Principal Research Scientist II, Process Chemistry

Job Description

The Process Chemistry group is responsible for inventing and executing the chemical processes for preparing active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) to enable toxicology studies, clinical trials, and drug product development for AbbVie’s pre-clinical and clinical candidates. We create valuable intellectual property through composition of matter, chemical processes, and technology, resulting in the development of safe and cost-effective commercial manufacturing processes.

AbbVie is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Principal Research Scientist II to contribute to chemical process research and development of small molecules, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, and other modalities via expertise in chemical catalysis. The selected candidate will lead the development of catalytic processes for the scalable synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and application of AI/ML tools for the discovery and optimization of catalytic reactions. Deep expertise in chemical catalysis, a strong foundation in synthetic organic chemistry, and the technical versatility to integrate modern computational and high-throughput experimentation tools into process development is required for this role.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the setting and implementation of strategies for solving complex synthetic problems in process development, via implementation of chemical catalytic methods.  

• Lead efforts in the identification and design of chemical catalysts in support of novel or improved synthetic transformations for API process development.  

• Effectively apply expertise in CMC development in support of business development activities. 

• Leverage AI/ML tools and high-throughput experimentation (HTE) to accelerate reaction screening, optimization, and process development cycles. 

• Participate in and/or lead project teams associated with process development and characterization for small molecules, peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, and other modalities. 

• Lead a group of scientists, set project strategies and responsibilities, define timelines, and provide mentorship in a matrixed team setting.  

• Connect unrelated concepts to generate new ideas and always be on the lookout for the next big win.  

• Author and review technical reports, regulatory documents, patents, and scientific publications, present findings at internal and external scientific forums. 

• Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding GxP compliance, code of conduct, safety, and appropriate handling of materials. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD Degree in organic chemistry with typically 16+ (BS), 14+ (MS) or 8+ (PhD) years of experience.  

• Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with demonstrated hands-on experience in catalysis  

• Experience with high-throughput experimentation (HTE) platforms and data analysis workflows for rapid catalyst identification and reaction optimization. 

• Demonstrated ability in innovating new chemical and automation technologies. 

• Proven scientific leadership; strong interpersonal and communication skills for facilitating collaborations. 

• Experience in synthetic molecule process development.  

• Proven track-record of high impact publications in external scientific journals. 

• Proven track-record as an industry leader in the field of catalysis. 

• Proven track-record as a people manager. 

Additional information

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 long-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.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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.