

Tools

Thermo mass spectrometers

Sciex mass spectrometers

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

The Biotransformation and Disposition team within AbbVie’s Quantitative Translational and ADME Sciences organization is seeking a driven Senior Scientist II to support AbbVie’s drug discovery and development programs through the design, execution, interpretation, and communication of in vitro and in vivo biotransformation and ADME studies. The successful candidate will apply expertise in drug metabolism, metabolite profiling, mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and structure elucidation to answer key scientific questions, guide project strategy, and advance compounds across the pipeline. This role requires strong scientific judgment, hands-on laboratory capabilities, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate complex analytical data into clear conclusions for project teams, management, and regulatory submissions. Duties will be focused on laboratory work, and the applicant will collaborate across various disciplines within AbbVie. Additional expertise in peptide chemistry, structural elucidation, and mass spectrometry is preferred.

Key Responsibilities And Desired Skills Include

• Design, conduct, interpret, and report in vitro and in vivo biotransformation studies to identify metabolites, metabolic pathways, and clearance mechanisms.
• Perform metabolite profiling and structural elucidation using LC-MS/MS, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and complementary analytical techniques.
• Develop, optimize, maintain, and troubleshoot chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods, including assays involving radiolabeled compounds where applicable.
• Integrate metabolite data with broader DMPK, ADME, pharmacokinetic, toxicology, chemistry, and clinical findings to support compound selection and development decisions.
• Represent Biotransformation and Disposition on cross-functional project teams and communicate scientific findings through presentations, technical reports, publications, and regulatory documents.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, study designs, automation approaches, and analytical methods to improve data quality, sensitivity, throughput, and scientific impact.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external partners while maintaining rigorous documentation, data integrity, regulatory compliance, and laboratory safety standards.
• Contribute to a collaborative learning environment by mentoring colleagues, sharing technical expertise, encouraging innovation, and supporting continuous improvement.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Design and interpret peptide biotransformation experiments to identify enzymatic cleavage sites, metabolic pathways, and structural modifications across relevant in vitro and in vivo systems.
• Apply expertise in peptide mass spectrometry, including LC-MS/MS and high-resolution MS, to characterize intact peptides, metabolites, and degradation products in biotransformation studies.
• Specific hands-on expertise in handling high-end high-resolution Thermo and Sciex mass spectrometers and software are desired.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Life Sciences or a related field with 4+ years; alternatively, a Masters degree with 8+ years or a Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant academic or industry research experience in small-molecule drug development.
• Demonstrated expertise in mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, structure elucidation, core DMPK processes, including analytical method development, metabolite profiling, and biotransformation.
• Strong written (peer reviewed publications), verbal, presentation, interpersonal, and collaborative skills, with the proven ability to work independently and effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven leadership capabilities, including mentoring others, fostering a learning environment, driving innovation, building strong cross-functional relationships, and continuously raising scientific and performance standards.

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.