2026 Small Molecule Process Chemistry Intern

Job Description

Envision spending your summer 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 Interns.  

This internship opportunity is within Small Molecule Process Chemistry (SM PC) in collaboration with the Center of Catalysis (CoC). SM PC is an R&D group focused on excellence in manufacturing in the pre-clinical and clinical space. Under supervision of a Senior Scientist and an engineer, the individual will design and validate a high throughput experimentation (HTE) screening platform for Lewis Acid (LA) mediated coupling reactions.  

Key responsibilities include: 

• Identify suitable technologies and optimize plate preparation for LA HTE 
• Leverage literature and LA library to design and prepare LA HTE screening plates 
• Validate plate preparation using pipeline relevant coupling reactions paired with advanced analytical techniques 
• Utilize HTE data to identify generalizable LA mediated coupling conditions for pipeline application and external publication 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications  

• Currently enrolled in university, pursuing a PhD in organic synthesis (methods, total synthesis or other related fields) 
• Must be enrolled in university for at least one semester following the internship  
• Exposure to catalysis and/or transition metal cross-coupling 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Expected graduation date between December 2026 – July 2027 
• Exposure to high throughput experimentation 
• Ability to conduct and interpret scientific experiments, providing suggestions for additional experiments, including design and development of new assays 
• Ability to navigate organic chemistry literature to enable hypothesis driven experimental design 
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including analysis 
• Self-motivated; ability to execute with limited supervision and direction 
• Can work independently, with mentorship or as part of a team 
• Ability to independently troubleshoot experiments, operate laboratory reactors, and identify and solve elementary problems in experimental designs