Principal Research Scientist I, Engineering
AbbVie
August 13, 2026
On-site
North Chicago, IL
$124,500 - $236,500 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Process engineers support API and natural products projects through late-stage development, commercialization, and product life cycle, assessing key unit operations for process robustness, scientific understanding, and scale-up risks from lab to manufacturing. Collaborate cross-functionally (technical, quality, regulatory) and with on-site manufacturing personnel.
Purpose
- Lead research and/or project activities by mentoring/guiding/supervising scientific personnel.
- Oversee design, implementation, and optimization of processes for key modalities (small molecule APIs, antibody drug conjugates, peptides, natural products) from development to commercialization.
- Independently conceive, execute, and communicate novel multi-disciplinary research/development strategies to achieve project goals.
- Serve as lead scientist on own project and contribute insights to other projects.
Responsibilities
- Apply chemical engineering principles (kinetics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, mathematical modeling) in experimental design, problem-solving, and data analysis.
- Adhere to standards for conduct, safety, material handling, controlled drug/radioactive compounds, and GxP compliance.
- Function as principal investigator; generate original technical ideas and strategies.
- Use creative problem-solving to solve difficult issues and champion new technologies.
- Independently own project science within one or more project teams.
- Generate scientific proposals; anticipate and respond to scientific/regulatory advances or competitive threats.
- Lead publications, presentations, regulatory documents, and/or patent inventions; present at leading conferences.
- Mentor/supervise team members and evaluate performance.
Qualifications
- BS/MS/PhD in chemical engineering (or related); 14+ years (BS), 12+ (MS), or 6+ (PhD) relevant industrial experience.
- Excellent written and oral communication; thorough theoretical and practical understanding.
- Demonstrated principal investigator ability.
- Demonstrated scientific communication and presentation at leading conferences.
- Demonstrated success as primary author of publications/presentations/regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents.
Benefits
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) (eligible employees).
Key Leadership Competencies
- Build cross-functional relationships; learn fast and adapt; raise the bar; create a learning environment; nurture innovation; mentor others.
Purpose
- Lead research and/or project activities by mentoring/guiding/supervising scientific personnel.
- Oversee design, implementation, and optimization of processes for key modalities (small molecule APIs, antibody drug conjugates, peptides, natural products) from development to commercialization.
- Independently conceive, execute, and communicate novel multi-disciplinary research/development strategies to achieve project goals.
- Serve as lead scientist on own project and contribute insights to other projects.
Responsibilities
- Apply chemical engineering principles (kinetics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, mathematical modeling) in experimental design, problem-solving, and data analysis.
- Adhere to standards for conduct, safety, material handling, controlled drug/radioactive compounds, and GxP compliance.
- Function as principal investigator; generate original technical ideas and strategies.
- Use creative problem-solving to solve difficult issues and champion new technologies.
- Independently own project science within one or more project teams.
- Generate scientific proposals; anticipate and respond to scientific/regulatory advances or competitive threats.
- Lead publications, presentations, regulatory documents, and/or patent inventions; present at leading conferences.
- Mentor/supervise team members and evaluate performance.
Qualifications
- BS/MS/PhD in chemical engineering (or related); 14+ years (BS), 12+ (MS), or 6+ (PhD) relevant industrial experience.
- Excellent written and oral communication; thorough theoretical and practical understanding.
- Demonstrated principal investigator ability.
- Demonstrated scientific communication and presentation at leading conferences.
- Demonstrated success as primary author of publications/presentations/regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents.
Benefits
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) (eligible employees).
Key Leadership Competencies
- Build cross-functional relationships; learn fast and adapt; raise the bar; create a learning environment; nurture innovation; mentor others.