Scientist II - Bioprocess Cell Culture Development
About The Position
The Scientist II is part of AbbVie’s DevSci Biologics Drug Substance group based at ABA. The group provides technical support for manufacturing development of novel biologics, technology transfers, and bioprocess innovation projects. The role executes tasks to achieve departmental and project goals, applying cell culture, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques and clearly communicating scientific rationale, methods, and results in writing and orally. The position performs routine cell-culture laboratory work and analytical measurements, troubleshoots operational challenges, proposes experiments, and collaborates across CMC functions to optimize processes for difficult-to-manufacture biologics. It also executes and analyzes high-throughput batch and fed-batch experiments. The role requires careful documentation, interpretation, and timely communication of results, along with adherence to corporate conduct and safety standards. The position is expected to work onsite in a BSL II laboratory.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education with typically 7 or more years of experience, or a master’s degree or equivalent education with typically 5 or more years of experience.
- Prior experience in mammalian cell culture techniques, bioreactor operation, and cell culture media preparation.
- Experience with single-use mammalian cell-culture tools used in bioprocess development, including deep-well plates, shake flasks, wave/rocking machines, ambr250 systems, and stirred-tank reactors from bench scale (<5 L) to pilot scale (>50 L).
- Excellent aseptic technique and familiarity with sterilization and disinfection principles.
- Familiarity with troubleshooting techniques and implementing quality controls in a developmental laboratory.
- Experience in process development, optimization, and troubleshooting, particularly translating product quality attributes or desired product quality profiles into relevant cell-culture process conditions.
- Experience using spent-media analysis to inform media optimization and process development.
- Experience setting up high-throughput experiments in fed-batch and batch modes, and comfort with automation and manual intervention as needed.
- Understanding of practical considerations for scaling conditions from high-throughput systems to larger scales across cell-culture cryopreservation, thaw, expansion, perfusion, fed-batch production, and primary recovery, including across different sites.
- Experience reviewing and analyzing batch records and designing experiments to address gaps between developmental processes and cGMP site capabilities.
- Excellent communication skills and experience using collaborative cloud-based technologies.
- Knowledge of biological data collection and analysis tools, including JMP, GraphPad Prism, HPLCs, blood gas analyzers, and metabolite analyzers, as well as MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to maintain laboratory instrumentation, inventory, and cleanliness.
- Strong interpersonal skills to thrive in a team environment.
- Ability to perform activities involving constant standing, walking, and sitting, reach into biosafety cabinets for cell-culture work, and occasionally lift 50 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with perfusion technologies.
- Some experience with LIMS deployment or development.
Responsibilities
- Prepare media and buffers; thaw cryopreserved cells; passage, sample, and bank cells independently and competently.
- Measure cell growth, gas content, pH, osmolality, nutrients, and metabolites, and perform HPLC analysis of monoclonal antibody titers.
- Troubleshoot operational hurdles using technical expertise and available information, adapting protocols as necessary.
- Propose scientific experiments in mammalian cell culture.
- Collaborate across CMC functions to optimize bioprocess parameters for producing difficult-to-manufacture biologics.
- Execute high-throughput fed-batch and batch experiments and analyze the resulting data.
- Adapt work priorities based on business needs and contribute to innovative projects and project timelines.
- Prioritize tasks and work with attention to detail, urgency, and a productive team orientation.
- Document work accurately, critically analyze and interpret data, and promptly communicate results through electronic means.
- Follow corporate standards for conduct and safety, including appropriate handling of materials.
- Maintain laboratory instrumentation, inventory, and cleanliness to support a safe, effective, and efficient developmental laboratory.
- Work onsite to execute experiments in a BSL II laboratory.
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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
