Senior Scientist I, Cell Line Development
AbbVie
4 months ago
On-site
South San Francisco, CA
$96,500 - $183,500 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Overview:
Senior Scientist I role in AbbVie’s Cell Line Development (CLD) Innovation Group developing next-generation CHO cell line platforms for recombinant antibodies and complex biologics. Hands-on, laboratory-focused work independently driving expression-optimization projects from experimental design through execution and data interpretation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Independently conceive and design CHO expression improvement studies across vector and host cell.
- Design and test dozens of vector constructs in recombinant stable CHO lines to increase mAb titer.
- Perform lab techniques including transfection, aseptic CHO culture, DNA gene copy number analysis, RNA expression analysis, mAb titer measurement, cell engineering (knock-in/out), and in vitro transcription.
- Execute transfection, screening, and clone-characterization from externally sourced vector libraries to generate decision-quality data.
- Operate and interpret CLD instrumentation (Octet/BLI, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, Beacon microfluidic screening, flow cytometry, ddPCR/RT-qPCR); share responsibility for equipment maintenance.
- Apply genome-to-protein theory of recombinant expression (epigenetics, transcription, mRNA stability, translation, secretory machinery) and industrial CHO engineering constraints.
- Author/co-author technical reports; present to teams and leadership.
- Collaborate with cell culture, analytical, purification, and bioinformatics colleagues; follow safety and documentation standards.
Qualifications:
Required:
- BS +10 yrs, MS +8 yrs, or PhD with no minimum in molecular/cell biology, biochemistry, or related field.
- Proven literature review, experimental control design, independent data analysis, and communication.
- Vector improvement expertise for recombinant antibody expression in stable CHO cells.
- Strong theoretical knowledge of mammalian protein expression regulation and secretion; mRNA stability.
- Geneious Prime (or similar) for DNA/vector/primer/probe design and sequence alignments.
- Proficiency with CRISPR/Cas (or similar) for knock-in/out.
- Proficiency with relevant techniques/instrumentation (transfection, aseptic mammalian cell culture, Octet, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, Beacon).
- Ability to learn new techniques, multitask, and meet timelines.
- Strong verbal/written communication and digital lab notebook record-keeping.
Preferred:
- Industry CHO cell line development experience in a CMC/drug-substance environment.
- Industrial/CMC CHO platform improvement experience; passion for maximizing mAb titer.
- Prior CMC experience for GMP-bound CHO cell line generation.
- Flow cytometry experience; broader expression-engineering strategies.
- NGS knowledge and/or experience; Python/R for data analysis/visualization.
Senior Scientist I role in AbbVie’s Cell Line Development (CLD) Innovation Group developing next-generation CHO cell line platforms for recombinant antibodies and complex biologics. Hands-on, laboratory-focused work independently driving expression-optimization projects from experimental design through execution and data interpretation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Independently conceive and design CHO expression improvement studies across vector and host cell.
- Design and test dozens of vector constructs in recombinant stable CHO lines to increase mAb titer.
- Perform lab techniques including transfection, aseptic CHO culture, DNA gene copy number analysis, RNA expression analysis, mAb titer measurement, cell engineering (knock-in/out), and in vitro transcription.
- Execute transfection, screening, and clone-characterization from externally sourced vector libraries to generate decision-quality data.
- Operate and interpret CLD instrumentation (Octet/BLI, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, Beacon microfluidic screening, flow cytometry, ddPCR/RT-qPCR); share responsibility for equipment maintenance.
- Apply genome-to-protein theory of recombinant expression (epigenetics, transcription, mRNA stability, translation, secretory machinery) and industrial CHO engineering constraints.
- Author/co-author technical reports; present to teams and leadership.
- Collaborate with cell culture, analytical, purification, and bioinformatics colleagues; follow safety and documentation standards.
Qualifications:
Required:
- BS +10 yrs, MS +8 yrs, or PhD with no minimum in molecular/cell biology, biochemistry, or related field.
- Proven literature review, experimental control design, independent data analysis, and communication.
- Vector improvement expertise for recombinant antibody expression in stable CHO cells.
- Strong theoretical knowledge of mammalian protein expression regulation and secretion; mRNA stability.
- Geneious Prime (or similar) for DNA/vector/primer/probe design and sequence alignments.
- Proficiency with CRISPR/Cas (or similar) for knock-in/out.
- Proficiency with relevant techniques/instrumentation (transfection, aseptic mammalian cell culture, Octet, ViCell, CloneSelect Imager, Beacon).
- Ability to learn new techniques, multitask, and meet timelines.
- Strong verbal/written communication and digital lab notebook record-keeping.
Preferred:
- Industry CHO cell line development experience in a CMC/drug-substance environment.
- Industrial/CMC CHO platform improvement experience; passion for maximizing mAb titer.
- Prior CMC experience for GMP-bound CHO cell line generation.
- Flow cytometry experience; broader expression-engineering strategies.
- NGS knowledge and/or experience; Python/R for data analysis/visualization.