Principal Research Scientist I, Lipid Chemistry

Company Description

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  . Follow @abbvie on  LinkedIn,   Facebook ,  Instagram ,  X and  YouTube.

Job Description

We seek a Principal Scientist II, Lipid Chemistry to join an experienced, fast-paced and collaborative team focused on developing lipid nanoparticle delivered mRNA medicine. This position will lead the design and synthesis of novel lipids including but not limited to ionizable lipids and other proprietary delivery chemistries. The ideal candidate brings strong instincts in advanced organic synthesis, route planning, and reaction optimization, with the creativity and rigor to generate high-quality analog series. Success in this chemistry focused role depends on the ability to independently conceive, synthesize, purify, and characterize compounds, then use data to iterate rapidly toward improved molecules.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Lead and optimize novel lipid designs and chemistries from diverse structural families for LNP platform technology development
• Plan and execute efficient synthetic routes for target molecules and close analogs. Optimize reactions, troubleshoot challenging transformations, and solve synthetic bottlenecks.
• Design multistep routes of synthesis and purification for scalability and purity in keeping with project goals and timelines. Generate focused analog libraries to explore structure–activity relationships and guide design decisions.
• Independently lead research efforts through deep technical understanding and work collaboratively within a cross-functional product development team to drive design, functional screening, development and production of novel tLNP formulations for targeted, extra hepatic delivery of nucleic acid payloads.
• Review scientific literature, patents, scientific abstracts to stay up to date on latest in the field. Provide scientific expertise in the organization with special emphasis on lipid nanoparticle-based drug targeting delivery systems for nucleic acids
• Represent department in cross-functional platforms, pipeline and development teams. Collaborate with cross-functional discovery teams to translate in vitro and in vivo experimental findings into improved molecular designs.
• Present synthetic strategies, experimental results, and SAR insights clearly and concisely.
• Effectively communicate complex technical topics to collaborators and management. Present synthetic strategies, experimental results, and SAR insights clearly and concisely.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field with 14 years of related work; Master’s Degree Science or PharmD with 12 years of related work; PhD in Science or related field with 6 years of related work experience.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry for which you have been responsible for independent contributions in the design and development of novel lipids and other delivery chemistries
• Demonstrated deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with a strong publication or industry record.
• Deep technical prowess and demonstrated ability with respect to successful design, synthetic routes, purification strategies, analytical characterization (e.g. NMR, LC/MS) for lipids and LNP formulations.
• Extensive experience in advanced route design, synthesis planning, and execution of complex multi-step syntheses.
• Strong problem-solving skills in synthesis, including reaction development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Strong proficiency authoring and reviewing technical reports.

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 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. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit 

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