Senior Scientist I, Cell/Molecular Biology in Irvine

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.

The Toxins group within the Product Development, Science & Technology (PDS&T) - Biologics organization supports manufacturing, process validation, regulatory submission, and continuous improvement for late-stage and commercial manufacturing of biological toxin products at AbbVie. This role involves leveraging scientific and bioengineering principles to develop bioassays for analytical testing at drug substance and drug product release and stability time points. The candidate must possess in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in a range of techniques, including but not limited to molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, PCR, Western blot, cell sorting, bioassay, microscopy, transfection, HPLC, and mass spectrometry. Moreover, excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in a multi-disciplinary and cross-functional team environment are essential for success in this role.

• Lead scientific initiatives by generating innovative technical ideas and strategic approaches to advance research objectives and overcome experimental challenges.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of project goals, aligning research activities with broader objectives and adapting experimental plans as needed based on new data, project developments, or shifting priorities.
• Independently design, execute, and interpret complex experiments with rigorous methodology to ensure reproducibility and accurate data interpretation.
• Develop, optimize, and implement novel experimental protocols by leveraging emerging technologies to drive scientific progress and solve technical issues.
• Maintain advanced, up-to-date expertise in relevant scientific and technical disciplines, applying this knowledge to experimental design, troubleshooting, method development, and integration of best practices from current literature.
• Establish and manage clear experimental timelines, closely tracking progress and ensuring timely completion of project deliverables through strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Deliver high-quality scientific communication by drafting and editing SOPs, technical reports, publications, presentations, and patent applications according to industry and regulatory standards.
• Effectively organize, analyze, and present scientific ideas and experimental data to cross-functional teams and stakeholders through impactful written and oral communications.

• Advanced degree in a relevant field: Ph.D. (with 6+ months biopharmaceutical industry experience preferred), Master’s degree (6+ years industry experience) and Bachelor’s degree (8+ years industry experience) in Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biochemical or Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or closely related disciplines.
• Robust research background in neuroscience, with direct expertise in neural cancer cell and primary cell culture, 3D cell models, and complex co-culture systems preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in developing and optimizing these models for scientific study or drug discovery applications.
• Proficient in RNA microinjection for protein expression and functional evaluations, with a solid understanding of related molecular techniques.
• Experienced in the generation of stable cell lines and the design and execution of novel cell-based assays.
• Highly skilled in high-resolution imaging and live-cell imaging techniques, including advanced confocal microscopy, fluorescence-based assays, and related methodologies for monitoring cellular processes in real time.
• Extensive laboratory experience with molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, PCR, Western blotting, cell sorting, bioassays, advanced microscopy, transfection procedures, HPLC, and mass spectrometry.
• Knowledgeable in genome editing approaches—including CRISPR/Cas9—with a thorough understanding of design, execution, and validation of gene editing experiments.
• Previous GxP experience and attention to detail in documentation preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer skills essential for scientific research, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and advanced data analysis.
• Capable of analyzing, interpreting, and presenting complex data sets using specialized scientific software (e.g., Python, R, JMP).
• Experience with laboratory automation platforms (such as Hamilton) is highly desirable.
• Proven scientific leadership, demonstrated by being the main author on published research papers and holding patents.
• Skilled at designing experiments, solving problems creatively, developing thorough experimental plans, and independently troubleshooting and validating results.
• Demonstrated ability to stay current with scientific advances, critically assess relevant literature, and quickly integrate emerging concepts and techniques into research projects.
• Detail-oriented work style, with a proven record of delivering high-quality and reproducible data within tight timelines.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enabling effective teamwork within multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams.
• Able to communicate complex scientific information clearly through both spoken presentations and technical documentation.
• Self-motivated and adaptable, with a passion for scientific discovery and a commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.