Principal Research Scientist II, Lipid Chemistry
AbbVie
June 24, 2026
Remote friendly (San Diego, CA)
United States
$141,500 - $268,500 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Principal Scientist II, Lipid Chemistry (LNP-delivered mRNA)
Responsibilities:
- Lead and optimize novel lipid designs and chemistries from diverse structural families for LNP platform technology development.
- Plan and execute efficient synthetic routes for target molecules and close analogs; optimize reactions, troubleshoot challenging transformations, and resolve synthetic bottlenecks.
- Design multistep synthesis and purification routes supporting scalability and purity; generate focused analog libraries to explore SAR.
- Independently lead research with cross-functional product development teams to drive design, functional screening, development, and production of novel tLNP formulations for targeted, extra hepatic nucleic acid delivery.
- Stay current via literature/patents/abstracts; provide expertise in lipid nanoparticle-based nucleic acid targeting delivery systems.
- Represent the department in cross-functional platforms, pipeline, and development teams; collaborate to translate in vitro/in vivo findings into improved designs.
- Present synthetic strategies, experimental results, and SAR insights clearly; communicate complex technical topics to collaborators and management.
Qualifications:
- BS (science-related) with 16 years; MS or PharmD with 14 years; PhD with 8 years.
- Pharmaceutical industry experience with independent contributions to novel lipid/delivery chemistry design and development.
- Deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with strong publication or industry record.
- Proven ability in lipid/LNP design, synthetic routes, purification, and analytical characterization (e.g., NMR, LC/MS).
- Extensive experience designing/planning/executing complex multi-step syntheses.
- Strong problem-solving in reaction development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency authoring and reviewing technical reports.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and optimize novel lipid designs and chemistries from diverse structural families for LNP platform technology development.
- Plan and execute efficient synthetic routes for target molecules and close analogs; optimize reactions, troubleshoot challenging transformations, and resolve synthetic bottlenecks.
- Design multistep synthesis and purification routes supporting scalability and purity; generate focused analog libraries to explore SAR.
- Independently lead research with cross-functional product development teams to drive design, functional screening, development, and production of novel tLNP formulations for targeted, extra hepatic nucleic acid delivery.
- Stay current via literature/patents/abstracts; provide expertise in lipid nanoparticle-based nucleic acid targeting delivery systems.
- Represent the department in cross-functional platforms, pipeline, and development teams; collaborate to translate in vitro/in vivo findings into improved designs.
- Present synthetic strategies, experimental results, and SAR insights clearly; communicate complex technical topics to collaborators and management.
Qualifications:
- BS (science-related) with 16 years; MS or PharmD with 14 years; PhD with 8 years.
- Pharmaceutical industry experience with independent contributions to novel lipid/delivery chemistry design and development.
- Deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with strong publication or industry record.
- Proven ability in lipid/LNP design, synthetic routes, purification, and analytical characterization (e.g., NMR, LC/MS).
- Extensive experience designing/planning/executing complex multi-step syntheses.
- Strong problem-solving in reaction development, optimization, and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency authoring and reviewing technical reports.