Scientist II, Fermentation Process Development – Recombinant Peptides

AbbVie • Irvine, CA

2d • $84,500 - $162,000

About The Position

AbbVie’s Biologics CMC organization develops processes that support the advancement and manufacture of biologic medicines. The Scientist II will contribute to development of microbial processes for recombinant peptide production, performing hands-on fermentation studies and helping develop, optimize, and scale upstream processes for therapeutic peptides. The role collaborates with colleagues in strain development, downstream processing, analytical development, and other functions to generate reliable data and support project goals.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent with 5 or more years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 7 or more years of relevant experience.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of microbial cultivation and fermentation, preferably using E. coli and/or yeast.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, and interpret critical experiments to answer scientific questions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, adapt, and optimize experimental methods and techniques in response to project needs.
• Experience operating bioreactors and applying fermentation parameters such as pH, temperature, agitation, aeration, and dissolved oxygen.
• Ability to troubleshoot experiments and instrumentation, recognize significant deviations, and determine appropriate follow-up work.
• Strong scientific writing, verbal communication, data interpretation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to consult and apply relevant scientific literature and communicate findings in the context of project objectives.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet timelines, and work effectively with cross-functional collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and interpret critical fermentation experiments to answer scientific questions and advance project goals.
• Develop and optimize microbial cultivation and fermentation processes, including work with hosts such as Escherichia coli and yeast.
• Evaluate the effects of media composition, inoculum conditions, feed strategies, induction conditions, temperature, pH, agitation, aeration, and dissolved oxygen on growth and product expression.
• Operate, maintain, and optimize bench-scale bioreactors and support microscale, parallel, and scale-down fermentation studies.
• Troubleshoot experiments, instrumentation, and routine process issues; adapt or innovate protocols and techniques as project needs evolve.
• Collaborate with strain-development colleagues to screen and characterize microbial clones and expression systems.
• Analyze fermentation data, including growth, substrate use, process parameters, product titer, and yield, and place findings in the relevant scientific context.
• Collaborate with strain-development, downstream-processing, and analytical teams to assess expression, peptide recovery, and product quality.
• Consult scientific literature to inform experimental design, interpret findings, and solve technical problems.
• Set and meet experimental timelines, communicate plans and results, contribute to technical documentation, and improve laboratory methods and operations.
• Follow applicable corporate standards for conduct, safety, material handling, and GxP compliance, as relevant to the work.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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