Sr Scientist I - Biopharmaceutics

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions 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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

The Molecular Profiling and Drug Delivery (MPDD) function within the Small Molecule CMC organization is accountable for a broad range of deliverables across various stages of drug discovery and development. During lead optimization and through candidate selection, MPDD scientists utilize state of the art automation and computational tools supported by expertise in biopharmaceutics, drug delivery, and solid-state chemistry to collaboratively progress candidates with higher probability of success into development and advise clinical formulation strategy. From candidate selection through clinical proof of concept and product launch, MPDD scientists work in cross functional teams to identify the commercial solid form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and establish structure-property-performance correlations to help deliver robust commercial processes and align control strategies across drug substance and product. They also transition drug substance isolation processes and relevant physical characterization methods to commercial manufacturing sites and work within teams to ensure successful regulatory submissions.

Drug Delivery scientists within AbbVie's MPDD organization work collaboratively with other functions within Development Sciences and Discovery to conduct developability assessment to select molecules with higher probability of success for clinical development and eventual commercialization.  This includes profiling of physicochemical properties, development of preclinical formulations, identifying solutions to in vivo absorption challenges, and advancement of novel drug delivery strategies across multiple routes of administration that are aligned with program target product profiles and downstream partners.  Modalities of interest include traditional small molecules as well as complex chemically synthesized modalities such as PROTACs and peptides.  In this role, you will work in cross-functional teams in matrixed environments and engage in multidisciplinary problem solving.

Job Description

AbbVie's MPDD organization is seeking a highly motivated, talented, and creative scientist with expertise and experience in biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutical science, and drug delivery for a Senior Scientist I position.  The primary role of this position is to serve as a biopharm project leader within MPDD to support discovery and early clinical programs and lead peptide oral delivery programs.  This individual will lead CMC developability assessment for emerging molecules on peptide and small molecule pipeline programs.  This role will also entail contributing towards developing our drug delivery capabilities with a focus on complex chemically synthesized modalities.  This person will be working collaboratively with discovery and development partners across disciplines to improve delivery of these modalities and advance molecules to clinical development with improved developability profiles.  The desired candidate will have a strong background and hand-on experience in the areas of physicochemical and/or biophysical properties and their impact on developability, preclinical and/or clinical formulation, biopharmaceutics, and drug delivery concepts relevant to small molecules and peptides

• Senior Scientist I typically requires Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. with 10+ (B.S.), 8+ (M.S.), and 1-3 (Ph.D.) years of experience in pharmaceutical or related industry.  Preferred educational backgrounds include but are not restricted to Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Chemical/ Biomedical Engineering, and Materials Science.
• Fundamental understanding of biopharmaceutics as it relates to drug absorption across routes of administration including biorelevant dissolution testing, ex vivo permeability assessment, and peptide aggregation.
• Familiarity and preferred hands-on experience in physicochemical property assessment related to understanding CMC developability profile and potential risk mitigation strategies.  Techniques of interest include, but are not limited to: chromatography, DSF, rat intestinal perfusion, Ussing Chambers, Franz Diffusion cells, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, microscopy, biophysical characterization techniques, etc.
• Experience developing and characterizing drug delivery systems to improve the bioperformance of peptides, in particular the use of permeation enhancer formulations.
• Experience supporting GLP toxicology studies for oral peptide development.
• Knowledge of preclinical and clinical formulation development principles relevant to chemically synthesized molecules across routes of administration.
• Excellent self-management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills and ability to clearly communicate theories and concepts, influence others without authority, and drive technical excellence.

​Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​
• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of  any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. ​

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

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