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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 2, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Principal Scientist I, Chemistry

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Manufacturing

Posted Aug 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 1, 2026

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

You'd set project strategies, responsibilities and timelines and lead in a matrixed team. How do you lead a project team where nobody reports to you?

What they are checking: Matrixed leadership, named in the posting

You'd work with organic chemists, analytical chemists, engineers and solid-state scientists. Which of those conversations do you find hardest, and how do you handle it?

What they are checking: Honest cross-disciplinary self-assessment

How do you develop a scientist into someone who can lead a process themselves?

What they are checking: Development at the stated seniority

What would you do

A commercial process starts drifting after years of running well. How do you approach that?

What they are checking: Support of an established product, not just development

How do you decide a process is ready to transfer to manufacturing?

What they are checking: The readiness judgment this level owns

A Scientist-level process chemistry role sits in the same group. Where do you place yourself, and what would you want to know about the portfolio before you took it?

What they are checking: Self-placement across the level pair plus diligence

About the work

This role leads late-stage development and commercialization work in process chemistry. Walk me through a process you took through to commercial manufacture.

What they are checking: The full arc at the stated level

You'd lead process characterization. What does characterizing a process actually establish, and how much is enough?

What they are checking: The named activity, with judgment about sufficiency

You'd author and review key technical and regulatory documents. What does a regulator want to see about a chemical process?

What they are checking: Regulatory writing at the level that convinces

How do you handle a scale-up that behaves differently from everything the lab predicted?

What they are checking: Troubleshooting at scale

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

AbbVie Product Development Science & Technology (PDS&T) is seeking a Principal Research Scientist I to conduct late-stage development and commercialization of small molecule therapies, from registration through commercialization and the product lifecycle. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a proven track record of accomplishment in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing development, to work in a cross-functional team environment at our North Chicago, IL location. Key Responsibilities: • The candidate will contribute to and/or lead cross-functional project teams associated with manufacturing process development, process characterization/justification, transfer of technology to manufacturing sites, and support manufacturing activities for AbbVie’s small molecule pipeline. • Design and execute laboratory experiments to support program development and commercial manufacture. • Set project strategies, define project responsibilities and timelines • Provide leadership in a matrixed team setting, while acting as an SME for manufacturing processes, interacting with various cross-functional groups and stakeholders and contributing to AbbVie’s manufacturing strategies. • Author and review key technical and regulatory documents. • The position involves multi-disciplinary interactions with organic chemists, analytical chemists, engineers, and solid-state scientists. • The position also entails interfacing with many groups external to PDS&T, for example: Manufacturing Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, etc. Responsibilities: • Effectively function as a principal investigator, generating original technical ideas and demonstrating creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve difficult problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals. Make significant contributions to project team through lab-based activities. Independently responsible for project science within their area of expertise on one or more project teams. • Author and/or review technical reports, manufacturing batch records and regulatory documents concerning Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) subjects. Primary author of publications, presentations, and/or primary inventor of patents. • Potential to mentor/supervise a team of one or more individuals, evaluate the performance of those individuals and be accountable for the effective performance of those individuals. • Generate new scientific proposals and lead those efforts. Anticipate and critically evaluate scientific or regulatory advances or competitive threats and respond with appropriate new strategies. • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 14+ years of experience; master’s degree or equivalent education and typically 12+ years of experience; PhD and typically 6+ years of experience in organic chemistry with a focus on manufacturing process development and scale up. Candidates with less experience may be considered for other opportunities. • A broad range of functional expertise in modern organic chemistry, mechanistic understanding, compound purification, control strategy development and standard analytical methodology (e.g., HPLC, UPLC, LC-MS, NMR). • Demonstrated scientific communication and presentation skills. Experience and demonstrated success as an author of publications, presentations, and/or primary inventor of patents. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for facilitating collaborations and a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional process development teams. Key Leadership Competencies: • Builds strong relationships with peers and cross functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance. • Learns fast, understands key objectives, and can change course quickly as needed. • Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo. • Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement. • Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation, and manages the transition from innovation to implementation. • Understands, adheres to and models corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, appropriate handling of materials, controlled drug compounds, and GxP compliance. 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