2027 Automation & Process Analytics Technology Co-Op (June - Dec)
About The Position
AbbVie is seeking a graduate co-op student to join its Cell Culture Development and Automation team in Product Development Science and Technology (PDS&T). This six-month, hands-on role runs from June through December at AbbVie’s Worcester, Massachusetts site and is a work experience, not intended to support a thesis. The project combines optical spectroscopy, cell culture science, laboratory robotics, and data analytics to enable rapid, at-line characterization of cell-culture product quality and metabolites. The co-op will integrate spectroscopy with automated liquid-handling robotics, develop analytical workflows and custom hardware, and apply chemometric and data-science methods to production-relevant datasets.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a university master's degree program in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemistry, or a related field, and enrolled at the time of the co-op.
- Expected graduation date between May 2028 and December 2028.
- Proficient in aseptic techniques, including thawing, passaging, and banking mammalian cell lines in a biosafety cabinet.
- Knowledge of optical spectroscopy techniques, including Raman, fluorescence, and absorbance.
- Knowledge of biology and biochemistry, cell metabolism, and protein characterization as applied to CHO cell culture development.
- Able to commit to a six-month program at AbbVie’s Worcester, Massachusetts site from June through December.
Nice To Haves
- Strong critical-thinking skills and ability to troubleshoot complex laboratory robotics and instrumentation challenges.
- Ability to design and create custom labware using 3D printing.
- Ability to execute, troubleshoot, and interpret complex experimental data to determine thoughtful next steps.
- Working knowledge of programming or scripting languages such as Python, Visual Basic, and C/C++.
Responsibilities
- Support integration of spectroscopy systems with an automated liquid-handling platform for high-throughput, at-line spectral acquisition from cell culture samples.
- Design and 3D-print custom labware and sampling components for automated sample transfer and spectral measurement.
- Develop and troubleshoot liquid-handler methods for sample acquisition, flow-cell delivery, and system wash and cleaning cycles.
- Perform aseptic cell culture techniques, including thawing, passaging, and banking mammalian (CHO) cell lines, to support experimental studies.
- Collect, process, and analyze Raman spectral and process data; apply chemometric and data-science techniques to build predictive models for metabolites and product quality attributes.
- Collaborate with scientists in cell culture development, automation engineering, and analytical development to refine workflows based on experimental results and team feedback.
- Document experimental methods, data, and results clearly; contribute to a final presentation and/or manuscript-quality summary for internal or external scientific communication.
Benefits
- Competitive pay.
- Relocation support for eligible students.
- Select wellness benefits and paid holiday and sick time.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
