Sr Scientist, Separations

Abzena Inc.; Bristol Township (Bucks County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Abzena, a leading biopharma development partner, seeks an experienced separations scientist to develop advanced chromatographic workflows for conjugate characterization across ADCs and other bioconjugates. You will lead method development, transfer, and industrial-scale analyses to support process development and CMC activities.

The role requires deep knowledge of chromatographic techniques, protein chemistry, and data interpretation, with collaboration across process development, bioassay,

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with extensive industry experience in analytical characterization of biologics.
• Hands-on experience with chromatography-based methods for proteins and conjugates.
• Experience with data analysis software and method development for CGMP projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and transfer of chromatographic methods for ADCs and related bioconjugates.
• Design studies for characterization of intact antibodies, fragments, and conjugated species.
• Perform DAR, aggregation, and linker-payload analyses with rigorous data interpretation.
• Support process development, manufacturing deviations, and comparability assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish analytical control strategies.

Skills

LCUV characterization

RPLC/UV

SEC-UV

IEX-UV

Protein chemistry

Data analysis

Technical writing

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry

MS in Chemistry

Tools

Waters Empower

Job description

With extensive experience in developing biologics and bioconjugates, we offer a seamless service delivered by fully integrated teams, from early discovery to commercial manufacturing.

Forward-thinking and committed, we find the best solution and use the right technologies to design, develop and manufacture your products to ensure we get vital medicines to patients quickly and safely.

We are dedicated to quality excellence. We are driven to get better treatments to market, efficiently and responsibly by reducing timelines and delivering the highest quality products and services.

We are Abzena. More than a CDMO, we are a responsible and dedicated partner that takes care of your products from concept to patient.

We are seeking an experienced separations scientist to develop methods for conjugate characterization activities supporting process development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), oligonucleotide conjugates, radioconjugates, and other complex bioconjugate modalities. This individual will serve as a technical expert in separations-based characterization and method development across process development and CMC activities

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and implementing advanced chromatographic workflows for structural characterization, impurity analysis, linker-payload assessment, DAR determination, and comparability studies to support clinical development programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, and transfer of chromatographic analytical methods supporting ADCs and related bioconjugate therapeutics.
• Design and execute chromatographic studies for characterization of intact proteins/antibodies, fragment antibodies, small format proteins, peptides, linker-payloads, oligonucleotides, and conjugated species.
• Perform characterization activities including DAR analysis, aggregation, fragmentation and charge variant assessment, free payload and linker impurity analysis, and stability studies.
• Support analytical investigations related to process development, manufacturing deviations, comparability, and product quality assessments.
• Collaborate closely with process development, bioassay, formulation, and quality teams to establish analytical control strategies and critical quality attributes (CQAs).
• Develop robust sample preparation workflows for proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and conjugated modalities for chromatographic analyses.
• Interpret complex analytical datasets and communicate findings to cross-functional project teams and client sponsors.
• Author technical reports, analytical development summaries, regulatory documentation, SOPs, protocols, and method qualification reports.
• Support regulatory submissions including IND, BLA, and IMPD analytical sections.
• Maintain instrumentation including general maintenance, troubleshooting, and scheduling of performative maintenance and vendor repair services.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline with 5-8 years of industry experience; or M.S. with 8-10+ years of relevant experience
• Extensive hands-on experience with LCUV characterization of biologics, ADCs, or related conjugated therapeutics.
• Experience with analytical characterization techniques including RPLC/UV, SEC-UV, IEX-UV, non-reduced/reduced cIEF.
• Strong understanding of protein chemistry, conjugation technologies, and biopharmaceutical analytical development.
• Experience with data analysis software such as Waters Empower or equivalent platforms.
• Excellent technical writing, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically supporting ADCs, AOCs, radioconjugates, or oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Familiarity with linker-payload chemistry and conjugation process development.
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations for biologics and conjugated therapeutics.
• Experience supporting method qualification, validation, and comparability studies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting CMC development and CGMP environments.
• Prior experience working with CDMOs and external analytical laboratories.

FLSA: Exempt

Abzena is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.