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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Senior Scientist I, Analytical Development, Mass Spectrometry tLNP CMC

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 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 provide analytical support to formulation, process development and manufacturing. How do you turn an analytical result into something a process engineer can act on?

What they are checking: Translation to the internal customer

You'd advance characterization by developing innovative techniques. Tell me about a method you developed that did not exist before you built it.

What they are checking: Innovation with evidence

What would you do

You'd document in an electronic laboratory notebook in compliance with standard procedures. Why does documentation matter as much as the result here?

What they are checking: Documentation in a regulated development setting

The posting asks for a doctorate in analytical chemistry, biochemistry or pharmaceutical sciences with zero to three years of industry experience, at North Chicago. Where do you sit, and what would you want to know about the instrument suite?

What they are checking: The stated qualifications plus diligence on the laboratory

About the work

This role is the mass spectrometry expert in analytical development for targeted lipid nanoparticle therapeutics. What mass spectrometry work have you done on these molecules?

What they are checking: The specific modality, which is new enough that experience varies widely

The posting names evaluating critical quality attributes of messenger ribonucleic acid, including capping efficiency and polyadenylated tail distribution. Walk me through measuring one of those.

What they are checking: The named attributes, tested concretely

You'd operate, maintain and troubleshoot high-resolution and time-of-flight mass spectrometers and liquid chromatography systems. What fails most often, and how do you tell instrument from sample?

What they are checking: Hands-on instrument reality

The posting lists several data acquisition and analysis packages. Which have you used, and for what kind of analysis?

What they are checking: The named software, checked honestly

You'd author and review regulatory submission documents including investigational new drug applications and comparability studies. What does a regulator want from an analytical section?

What they are checking: Regulatory writing, a named duty

A lipid nanoparticle is a complex mixture. What makes characterizing it harder than a protein?

What they are checking: Whether the modality knowledge is real

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Analytical Development group within the Targeted LNP (tLNP) CMC Development Team at AbbVie is dedicated to advancing state-of-the-art analytical capabilities for tLNP therapeutics development. Our team provides critical support to tLNP drug substance, drug product, and formulation development. We leverage advanced biophysical, separation, and mass spectrometry techniques to deeply characterize antibodies, mRNA, lipids, and intact LNP particles. We are building a strong team of scientists who will be instrumental in developing and deploying the analytical toolbox needed to deliver high-quality, innovative tLNP medicines to patients. Position Description: As the mass spectrometry SME within the Analytical Development group of tLNP CMC Development team, you will work in an innovative analytical research and development lab and develop LC-MS method for characterizing biotherapeutic products to support tLNP development, with an emphasis on mRNA and oligonucleotide analysis. The successful candidate will have hands-on analytical method development experience of LC-MS analysis. Additionally, the candidate must foster productive collaborations within the global Analytical CMC organization and with R&D cross-functional partners such as Discovery, Process Chemistry, Process Engineering, Drug Product Development, and Quality Assurance and CMC-Regulatory Affairs. Responsibilities: • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot mass spectrometry (Orbitrap, TOF) and liquid chromatography platforms, along with general laboratory equipment. • Document instrument performance, organize regular maintenance, and coordinate with service engineers during maintenance and troubleshooting activities. • Lead and execute characterization activities to evaluate and elucidate critical quality attributes of mRNA, such as 5’ capping efficiency, 3’ polyA tail distribution, and oligonucleotide sequence mapping. • Provide analytical support for cross-functional teams, including formulation development, upstream/downstream process development, and manufacturing to solve drug development challenges. • Proactively advance LC-MS characterization of biotherapeutics by developing innovative techniques that address evolving developmental needs and improve operational efficiency. • Independently conduct sample preparation and LC-MS analyses in compliance with SOPs, and document experimental procedures and results in electronic laboratory notebook (ELN). • Author and review regulatory submission documents, such as IND and comparability study. • Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related field with 0-3 years of industry experience. • Previous experience with mRNA, oligonucleotide, antibody, and LNP analysis by LC-MS is a strong plus. • Experience in mRNA 5’ capping and 3’ polyA tail LC-MS analysis is preferred. • Proficient in operating and maintaining mass spectrometry equipment, particularly LC-MS systems, and have experience in troubleshooting and maintaining LC-MS instruments, including tasks like changing and cleaning interfaces. • Experience with LCMS data acquisition and analysis software, such as XCalibur, Protein Metrics, FreeStyle, Skyline, BioPharma Finder, and MassLynx. • Organized, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining proper documentation. • Work independently while also collaborating effectively with a team of experts. • Hands-on experience with additional analytical techniques relevant to mRNA or LNP analysis is a plus. • Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to explain data to technical and non-technical audiences. ​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