Director I, Purification Development
AbbVie
July 01, 2026
On-site
Worcester, MA
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Operations
Role Overview:
The Director will lead the development and advancement of robust, scalable purification processes, shaping innovative technologies and strategies to accelerate development timelines and enable commercialization success.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific & Technical Leadership:
- Lead development, optimization, scale-up, and tech transfer of purification processes across early- and late-stage biologics programs
- Drive scientific innovation by developing novel purification approaches and platform enhancements
- Solve complex technical challenges using first-principles and data-driven decision making
- Anticipate scientific, regulatory, and industry trends and translate insights into actionable strategies
Program & Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Represent Purification Development on cross-functional CMC teams to influence integrated development strategies
- Lead tech transfer to pilot and GMP manufacturing sites
- Partner with Upstream, Analytical, Manufacturing, and Regulatory to deliver end-to-end outcomes
- Manage multiple complex programs simultaneously
People & Organizational Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of scientists
- Provide technical coaching and strategic guidance
- Build team capability through talent development, performance management, and succession planning
Innovation & External Impact:
- Generate and lead new scientific proposals and technology initiatives
- Drive intellectual property creation and contribute to the innovation pipeline
- Author technical reports/regulatory filings/publications and represent AbbVie externally
Execution Excellence:
- Guide experimental design and execution
- Ensure delivery of high-quality data/documentation for regulatory submissions and commercialization
- Communicate complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field
- PhD (~12+ years), MS (~16+ years), or BS (~18+ years) in biologics purification process development
- Proven downstream bioprocessing expertise in chromatography (affinity, CEX, AEX, HIC, mixed-mode; resin and membrane) and filtration (depth, viral, sterile, TFF)
- Demonstrated ability to design/execute/interpret complex experiments; develop robust scalable purification processes; drive technical innovation; strong analytical knowledge (e.g., HPLC); hands-on chromatography system experience (e.g., ÄKTA)
- Track record of scientific leadership, publications/regulatory submissions, leading teams, strong communication, and success in matrixed cross-functional environments
The Director will lead the development and advancement of robust, scalable purification processes, shaping innovative technologies and strategies to accelerate development timelines and enable commercialization success.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific & Technical Leadership:
- Lead development, optimization, scale-up, and tech transfer of purification processes across early- and late-stage biologics programs
- Drive scientific innovation by developing novel purification approaches and platform enhancements
- Solve complex technical challenges using first-principles and data-driven decision making
- Anticipate scientific, regulatory, and industry trends and translate insights into actionable strategies
Program & Cross-Functional Leadership:
- Represent Purification Development on cross-functional CMC teams to influence integrated development strategies
- Lead tech transfer to pilot and GMP manufacturing sites
- Partner with Upstream, Analytical, Manufacturing, and Regulatory to deliver end-to-end outcomes
- Manage multiple complex programs simultaneously
People & Organizational Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of scientists
- Provide technical coaching and strategic guidance
- Build team capability through talent development, performance management, and succession planning
Innovation & External Impact:
- Generate and lead new scientific proposals and technology initiatives
- Drive intellectual property creation and contribute to the innovation pipeline
- Author technical reports/regulatory filings/publications and represent AbbVie externally
Execution Excellence:
- Guide experimental design and execution
- Ensure delivery of high-quality data/documentation for regulatory submissions and commercialization
- Communicate complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field
- PhD (~12+ years), MS (~16+ years), or BS (~18+ years) in biologics purification process development
- Proven downstream bioprocessing expertise in chromatography (affinity, CEX, AEX, HIC, mixed-mode; resin and membrane) and filtration (depth, viral, sterile, TFF)
- Demonstrated ability to design/execute/interpret complex experiments; develop robust scalable purification processes; drive technical innovation; strong analytical knowledge (e.g., HPLC); hands-on chromatography system experience (e.g., ÄKTA)
- Track record of scientific leadership, publications/regulatory submissions, leading teams, strong communication, and success in matrixed cross-functional environments