Full-Time

Scientist 3

Abzena

Abzena

201-500 employees

CDMO for complex biologics and ADCs

No salary listed

Bristol, PA, USA

In Person

Master's, PhD

Category
Biology & Biotech (1)
Required Skills
Data Analysis

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Requirements
  • A Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with at least 2 years of industrial experience, or an M.S. in Organic Chemistry with at least 5 years of industrial experience.
  • Strong knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and process development.
  • Experience with reaction optimization, impurity control, and process scale-up.
  • Experience with analytical techniques such as ultra-performance liquid chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to stand for 1–2 hours at a time and sit for 2–3 hours at a time.
  • Ability to frequently lift or move objects up to 30 pounds.
  • Ability to stand and walk during the entire shift.
  • Ability to use arms, hands, and fingers to handle, feel, or reach.
  • Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
  • Visual abilities including near and far sight, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.
  • Ability to work with a powered air-purifying respirator and gown when working with highly potent materials.
Responsibilities
  • Design, execute, and optimize synthetic routes for small molecules, intermediates, and complex drug-linker compounds.
  • Develop scalable, robust, and cost-effective manufacturing processes suitable for pilot-plant and current good manufacturing practice production.
  • Plan and perform laboratory experiments, analyze data, and interpret results to guide process improvements.
  • Troubleshoot challenging synthetic and scale-up issues using sound scientific principles.
  • Collaborate with Analytical Development, Manufacturing, manufacturing science and technology, Quality, Supply Chain, and Project Management teams to ensure successful technology transfer and manufacturing campaigns.
  • Prepare technical reports, batch records, process descriptions, risk assessments, and technology-transfer documentation.
  • Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and ensure documentation complies with company and regulatory standards.
  • Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance on experimental design and process development.
  • Support client meetings by presenting technical data and project updates.
  • Contribute to continuous-improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and sustainability.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or contract development and manufacturing organization environments.
  • Experience supporting current good manufacturing practice manufacturing campaigns and technology transfer.
  • Experience with linker-payload synthesis, peptide-coupling chemistry, or highly potent compounds.

Abzena is a CDMO that provides integrated services for complex biologics and bioconjugates, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). It supports projects from antibody discovery through GMP manufacturing for clinical trials and commercial supply, using its in-house platforms and expertise. It differentiates itself with end-to-end development and manufacturing capabilities, supported by proprietary technologies like ThioBridge and Composite Human Antibody, and global facilities in San Diego, Bristol, and Cambridge. Its goal is to help biologics programs progress efficiently from discovery to market by offering specialized, partnered development and manufacturing services and potential licensing of its technologies.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Babraham, United Kingdom

Founded

2001

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Frost Sullivan named Abzena a 2026 leader, strengthening sales credibility with big pharma.
  • Tasrif and Promatix wins in July 2026 validate Abzena’s platforms and partnership pipeline.
  • Onshoring demand is rising, and Abzena’s U.S.-UK footprint fits supply-chain diversification.

What critics are saying

  • Abzena still depends on volatile biotech funding cycles and client program wins in 2026.
  • Headcount fell from 530 in 2023 to 500 in March 2026, signaling efficiency pressure.
  • A single major CMC failure or FDA inspection gap could crush trust and trigger customer exits.

What makes Abzena unique

  • Abzena won Frost Radar ADC leadership on March 17, 2026 for ThioBridge and integration.
  • Its Bristol, Pennsylvania, and San Diego sites combine discovery, bioconjugation, and GMP manufacturing.
  • Abzena’s CHAb and AbZelectPRO platforms deepen customer lock-in across biologics and bioconjugates.

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Benefits

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

0%
Abzena
Jul 15th, 2026
Outsourced Pharma capability Update - Cell Line Development June 2026.

