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Scientist II/ Sr Scientist I , Analytical R&D

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Aug 24, 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 result you did not believe. What did you do before you reported it?

What they are checking: Scientific rigor on an inconvenient data point.

Describe how you present analytical data so a project team who are not analytical chemists can make a decision from it.

What they are checking: Data communication across functions, which the posting asks for directly.

Tell me about a follow-on experiment you designed after a surprising result. What did it settle?

What they are checking: Experimental reasoning beyond the first answer.

This is posted as Scientist II or Senior Scientist I in North Chicago, with the Scientist II described as working independently with some guidance. Which level do you see yourself at, and what do you want to know about the split between small molecule drug product and active ingredient work?

What they are checking: Self-placement across the two posted levels and the actual project mix.

What would you do

A method that validated cleanly starts failing in a different laboratory. How do you chase that down?

What they are checking: Transfer troubleshooting, which is where analytical methods most often break.

A project team wants a result faster than your method can reliably give it. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Holding a quality line against schedule pressure.

About the work

Walk me through developing a method for complex impurity profiling. Where do you start, and how do you know the method is good enough?

What they are checking: Method development judgment in the exact work this posting describes.

You have hands-on experience across liquid chromatography, ultra-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. How do you decide which separation mode a problem calls for?

What they are checking: Technique selection rather than defaulting to the familiar instrument.

How does working under good manufacturing practice change how you run and document a method compared with research work?

What they are checking: Understanding of the regulated environment this group supports.

Walk me through what goes into a technical transfer package that the receiving site can actually use.

What they are checking: Transfer documentation quality, which this posting names as a duty.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

AbbVie Analytical Research & Development (Analytical R&D) is a global analytical scientific organization responsible for all CMC analytical activities related to the development of AbbVie's pharmaceutical products.  Our scope includes AbbVie's diverse pipeline of innovative small molecule medicines and spans from the selection of Discovery candidate molecules to Late Stage Clinical.  We are building a world-class team of scientists and leaders who will drive the advancement of industry-leading analytical capabilities and make meaningful contributions to advance AbbVie's pipeline of innovative medicines.  Careers in AbbVie Analytical R&D provide unique opportunities to work with global and cross-functional teams to drive exceptional science and innovative product development strategies.  We are looking for diverse candidates with strong scientific experience to join the AbbVie Analytical R&D team and can offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities for these candidates. Position Description: For the Scientist II position, we are seeking a highly motivated candidate who can independently develop and optimize new methods and techniques to generate reliable and reproducible data in a timely manner, demonstrate broad and versatile technical expertise. Continuously seek to improve existing laboratory methods and processes. They should demonstrate mastery of broad range of experimental techniques and support early phase development of New Chemical Entities (NCEs) drug substance and drug product in both preclinical and clinical programs. Collaborate within the global Analytical R&D organization and with R&D cross-functional partners such as Pre-Clinical Safety (PCS), Process Chemistry, Process Engineering, Drug Product Development (DPD), and Quality Assurance (QA) and CMC-Regulatory. Responsibilities: • Performs method development, testing procedures, and implementation of analytical control strategies to help the advancement of drug discovery candidates with some guidance. • Apply analytical separation and detection modes for complex impurity profiling of pharmaceutical products to further the understanding of emerging cGMP manufacturing processes. • Responsible for contributing to the analytical aspects of a project while working with other functional areas to advance projects through the development pipeline. • Utilize understanding of a range of analytical techniques to conduct research and development studies related to small-molecule drug products, active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, starting materials, impurities, and impurity profiling. • Support new product development with method development and validation, technical transfer packages, and generation of technical data in support regulatory requirements with some guidance. • Autonomous and productive in performing laboratory research or method development, requiring only minimal direction from or interaction with supervisor. • Formulate conclusions and design follow-on experiments based on multidisciplinary data. • Process, interpret, and visualize data to facilitate project team decisions. • Communicate and collaborate with cross-functional groups and departments. • Demonstrate scientific rigor, initiative and creativity in research or development activities and maintain a high level of productivity in the lab. • Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo. • Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding code of conduct, safety, appropriate handling of materials, controlled drug and radioactive compounds, and GxP compliance, where applicable. • Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or equivalent education, with typically 7 or more years’ experience or Master’s Degree or equivalent education, with typically 5 or more years’ experience. • Strong technical background in analytical chemistry, excellent analytical problem-solving skills. Capable of developing and troubleshooting analytical methods with minimal guidance. • Well versed with hands-on experience with chromatography (HPLC, UPLC, GC) and spectroscopic techniques. • Self-motivated, hard-working, detail-oriented individual able to work in a fast-paced team environment. • Software Proficiency - Expert knowledge of Waters Empower CDS and experience with SLIMS (or similar LIMS systems) for electronic data management. • Experience in the use of computerized data handling systems. • High-quality written and oral communication skills and ability to interact effectively with interdisciplinary scientists and engineers. • Practical knowledge of organic structure, functional groups, chemistry, and modern spectroscopic techniques as applied to small-molecule analytical analysis. • Builds strong relationships with peers and cross functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance. • Learns fast, grasps the "essence" and can change course quickly where indicated. • Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement. • Embraces the ideas of others and speaks up with innovative ideas. 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 short-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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