Sr Scientist I, Process Chemistry

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie seeks a Senior Scientist in Process Chemistry to conduct chemical process research and develop API supply for AbbVie's preclinical and clinical candidates. You will design scalable processes for small molecules, antibody drug conjugates, peptides, or oligonucleotides, prioritizing safety and quality.

You will publish work, collaborate across functions, and work autonomously in a fast-paced lab, contributing to robust manufacturing strategies and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in Organic Chemistry with 0+–10+ years experience depending on degree.
• Broad modern synthetic organic chemistry expertise including purification and spectral interpretation.
• Experience with peptides, bioconjugations, biocatalysis, AI/ML, or oligonucleotides is desired.
• Ability to search the chemical literature and evaluate potential solutions to synthetic problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute chemical processes to support clinical development of potential therapies (small molecules, ADCs, peptides, oligos).
• Demonstrate scientific initiative and creativity to resolve project hurdles.
• Work autonomously with minimal supervision while maintaining high productivity in the lab.
• Publish research in peer‑reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to enable higher performance and safe, cost-effective manufacturing processes.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Spectral analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in Organic Chemistry

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.

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 Process Chemistry team is responsible for inventing and executing the chemical processes and preparing active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to enable toxicology studies, clinical trials, and drug product development for AbbVie’s pre-clinical and clinical candidates. We create valuable intellectual property through composition of matter, chemical processes, and technology, resulting in the development of safe and cost-effective commercial manufacturing processes.

AbbVie Process Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to conduct chemical process research and development, supporting projects from pre-clinical stages through early clinical phases.

Key Responsibilities:

• The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing chemical processes to support clinical development of potential therapies, which may include small molecules, antibody drug conjugates, peptides, and/or oligonucleotides.
• Routinely demonstrate scientific initiative and creativity in research or development activities to resolve key project hurdles.
• Learns fast, grasps the "essence", and can change course quickly where indicated.
• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance.
• Highly autonomous and productive in performing laboratory research or method development, requiring only minimal direction from or interaction with supervisor.
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present their work at scientific conferences.
• Creates a learning environment, embraces the ideas of others, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
• Adheres to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, quality, and appropriate handling of materials.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD Degree in Organic Chemistry with typically 10+ (BS), 8+ (MS) or 0+ (PhD) years of experience
• Possesses a thorough theoretical and practical understanding of own scientific discipline.
• A broad range of functional expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, compound purification, spectral analysis/interpretation. Experience in peptides, bioconjugations, biocatalysis, AI/ML, or oligonucleotides is also desired.
• An ability to search the chemical literature and evaluate potential solutions to synthetic problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

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 short-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 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