Senior Scientist II, CMC BioProcess Purification Development

The Biologics CMC Development team at AbbVie in the Bay Area has a long and rich history of biologics development. Located in a state of the art facility in South San Francisco, the team leverages its comprehensive end-to-end CMC capabilities to work collaboratively through all phases of CMC development with a primary focus on advancing complex biologic therapies, such as multi-specifics, and novel modalities, to human clinical studies and eventual licensure. This role is within a team of highly experienced scientists and managers who have directly enabled the development/IND submissions of 20+ novel biologics and successfully filed two BLAs.
As a member of the CMC Purification Development group, you will apply strong downstream process-development expertise to design robust, phase-appropriate drug substance purification processes for GMP production, clinical studies, and eventual licensure. You will own purification deliverables for assigned programs, help define drug substance development strategy as a functional lead on cross-functional CMC teams, and communicate data-driven recommendations, risks, and tradeoffs to key stakeholders.
This position is an onsite role in a lab-based function. To be successful candidates must enjoy and thrive in a fast-paced and highly collaborative lab environment with daily face-to-face cross-functional interactions between scientists.
Responsibilities
Develop, optimize, characterize, and scale up purification processes for monoclonal antibodies, multispecifics, antibody-like molecules, and other complex biologic candidates across early- and late-stage drug substance process development
Lead technology transfer to internal or external GMP manufacturing sites; author transfer packages, support facility fit and readiness, and provide technical troubleshooting during clinical manufacturing
Develop viral clearance strategy and oversee studies with contract laboratories, including protocol development, technical review, data interpretation, and report approval
Optimize purification platforms and deepen process understanding through mechanistic modeling, statistical design of experiments, data analytics, and targeted wet-lab studies
Conceive and evaluate novel, advanced bioprocess technologies that are in line with the group’s strategy
Maintain current scientific knowledge by critically reviewing peer-reviewed literature, regulatory guidance, patents, and emerging industry trends, and translate relevant advances into program strategy, experimental design, and platform development Seize opportunities to pursue project relevant leads that are in line with the group’s strategy
Write technical publications, reports, presentations, and regulatory filings including publishing research in peer-reviewed journals and presenting work at scientific conferences
Work efficiently, collaboratively, and cross-functionally to meet project deliverables and timelines.
Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, appropriate handling of materials, and GxP compliance, where applicable
Mentor and train junior scientists
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 12+ years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 10+ years of experience, PhD and typically 4+ years of experience.
Demonstrated understanding of downstream bioprocess unit operations, including affinity, ion-exchange, and hydrophobic-interaction chromatography; depth and virus filtration; tangential-flow filtration; and formulation or bulk drug substance handling.
Demonstrated depth of scientific knowledge in protein biochemistry, separation science, and/or bioprocess engineering, with the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and apply relevant findings to hypothesis-driven experimental design, data interpretation, and technical decision-making.
Able to independently design, execute, use and reference literature publications, and interpret laboratory experiments to answer scientific questions .

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No