Sr Scientist, AMD - 1 year Contract in San Diego, California at Abzena Inc.

This is a 1-year contract position intended to provide continuity during our Empower implementation and training phase. As such, the role is intentionally execution-focused, with an emphasis on rapid onboarding, independent method execution, and advanced troubleshooting across Maurice and HPLC platforms.

The Senior Scientist, Analytical Method Development (AMD), provides temporary backfill support to ensure continuity of analytical development activities during a critical system implementation phase. This role requires a highly experienced, hands-on senior scientist capable of rapid onboarding and immediate contribution.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise with Maurice Flex (icIEF, CESDS) and Agilent HPLC systems (SEC, CEX, RP, HIC) for the analysis of biologics (mAbs, Fab, and related modalities), with demonstrated ability to independently execute methods and resolve complex technical issues.

This position works cross-functionally with Process Development (PD), AMD leadership, Quality Control (QC), and Project Management (PM) teams to support ongoing client programs and internal deliverables.

• Rapidly integrate into ongoing programs and demonstrate the ability to generate high-quality, decision-ready data within a short onboarding period.
• Independently execute analytical methods using Maurice Flex with Compass software, including icIEF and CE-SDS (reduced and non-reduced).
• Perform HPLC analyses using Agilent systems with OpenLab CDS, including SEC, CEX, Protein A titer, RP, and HIC.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across platforms, including resolving complex, non-routine issues in icIEF, CESDS, and HPLC with minimal guidance such as icIEF focusing issues, CE-SDS resolution/migration inconsistencies, and HPLC pressure, retention time, and peak shape abnormalities.
• Diagnose system suitability failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure proper instrument setup, maintenance, and performance monitoring.
• Maintain project timelines by delivering high-quality, reliable data.
• Collaborate with AMD leads to provide analytical data for related client activities.
• Generate, review, and interpret analytical data in compliance with cGxP standards.
• Author, review, and revise technical documents including methods, protocols, and reports.
• Expected to operate with minimal oversight and serve as a subject matter resource for troubleshooting complex analytical issues.

• Ph.D. with 5–10 years, M.S. with 7–12 years, or B.S. with 10–14 years of relevant industry experience in analytical development for biologics (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Extensive hands-on experience with Maurice Flex (Compass) for icIEF and CE SDS (required).
• Extensive hands-on experience with Agilent HPLC systems using OpenLab CDS (required).
• Demonstrated expertise in troubleshooting electrophoretic and chromatographic systems (required).
• Proven ability to independently diagnose technical issues and implement corrective actions with minimal supervision.
• Strong experience in analytical method development, optimization, pre-qualification, and validation for biologics.
• Experience authoring and reviewing technical documentation in a cGxP environment.
• Experience working in data system transitions (e.g., CDS or LIMS implementations) is a plus.

Abzena is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.