Principal Research Scientist I, Biomaterials & Drug Delivery

AbbVie - Irvine, CA

Full-time - Senior

Irvine, CA

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The Principal Research Scientist I position at Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, is a pivotal role responsible for leading and executing research and development activities aimed at creating innovative biomaterials and drug delivery technologies for the next generation of medical aesthetic products. This role requires a deep understanding of polymer chemistry, including the synthesis, modification, fabrication, and characterization of both natural and synthetic polymers. The successful candidate will also engage in formulation-based protein delivery, developing and characterizing prototypes such as solutions, gels, or particles to meet specific product profiles. The ideal candidate will possess a robust background in polymer chemistry and experience with various protein delivery technologies, demonstrating the ability to deliver innovative solutions in a fast-paced environment. Familiarity with early pharmaceutical development and CMC practices for protein products, as well as the characterization of interactions between protein molecules and excipients or biopolymers, is highly desirable. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential for effective cross-functional collaboration and people management. In this role, the Principal Research Scientist I will lead a technical team to advance technology platforms or products, representing Biomaterials & Drug Delivery in research and development programs. The position involves steering the assessment of future delivery technologies based on pipeline needs, identifying both internal and external technology opportunities, and championing critical scientific assessments. The scientist will also serve as a technical advisor and subject matter expert, contributing to the company's patent portfolio through continuous innovation. The role encompasses scientific execution, where the scientist will develop detailed project plans, execute experimental studies for the synthesis and characterization of novel biomaterials, and design analytical tools to characterize formulations. The scientist will align with cross-functional teams to advance drug products through discovery and early development stages, organizing and leading project team meetings to define and schedule activities. Additionally, the scientist will communicate project status to various stakeholders, drive alignment with cross-functional teams, and generate ROI's while working closely with corporate patent counsel to generate IP documentation. External scientific interaction is also a key component of this role, as the scientist will evaluate the current technology landscape, attend scientific meetings, and recommend new biomaterial and technology ideas to enhance the company's market position. Finally, talent management is an important aspect, where the scientist will manage, train, and mentor junior staff, participate in hiring processes, and oversee the performance of direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Leads a technical team to advance a technology platform or a product.
• Represents Biomaterials & Drug Delivery to provide technical leadership for research and development programs.
• Represents Abbvie and provides leadership on external collaborations.
• Steers the assessment of future delivery technologies according to pipeline needs; identifies internal as well as external technology opportunities and champions critical scientific assessment.
• Serves as a technical advisor and subject matter expert to the company's business.
• Actively contributes to the company's patent portfolio through continuous innovation.
• Develops detailed project plans including scientific approaches and realistic deliverables with budgets and timelines.
• Executes experimental studies for the synthesis, formulation, prototyping, and characterization of novel biomaterials.
• Executes studies to develop a formulation or drug delivery technology.
• Designs and develops analytical tools to characterize the formulation including drug interaction with excipients.
• Aligns cross-functionally and executes study plans to advance a drug product through Discovery and early Development stages.
• Organizes, leads, and/or participates in project team meetings to define and schedule project activities and review completed tasks.
• Writes, reviews and issues technical reports, technical memoranda, and other documents for internal and external distribution.
• Communicates project status to project team leaders, functional managers, and R D committees as appropriate.
• Drives alignment with cross-functional teams and management for activities and deliverables.
• Generates ROI's and works closely with corporate patent counsel in generating IP documentation.
• Searches, reviews, and evaluates current technology landscape to maintain and extend internal technical competence.
• Attends and participates in scientific meetings as company's representative to gain knowledge about new products or technologies pertinent to corporate business interest.
• Communicates and recommends new biomaterial, product, and technology related ideas to supervisor and other research managers to maintain and enhance company's position in the marketplace.
• Manages/trains/mentors junior staff as direct reports or as part of a project team in a matrix-based organization.
• Participates in identifying, interviewing, and hiring new talents.
• Manages day to day performance of direct reports, as needed.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.S.-level education in Biomaterials Science, Polymer Chemistry, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Delivery Sciences, or related fields.
• 6+ (Ph.D.), 12+ (M.S.) or 14+ (B.S.) years of applicable experience including industrial experience is required.
• Work experience involving biomaterials for drug delivery systems and medical devices is preferred.
• Ability to lead scientific innovations and translate them into new product concepts and opportunities.
• Ability to create scientific ideas and define research approaches to drive project deliverables within timelines.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers or technical peers.
• Ability to present facts and recommendations effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to interface with multiple levels of employees at various disciplines within various departments.
• Ability to work/manage cross-functional teams.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior staff or serve as a senior technical advisor.
• Possess high degree of technical competence and expertise in Biomaterials Science (e.g., polymer synthesis, cross-linked/modified polymers, hydrogels, biodegradable polymers or vehicles, biomaterial-tissue interfaces, polymer fabrication processes, drug delivery systems, and tissue scaffolding/engineering).
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills and excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Working knowledge of general laboratory techniques and procedures including EHS practice.
• Ability to accurately perform detail-oriented work.
• Ability to prioritize and manage concurrent projects.
• Ability to maintain accuracy, consistency and quality of documentation while adhering to company deadlines.
• Ability to learn and function in a controlled environment regulated by FDA GMPs and handle confidential data, as needed.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical journals and procedures and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, documentation and procedures.
• Ability to interact and negotiate successfully with suppliers and vendors.
• Ability to take initiative and make decisions within own work content.
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.
• Ability to learn various software programs.

Benefits

• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick)
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• 401(k) to eligible employees
• Participation in short-term incentive programs
• Participation in long-term incentive programs