Senior Scientist I, Biologics Drug Substance Development (Cell Culture Development)

Company Description

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 – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Job Description

The Biologics CMC Development team at AbbVie has a long and rich history of biologics development. Now located in a new 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 biologic therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, bi-specifics and novel modalities, to human clinical studies and eventual licensure. This role will be imbedded in a team of highly experienced scientists and managers who have directly enabled the development/IND submissions of 20+ novel oncology drugs and successfully filed two BLAs.

The Cell Culture Development Group in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Senior Scientist I to join a talented and collaborative team to 1) develop and implement machine learning models for predicting optimal cell culture process performance and 2) develop robust, phase-appropriate cell culture processes for drug substance GMP production to enable human clinical studies and eventual licensure cell culture. As a senior scientist, you will be responsible for all aspects of ML model development and CMC cell culture program deliverables and help drive drugs substance cell culture development strategy though program lead assignments in cross-functional CMC teams.

This position is an onsite role in a lab-based function. To be successful, candidates must enjoy and thrive in an onsite, highly collaborative lab environment with face-to-face cross-functional interactions between scientists.

In this position, you will perform cell culture process modeling, cell culture process development, scale-up, and technology transfer activities in a well-supported and dynamic environment to help advance novel biotherapeutics into human clinical studies. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, refine, and validate machine learning (ML) models for predicting cell culture process performance
• Communicate model findings and suggest experimental strategy and/or workflow improvements to support early- and late-stage development
• Design and execute scalable ambr250, 2L, 50L, 200L and 500L single use bioreactors processes
• Design scalable inoculum expansion and master cell bank generation processes
• Design and execute small scale and pilot scale depth filtration and centrifugation primary recovery processes
• Lead the tech transfer of cell culture and primary recovery processes to GMP manufacturing facilities in other locations
• Provide person-in-plant support at the GMP manufacturing facility
• Represent the cell culture development group in cross-functional meetings and collaborate closely with cell line, purification, analytical and formulation development leads to meet project deliverables and timelines
• Author and review technical reports, GMP campaign summary reports and relevant sections in regulatory filings 
• Actively seek out opportunities to optimize our platform or enhance our understanding of cell culture processes
• Publish or present scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals, internal or external conferences or consortia  
• Display effective organization, verbal written communication skills, and adherence to good documentation practices

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: 

• Scientific degree in computer science, statistics and applied mathematics, computational biology, bioinformatics, data science, chemical engineering, bioengineering, biotechnology, or a related field, with BS or equivalent education and 10+ years of experience, OR MS or equivalent education and 8+ years of experience, OR PhD and 0+ years of experience
• Must have industry or research experience in developing, implementing, and validating ML models
• Must have a strong understanding of statistical methods, ML methodologies, and ML frameworks (e.g., Sci-kit Learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch)
• Must demonstrate programming competency for model implementation in Python or equivalent
• Must have experience in data visualization tools (e.g., Matplotlib, Plotly) to communicate model finding
• Proficient in aseptic technique
• Basic understanding of mammalian cell and molecular biology and cell culture bioprocess engineering concepts
• Experienced in developing and executing mammalian suspension cell culture processes in shake flasks, ambr250, and/or 2L bioreactors
• Strong attention to detail; active and quick learner; able to change course quickly as needed; raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo; open to suggestions and embraces the ideas of others; collaborative actively builds relationships with others
• Experienced in authoring peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, regulatory documents, and/or presentations at conferences
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software and strong familiarity with statistical modelling software/tools (e.g., JMP, SIMCA, Minitab, Design Expert)

Preferred: 

• Prior experience in developing and implementing ML models for biological data is highly desirable
• Experience in implementing transfer learning is highly desirable
• Expertise in programming (e.g., Python, Javascript, C++)
• Experience in CMC cell culture process development is highly desirable
• Demonstrated scientific aptitude through authorship of peer-reviewed publications 
• Strong understanding of design of experiments (DOE)

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 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