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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 26, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Senior Scientist I, Drug Product Development

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 25, 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

How do you keep up with advances in biologics formulation?

What they are checking: The posting names keeping abreast of the latest advances in formulation and process technologies.

Tell me about a scientific initiative you started rather than were assigned.

What they are checking: The posting names initiating scientific initiatives to drive innovation.

This role is based in North Chicago. How does that fit your life?

What they are checking: The posting states the location.

What would you do

Something behaves differently at the receiving site. How do you work out why?

What they are checking: The recurring problem in technology transfer.

How do you work with an external manufacturing partner?

What they are checking: The posting names transfer to external manufacturing sites.

About the work

Tell me about your biologics formulation experience.

What they are checking: The posting is in biologics drug product development within R and D.

Walk me through designing a formulation development study.

What they are checking: The posting names leading design and execution of formulation and process development.

How do you run a robustness study, and what do you learn from it?

What they are checking: The posting names characterization and robustness studies.

Tell me about a scale-up or technology transfer you supported.

What they are checking: The posting names supporting scale-up and technology transfer to internal and external sites.

How do you decide a formulation is stable enough to take forward?

What they are checking: Stability decides whether a biologic can be a product at all.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at AbbVie from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Biologics Drug Product Development (Bio DPD), a part of Development Sciences within AbbVie’s R&D, is a global organization that is responsible for drug product formulation and process development, and definition of the product presentation for biologics and genetic medicine (proteins, conjugates, peptides etc.). AbbVie is seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position of Senior Scientist I, Biologics Drug Product Development, located in North Chicago, IL. We are seeking an accomplished scientist with a proven track record in biologics formulation and process development, and characterization. This position will be an integral part of the product development and CMC teams and will have strong collaborations with several stakeholders, including discovery research, analytical research and development, bioprocess development, combination products development, science and technology, pilot plants and third-party manufacturers. Responsibilities • Lead the design and execution of biologics drug product formulation and process development, characterization and robustness studies. • Support scale-up and technology transfer activities to internal and external manufacturing sites. • Keep abreast of the latest advances in biologics formulation and process technologies. • Initiate and/or support scientific initiatives to drive innovation, continuously enhance capabilities and improve business processes. • May represent the Bio DPD function in the cross-functional Product Presentation and Device Strategy Team (PPDST) and the CMC team. • Effectively and timely communicates study plans, risks and mitigation plans to stakeholder and line management. • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 10 years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 8 years of experience, PhD 0+ years of industry experience. • Proven ability to solve critical scientific problems. • Hands-on experience with biologics formulation development. • Hands-on experience with analytical and biophysical characterization of proteins and solid-state characterization methods. • Solid understanding of biologics degradation mechanisms and stabilization strategies. • Hands-on experience with Design of Experiments (DoE), multivariate statistical analyses and data visualization tools. Highly Preferred Qualifications: • Understanding of relevant cGMP and regulatory guidance. • Experience with sterile manufacturing unit operations (freeze-thaw, mixing, filtration, filling, and lyophilization) development, characterization, scale-up and technology transfer. • Experience in managing third party manufacturers. • Experience with quality risk management and drug product control strategies. ​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