Scientist I, Biotherapeutics Expression

AbbVie • North Chicago, IL

2d • $75,000 - $142,500

About The Position

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine conducts biotherapeutics drug research across disease areas including immunology, oncology, and neuroscience, from early exploratory discovery through clinical development. The Biotherapeutics Production group is seeking an experienced protein expression scientist to join its fast-paced, high-throughput mammalian cell culture expression group, which works at scales from 1 to 200 liters. The role focuses on engineering biologics in CHO cell lines, protein expression, and characterization, while incorporating data digitization and automation capabilities.

The scientist will generate, express, and screen stable CHO cell lines for novel multispecific biologics, optimize attributes such as titer, monomer, and chain-pairing, and support therapeutic-area drug discovery projects. The role also includes CHO process development and optimization, cell-line handling, targeted integration screening, molecular characterization, use of automation and high-throughput workflows, and data capture, analysis, and reporting. The position calls for independent experimental design and interpretation, along with effective collaboration and communication.

The position is eligible for short-term incentive programs. AbbVie offers eligible employees paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401(k). The stated annual compensation range is USD 75,000–142,500. Travel is 5% of the time.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Typically 5 or more years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 2 or more years with a master’s degree.
• Experience with cell culture and protein production of monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and multispecifics in CHO cell lines, including thawing, culturing, expression, and cryopreservation.
• Prior experience in process development and process optimization in CHO cells.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts.
• Collaborative mindset, passion for teamwork and scientific rigor, and commitment to delivering impactful solutions.
• Ability to operate effectively as a strong team player in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with targeted integration, FACS, ddPCR, vector design, and Wave bioreactors.
• Demonstrated proficiency in addressing challenges with therapeutic proteins, such as poor chain pairing, low expression, aggregation, and glycosylation.

Responsibilities

• Generate, express, and screen stable CHO cell lines expressing novel multispecific biologics with optimized attributes such as titer, monomer, and chain-pairing to support therapeutic-area drug discovery projects.
• Develop and optimize processes for fed-batch bioreactor and shake-flask expressions of stable CHO cell lines.
• Handle stable CHO pool cell lines, including thawing, culturing, expression, and cryopreservation.
• Apply targeted integration using FACS-based single-cell sorting for screening.
• Characterize copy number and mRNA transcript levels using ddPCR and related molecular tools.
• Implement and leverage automation platforms and high-throughput workflows to increase efficiency.
• Contribute to data digitization efforts, including electronic data capture, analysis, and concise reporting.
• Independently design and execute experiments and interpret experimental results.

Benefits

• Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k).
• Eligibility to participate in short-term incentive programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level