Outsourced Pharma capability Update - Cell Line Development June 2026. Early cell line decisions define everything that comes after: yield, stability, manufacturability, and timelines. That's why Abzena PLC presented at the Outsourced Pharma Capabilities Update on June 16th, which is focused on Cell Line Development strategies. Abzena's VP & Scientific Leader of Cell Line Development, John E. Gill IV, presented a talk on "Integrated Cell Line Development: Manufacturability to GMP-Ready by Design." John broke down how a truly integrated approach, one built with GMP readiness and manufacturability in mind from day one, changes the trajectory of complex biologic programs. The result: - Accelerated timelines to GMP - Reduced downstream risk - Cell lines engineered to meet GMP standards, not retrofitted to them - A smoother, faster path from discovery to clinical & commercial manufacturing When GMP readiness is designed in from the start, not added later, programs don't stall. They move forward faster.

Abzena
Mar 17th, 2026
Frost radar report: Antibody-Drug Conjugate contract development & manufacturing organizations.

Frost radar report: Antibody-Drug Conjugate contract development & manufacturing organizations. Abzena is recognized as a technology-forward, innovative CDMO in the Frost radar(tm): ADC contract development and manufacturing report, 2025. In this comprehensive analysis of the Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) market, global research analysts Frost & Sullivan, an independent firm, evaluated leading service providers and recognized Abzena as a Leader in both Innovation and Growth. As the author of the report, Unmesh Lal, VP of Healthcare & Life Sciences at Frost & Sullivan, shared, "With deep analytical expertise, flexible licensing models, and a dual US-UK footprint, Abzena combines scientific rigor with commercial agility. Its 'grow-with-the-client' strategy is converting early-stage partnerships into long-term manufacturing relationships, solidifying its position as a premier end-to-end CDMO for complex biologics." * How Abzena's proprietary ThioBridge(R) site-specific conjugation platform improves the design & delivery of ADCs. * How a fully integrated end-to-end development and manufacturing model eliminates tech-transfer risks and reduces timelines & costs. * How assay development for complex ADC & AOC characterization provides the data needed to de-risk clinical programs & build confidence with regulators and investors * How a dual US and UK integrated footprint provides a secure supply chain and deep FDA and EMA regulatory expertise.

Clinical Research News
Sep 16th, 2025
Abzena Enhances AbZelectPRO(TM) Cell Line Offering with New GS Knockout Platforms

Abzena enhances abzelectpro(tm) cell line offering with new GS knockout platforms san diego, CA - september 15, 2025 - abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, announced the expansion of its abzelectpro(tm) cell line development (CLD) platform with the launch of two next-generation glutamine synthetase ("GS") knockout CHO-K1 expression systems, including a double knockout ADCC+ platform for afucosylated proteins.

Bio-IT World
Jul 22nd, 2025
Appointment; Abzena Appoints Geoffrey M. Glass as Chief Executive Officer

San Diego, CA - July 22, 2025 - Abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO + CRO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, today announced that Geoffrey M. Glass has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately.

PR Newswire
May 15th, 2025
Abzena Announces Establishment Of Scientific Advisory Board To Support Innovation Strategy

SAN DIEGO, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abzena, the leading end-to-end integrated CDMO + CRO for complex biologics and bioconjugates, has announced today the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of biopharma industry experts with diversified expertise in Discovery Research & Development (R&D) and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC). The new advisory board will work closely with Abzena's scientific and commercial leadership to provide strategic guidance and expert insights that support Abzena's continued commitment to growth and innovation.Matt Stober, CEO of Abzena, said, "The establishment of the Scientific Advisory Board was a strategic decision to help guide the future of Abzena. We have seen considerable momentum over the past few years in supporting complex and innovative modalities, such as Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), and bispecifics. We aim to continue building upon this by offering the most state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities to support our customers' programs. These experts will be instrumental in assisting us with this mission by evaluating our strategies and providing recommendations that will further enhance our ability to move medicines forward to patients faster."Joe Principe, CCO of Abzena, said, "We are honored to welcome these distinguished individuals to our Scientific Advisory Board. These founding members are recognized leaders in our industry, bringing a wealth of expertise that will help guide us as we continue through this significant phase of our growth