Scientist I, Biopharmaceutics

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

9d•$75,000 - $142,500

About The Position

The Molecular Profiling and Drug Delivery (MPDD) function within AbbVie’s Small Molecule CMC organization supports drug discovery and development through candidate selection, clinical development, and product launch. Its scientists use automation, computational tools, and expertise in biopharmaceutics, drug delivery, and solid-state chemistry to assess candidates, advise clinical formulation strategy, identify commercial solid forms, establish structure-property-performance correlations, support robust commercial processes and control strategies, transition processes and characterization methods to manufacturing sites, and contribute to regulatory submissions. Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery scientists collaborate across Development Sciences and Discovery to assess developability and advance molecules toward clinical development and commercialization. Their work includes physicochemical profiling, preclinical formulation development, addressing in vivo absorption challenges, and advancing drug delivery strategies across routes of administration. Modalities include small molecules and complex chemically synthesized molecules such as protein degraders and peptides. AbbVie is seeking a motivated scientist to design, execute, analyze, and interpret studies characterizing drug candidates’ biopharmaceutical properties and informing developability and product performance decisions for peptide and small-molecule programs. The scientist will apply scientific knowledge and laboratory skills to early- and late-stage development, generate quality data, communicate findings clearly, and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with typically 5 years of experience, or master’s degree or equivalent education with typically 2 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or a related industry.
Fundamental understanding of biopharmaceutics and drug absorption across routes of administration, including solubility, biorelevant dissolution testing, permeability, ex vivo permeability assessment, and peptide aggregation.
Ability to analyze data and draw scientifically sound conclusions.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain theories and concepts clearly, influence others without authority, and drive technical excellence.
Excellent self-management and organizational skills, with attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, demonstrate scientific rigor, and contribute through critical thinking and clear communication.

Nice To Haves

Preferred educational backgrounds include Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, or Materials Science.
Familiarity with, and preferred hands-on laboratory experience in, in vitro assays and standard analytical techniques for physicochemical and biopharmaceutical property assessment and CMC developability profiling.
Experience with techniques of interest such as chromatography, DSF, rat intestinal perfusion, Ussing Chambers, Franz Diffusion cells, dissolution, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, microscopy, or biophysical characterization.
Knowledge of preclinical and clinical formulation development principles for chemically synthesized molecules across routes of administration.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments on biopharmaceutical properties of small molecules and peptides, including solubility, dissolution, permeability, stability, aggregation, precipitation, and formulation performance, as applicable.
Generate high-quality data and maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation of experimental procedures, results, and conclusions.
Analyze and summarize data using appropriate scientific methods, and communicate findings to project teams and functional stakeholders.
Assess candidate molecules and formulations by identifying key risks and opportunities and making data-driven recommendations.
Support development, optimization, and continuous improvement of experimental methods, workflows, and scientific capabilities.
Maintain awareness of external scientific advances and incorporate relevant knowledge into project work where appropriate.
Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and scientifically rigorous team environment.