Senior Scientist II, Preformulation

About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com . Follow @abbvie on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and LinkedIn .

The Biologics Preformulation Group is an integral part of the Drug Development Organization at AbbVie. The primary function of the Preformulation team is to screen early-stage biologic drug candidates developed for diverse therapeutic targets and to help select leads with optimal biophysical and biochemical properties suitable for late-stage development, improving the likelihood of success. Our growing pipeline consists of highly varied drug classes, including small molecules and biologics.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Biologics Development Preformulation Senior/Principal Scientist, based in Worcester, MA.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designs experiments and strategies to efficiently evaluate physicochemical and biophysical properties of multiple discovery-stage molecules and identify liabilities that could impact product development of new biologic entities (antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and fusion proteins). Selects molecules with desired characteristics for further product development.
• Serves as Project Lead for the Preformulation Group, interacting with team members from discovery and product development groups to optimize the workflow of discovery molecules toward new pipeline development. Learns about diverse disease areas and new biological therapeutic initiatives to foster effective collaborations with multiple teams.
• Uses advanced knowledge of formulations, biophysics, biochemistry, and CMC to streamline development of new biologics.
• Takes initiatives to identify new methods and seeks collaborations as needed to pursue research ideas and scientific questions that may arise during preformulation studies. Drafts technical documents and patent applications. Writes manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Attends external conferences for professional development. Communicates ideas and plans to colleagues.
• Mentors junior colleagues and helps maintain a highly collaborative and transparent work environment. Emphasizes efficient work habits and detailed attention to data documentation. Manages product timelines and resources.
• Executes a strong laboratory-based workplan to achieve results. Maintains laboratory equipment and seeks cutting-edge methods and instruments to advance goals.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications include:

• Ph.D. (with 4-6 years experience), or MS (with 10-12 years experience) in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Biopharmaceutics, or related discipline with strong laboratory and technical expertise in biologics and formulation.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in biophysics, physicochemical protein methods, early discovery and late-stage biologic process development.
• Detailed familiarity with protein and small-molecule analytical methods including liquid chromatography (SEC, ion-exchange, hydrophobic-interaction), mass spectrometry, analytical ultracentrifugation, UV-VIS absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, charge measurement, dynamic light scattering, capillary electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis. Experience with high-throughput methods and automation.
• In depth knowledge of protein formulation and solution biophysics including colloidal interactions, viscosity and thermal/conformational stability measurements. Willing to learn new technologies and knowledge areas as needed.
• Computational chemistry knowledge and protein structural modeling experience is highly desired.
• Detailed knowledge of antibodies and protein therapeutics. Experience in ligand-binding assays and bioactivity measurements.
• Excellent communication skills. Demonstrated proficiency in writing technical documents and peer-reviewed publications.
• Laboratory operation and organizational skills are highly desired.

Significant Work Activities
N/A
Travel
No
Job Type
Experienced
Schedule
Full-time
Job Level Code
M
Equal Employment Opportunity
At AbbVie, we value bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to develop new and innovative solutions for patients. As an equal opportunity employer we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.