Principal Research Scientist I, tLNP Process Development

Overview

Targeted lipid nanoparticles (tLNPs) represent a key new modality to enable the effective delivery of mRNA. The tLNP chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) team (TCT) is a newly formed group under Biologics CMC, Development Sciences, R&D. The tLNP CMC team focuses on process development for tLNPs, including mRNA process development, tLNP process development, and formulation development.  

The targeted lipid nanoparticle (tLNP) process development team is seeking a highly motivated, talented, and innovative scientist. This position will play a key role in advancing tLNP programs by serving as a technical expert in targeting moiety conjugation technologies, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), Fabs, and related ligand formats. The successful candidate will partner with mRNA and LNP process development team members to design and implement robust strategies for commercial process development and process characterization. In addition, this individual will work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure right-first-time technology transfer of mRNA, LNP, and conjugation processes into AbbVie GMP manufacturing facilities. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Serve as a technical expert in conjugation technologies for linking targeting moieties such as mAbs, Fabs, and other ligands to lipid nanoparticles. 
• Independently design, execute, and interpret critical laboratory experiments to build deep technical understanding of LNP conjugation, with emphasis on reaction kinetics, process optimization, and scalability to commercial manufacturing batch size. 
• Operate with autonomy in laboratory research and method development and proactively initiate scientifically meaningful new areas of investigation that can be incorporated into development programs. 
• Lead or contribute to the development of robust process strategies supporting commercial readiness for targeted LNP programs. 
• Partner with mRNA and LNP process development colleagues, as well as PDS&T, to drive process characterization and improve process understanding. 
• Provide technical leadership for development, execution, and interpretation of experiments aimed at optimizing process robustness, scalability, and manufacturability. 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with key internal and external partners to enable right-first-time tech transfer into AbbVie GMP facilities. 
• Identify technical risks and support mitigation strategies for targeted LNP, mRNA, and conjugation processes. 
• Contribute to CMC planning, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication for program advancement. 
• Stay current on emerging technologies, platforms, and best practices relevant to targeted LNP delivery and conjugation science. 

• BS or equivalent education and extensive, typically 14+ years of experience; MS or equivalent education with typically 12+ years of experience; PhD with typically 6+ years of industry experience in area or scientific area of discipline. 
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a cross-functional, matrixed environment. 
• Strong scientific judgment, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Experience supporting GMP manufacturing, process characterization, scale-up, or technology transfer is preferred. 
• Strong background in biologics, nanoparticle systems, conjugation chemistry, process development, or related CMC disciplines. 
• Previous direct report management responsibilities are preferred. 

Preferred Experience 

• Hands-on experience with conjugation strategies for biologics or targeting ligands. 
• Familiarity with LNP formulation, mRNA modalities, or advanced drug delivery systems. 
• Experience contributing to commercial process development and/or process characterization. 
• Hands-on experience with tangential flow filtration development in the lab and scale-up. 
• Knowledge of GMP requirements and manufacturing tech transfer expectations. 

Success Factors 

• Establishes deep technical credibility in targeted LNP conjugation and process development. 
• Provides strong scientific and technical leadership across programs and stakeholders. 
• Drives practical, scalable solutions that support manufacturability and commercialization. 
• Builds effective partnerships to enable seamless technology transfer into AbbVie GMP facilities.