Sr Scientist I

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 Process Sciences Department at the AbbVie Bioresearch Center in Worcester, MA is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Scientist to join the CHO Cell Line Development team, working collaboratively with Drug Discovery teams to advance the AbbVie Biologics pipeline. The scientist should have in-depth experience with NGS, sequence analysis, mammalian cell mRNA splicing analysis, codon usage optimization, and molecular biology techniques used in the biopharmaceutical industry. The scientist will be responsible for the expression vector design, and optimization, CHO cell line development as well as genetic characterization of cell lines and cell banks to support CHO cell line development.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Sanger Sequencing, RNA-Seq
• Function as an investigator to lead and coordinate design, construction and quality control of plasmid DNA
• Lead and develop efforts to understand the mechanism of mRNA cryptic splicing in CHO cells, design vector using codon optimization techniques to avoid and reduce mis-splicing in CHO cells
• Optimize mammalian cell expression plasmid vector sequences to improve transcription and mRNA stability to support highly productive stable CHO cell line development suitable for cGMP biotherapeutic manufacturing
• Develop and/or characterize highly-productive stable CHO cell lines suitable for cGMP biotherapeutic manufacturing within project timelines
• Genetic characterization of cell lines for cGMP manufacturing
• Evaluate and implement analysis software
• Author and review technical reports to support regulatory filling
• Effectively organize and communicate research progress and planned activities through oral and written presentations
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the lab, with clear and accurate documentation of experiments
• Contribute to our team performance and process improvement in a climate of scientific rigor, working collaboratively on projects across multiple Process Science groups
• Demonstrate scientific initiative and creative thinking in achieving project goals and implementing technology innovations. Seek out new information and opportunities to advance our technologies
• Understand and enforce corporate standards regarding code of conduct, documentation, safety, appropriate handling of materials, and GxP compliance

Qualifications

Qualifications

Basic:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology with 0-3 years of relevant experience, M.S. degree in Molecular Biology with 3-10 years of relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, or Bachelor's Degree with more than 10 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
• Enable cGMP biotherapeutics manufacturing and associated areas of expertise (e.g., cell and molecular biology, genetic characterization, cell line development, gene editing, process development, recombinant protein production)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Strong scientific curiosity with a passion for problem-solving and optimization
• Self-motivated with excellent attention to detail and ability to multi-task. Strong organizational, planning and trouble-shooting skills
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment

Preferred:

• Proven track record in one or more of the following: Next Generation Sequencing, CHO cell line development, cell line genetic characterization, vector construction, gene editing

Key Leadership Competencies:

• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functional team members
• Learns quickly, grasps the 'essence' and can change the course quickly where indicated
• Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo
• Embraces a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for continuous improvement

Significant Work Activities
Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)
Travel
No
Job Type
Experienced
Schedule
Full-time
Job Level Code
IC
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.