Principal Research Scientist I, Process Chemistry

AbbVie seeks a Principal Research Scientist I in Process Chemistry to develop biocatalytic processes for active pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis across multiple therapeutic modalities. The role combines expertise in biocatalysis, synthetic organic chemistry, and AI/ML tools to advance scalable drug manufacturing and process innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement biocatalytic strategies to solve complex synthetic challenges in process development
• Design and engineer enzymes using recombinant DNA, protein expression, and directed evolution methodologies
• Apply AI/ML tools, bioinformatics platforms, and high-throughput experimentation to accelerate enzyme optimization
• Lead or participate in project teams for process development of small molecules, peptides, and antibody-drug conjugates
• Author technical reports, regulatory documents, patents, and scientific publications for internal and external forums

Requirements

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in organic chemistry with 14+, 12+, or 6+ years experience respectively
• Deep expertise in biocatalysis with demonstrated enzyme screening, characterization, and synthetic application
• Proficiency in recombinant DNA techniques and heterologous protein expression
• Experience with high-throughput experimentation platforms and data analysis workflows
• Demonstrated ability to apply AI/ML and data science to chemical synthesis problems
• Proven track record in synthetic molecule process development
• Strong scientific leadership and interpersonal communication skills