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Principal Research Scientist II

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Jul 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a process problem in manufacturing that you were called in to solve.

What they are checking: Whether they are the person who gets called, which is what principal means here.

How do you give technical guidance to a manufacturing team that reports to someone else?

What they are checking: Influence without authority, which is most of a technical expert role.

Tell me about a time your technical recommendation was overruled.

What they are checking: Whether they can disagree and then support the decision.

What development in parenteral processing do you think matters most right now?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the field, which a principal role is expected to.

What would you do

How do you work with an external partner who does things differently from your own plants?

What they are checking: The posting names external partners, and this is where technology transfer fails.

How do you decide a process is ready to move from development into manufacturing?

What they are checking: Judgment about readiness, which is where launches slip or fail.

About the work

Tell me about your experience with parenteral manufacturing processes.

What they are checking: Whether sterile manufacturing is genuinely their field, since it does not transfer from oral solid dose.

Walk me through troubleshooting a filling machine that is losing yield.

What they are checking: The posting names filling machines as the technical specialism, and this is the real work.

How do you approach selecting process equipment for a new or expanding line?

What they are checking: Equipment selection, which the posting names and which commits a plant for a decade.

How do you work with quality on a process change?

What they are checking: Change control in a regulated plant, which is where good engineering meets paperwork.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

AbbVie's Product Development Science & Technology (PDS&T) organization is seeking a highly motivated, talented, and creative Principal Research Scientist II to be a key contributor for our Process Engineering Science team within Parenteral PDS&T, offering advanced technical expertise in the field of process engineering and troubleshooting of parenteral manufacturing processes. This role demands leadership in the development and life cycle for parenteral manufacturing processes and collaboration with global engineering, manufacturing, process development, quality and external partners to ensure successful process design and commercialization of the drug product. In your role as technical expert for filling machines and process engineering you will work collaboratively in multi-functional teams and contribute process insights into multiple other projects from development through to product launch and technical commercial support and troubleshooting. Responsibilities: • Possess profound knowledge of equipment and processing capabilities. • Provide technical guidance to development or manufacturing teams. • Provide leadership with troubleshooting and identifies solutions to issues that arise during manufacturing. • Provide technical/process expertise for selection and design of process equipment, e.g. filling machines, and facility design for new or expanding manufacturing sites. • Represent the parenteral PDS&T group in cross-functional teams and develop strong relationships with manufacturing, engineering, quality functions and external partners to enable effective resolution to technical issues and drive continuous process improvement. • Support development projects with focus on process engineering topics from troubleshooting, implementation of small-scale models to the development and application of computational models. • Independently work on scientific topics, evaluate and implement new technologies, drive global initiatives and present results convincingly to diverse audiences. • Principal Research Scientist II: M.Sc. or Diploma (and 14+ years) or PhD degree (and 8+ years) in Parenteral manufacturing, Parenteral process development, Parenteral Process Engineering, Product Quality, Analytical, Material Sciences, or related fields • Expert knowledge and practical experience in Fill&Finish technology, e.g. profound knowledge in machine technology, machine setup, mixing systems, process development. • Profound knowledge of quality and regulatory requirements for processing and filling equipment for parenteral pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products. • Practical experience and strong knowledge of Parenteral Fill finish processes is preferred and solid understanding of pharmaceutical development in a cGMP environment. • Strong leadership skills, demonstrated through the successful establishment and management of cross-functional teams in a manufacturing setting. Additionally, demonstrate excellence in fostering a collaborative work environment, driving team performance, and supporting professional development to achieve strategic objectives • The candidate must be able to work independently, respond to changing priorities and short lead times for multiple tasks; able to identify problems and work toward solutions; able to influence without direct authority in multi-disciplinary teams; must be attentive to details and have excellent organization skills • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally and effectively with peers, management, and leadership both within and outside AbbVie. • Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to create sound technical documents Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. ​ Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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