Roles › Principal Research Scientist Process Chemistry
North Chicago, IL
Principal Research Scientist Process Chemistry jobs in North Chicago, IL
3 open roles from 1 employer. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
What these openings look like
All 3 are at AbbVie. None of these postings publish a pay range. Every posting is full time. The most recent went up on Sep 25, 2026.
Every listing links to the employer's own application. Nothing is posted here on their behalf, and nothing is reposted from anywhere else.
Open roles
What they ask principal research scientist process chemistry candidates here
Drawn from the 3 open postings on this page. The ones that come up across several employers are near the top.
Walk me through a biocatalytic step you developed. Why was an enzyme the right answer?
What they are checking: Whether the biocatalysis expertise the posting asks for is genuine and applied.
How do you approach a synthetic route that works at the bench but not at scale?
What they are checking: The central problem of process chemistry, which is different from discovery chemistry.
Tell me about a route you designed that was rejected. What was the objection?
What they are checking: Whether they can hear a process or cost objection without defending the chemistry.
How do you decide when a process is good enough to hand to manufacturing?
What they are checking: Judgment about when optimization stops, which is a real decision with a deadline.
What experience do you have across small molecules, peptides and antibody-drug conjugates?
What they are checking: The posting lists several modalities. This finds where the real depth is.
How do you work with analytical and engineering colleagues on a route?
What they are checking: Whether they collaborate, since a process is never chemistry alone.
Tell me about a safety or impurity issue you found late.
What they are checking: Whether they raise expensive problems, which is what a principal scientist is for.
How do you set strategy for solving a complex synthetic problem rather than just trying things?
What they are checking: The posting asks for strategy. This checks they work systematically.
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