2027 Automation & Process Analytics Technology Co-Op (June - Dec)

About the role

Envision working with energetic colleagues and inspirational leaders, all while gaining world-class experience in one of the most dynamic organizations in the pharmaceutical industry. This is a reality for AbbVie's Co-Ops. This is a work experience and is not intended to support a thesis.

Product Development Science and Technology (PDS&T): Designs, delivers, and supports biologics manufacturing processes for AbbVie's pipeline and partnered products through clinical development and commercial life cycle. The department advances targeted product quality, CMC acceleration, people development, and efficient workflows, bringing together expertise across Cell Line Development, Cell Culture Process Development, Purification Process Development, Scale-Up Lab, and Analytical Development.

We are seeking an exceptional graduate co-op student to join our Cell Culture Development and Automation team for an innovative, hands-on project at the intersection of optical spectroscopy, cell culture science, laboratory robotics, and data analytics.

In this role, you will help integrate spectroscopy with automated liquid-handling robotics to enable rapid, at-line characterization of cell-culture product quality and metabolites. You will have the opportunity to build novel hardware, develop automated analytical workflows, and apply chemometric and data-science modeling to production-relevant datasets, helping transform how process development teams learn from experiments.

Key responsibilities include

• Supporting integration of spectroscopy systems with an automated liquid-handling platform for high-throughput, at-line spectral acquisition from cell culture samples.
• Designing and 3D printing custom labware and sampling components to support automated sample transfer and spectral measurement.
• Developing and troubleshoot automated liquid-handler methods for sample acquisition, flow-cell delivery, and system wash and cleaning cycles.
• Performing aseptic cell culture techniques, including thawing, passaging, and banking of mammalian (CHO) cell lines, to support experimental studies.
• Collecting, processing, and analyzing Raman spectral and process data; apply chemometric and data-science techniques to build predictive models for metabolites and product quality attributes.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with scientists in cell culture development, automation engineering, and analytical development to refine workflows using experimental results and team feedback.
• Documenting experimental methods, data, and results clearly; contribute to a final presentation and/or manuscript-quality summary suitable for internal or external scientific communication.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in university, pursuing a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemistry or a related field.
• Must be enrolled in university at the time of the Co-Op.
• Expected graduation date between May 2028 - Dec 2028
• Proficient in aseptic techniques, including thawing, passaging, and banking mammalian cell lines in a biosafety cabinet.
• Knowledge of optical spectroscopy techniques, including Raman, fluorescence, and absorbance.
• Knowledge of biology and biochemistry, cell metabolism, and protein characterization as applied to CHO cell culture development.
• Must be able to commit to a 6-month program at AbbVie's site located in Worcester, MA (June - December).

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong critical-thinking skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex laboratory robotics and instrumentation challenges.
• Ability to design and create custom labware using 3D printing.
• Ability to execute, troubleshoot, and interpret complex experimental data to determine thoughtful next steps.
• Working knowledge of programming or scripting languages such as Python, Visual Basic and C/C++.

Benefits and Amenities

• Competitive pay
• Relocation support for eligible students
• Select wellness benefits and paid holiday / sick time

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.

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.