1

Protein Expression Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Sales Manager (Sweet Protein) Location: United States - Remote The estimated salary range is $100 ... or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status ...

AP Biology Tutor

Oak Lawn, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain natural selection mechanisms, gene expression regulation, cellular respiration ... Skilled at breaking down complex biological processes including DNA replication, protein synthesis ...

AP Biology Tutor

Buffalo Grove, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain natural selection mechanisms, gene expression regulation, cellular respiration ... Skilled at breaking down complex biological processes including DNA replication, protein synthesis ...

AP Biology Tutor

Des Plaines, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain natural selection mechanisms, gene expression regulation, cellular respiration ... Skilled at breaking down complex biological processes including DNA replication, protein synthesis ...

AP Biology Tutor

Skokie, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain natural selection mechanisms, gene expression regulation, cellular respiration ... Skilled at breaking down complex biological processes including DNA replication, protein synthesis ...

AP Biology Tutor

Naperville, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain natural selection mechanisms, gene expression regulation, cellular respiration ... Skilled at breaking down complex biological processes including DNA replication, protein synthesis ...

AP Biology Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Ability to explain natural selection mechanisms, gene expression regulation, cellular respiration ... Skilled at breaking down complex biological processes including DNA replication, protein synthesis ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Protein Expression information

What is protein expression?

Protein expression refers to the process by which proteins are synthesized, modified, and regulated in living organisms. In biotechnology and research, protein expression often means the artificial production of specific proteins in host cells, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells, using recombinant DNA technology. This process is crucial for studying protein function, developing pharmaceuticals, and producing enzymes or other protein-based products. The choice of expression system depends on factors like the protein's complexity and the need for post-translational modifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protein expression scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protein Expression Scientist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell culture, often supported by a relevant degree (such as in biology, biochemistry, or biotechnology). Familiarity with expression systems (E. coli, yeast, insect, or mammalian cells), chromatography, and analytical tools like SDS-PAGE and Western blot is essential, and experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or certifications in laboratory safety can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are valuable soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure accurate protein production, efficient troubleshooting, and clear collaboration, which are crucial for successful research and development in biotechnology and pharmaceutical settings.

What are some common challenges faced in a protein expression role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Protein Expression often encounter challenges such as optimizing expression levels, ensuring protein solubility, and maintaining protein functionality. Troubleshooting requires a strong understanding of expression systems (bacterial, yeast, insect, or mammalian), vector design, and purification methods. Collaboration with molecular biologists and biochemists is essential to troubleshoot issues and adapt protocols, while ongoing learning about new expression technologies can help address complex problems and enhance productivity.

What is the difference between Protein Expression vs Protein Purification?

AspectProtein ExpressionProtein Purification
Primary FocusProducing proteins within cells or systemsIsolating and cleaning proteins from mixtures
Work EnvironmentLaboratories involving genetic engineering and cell cultureLaboratories focused on protein isolation and analysis
Required SkillsMolecular biology, cloning, cell cultureChromatography, protein analysis, assay techniques
Industry UsageBiotech, pharmaceuticals, researchBiotech, pharmaceuticals, research

Protein Expression involves creating proteins within cells using genetic techniques, while Protein Purification focuses on isolating and refining those proteins for study or application. Both roles are essential in biotech and research settings, often overlapping but distinct in their primary objectives.

Infographic showing various Protein Expression job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Scientist I, Multi-Specifics Expression

AbbVie

North Chicago, IL

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago


AbbVie rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 102 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 86 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

Overview: 

AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine is an integrated, global discovery organization responsible for biotherapeutics drug research across disease areas including immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.  Our scope includes the discovery of innovative biologic medicines from the early exploratory stage and their support through clinical development.  We are growing a world-class team of scientists and leaders who will drive the discovery and advancement of innovative biologic-based therapies.  Careers in AbbVie Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine provide unique opportunities to work with cross-functional teams that drive exceptional science and deliver innovative medicines to patients.  We are looking for diverse candidates with strong scientific and leadership experience to join the team and can offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities for these candidates.

The Biotherapeutics Production group at AbbVie is seeking an experienced protein expression scientist to join a fast paced, high throughput, large scale mammalian expression group. This role will focus on CHO cell line engineering biologics, protein expression, and characterization of complex biotherapeutics, including multi-specific, while incorporating modern capabilities in automation and data digitization to enable efficient and scalable workflows. The Biotherapeutics mammalian expression group supports research scale (1 to 200L) expression of biologics in support of AbbVie’s worldwide drug discovery efforts.  

Key Responsibilities:

  • Expression of novel multi-specific biologics formats to support therapeutic area drug discovery projects.
  • Generation and screening of stable CHO cell lines with optimized attributes (i.e. titer, monomer, chain-pairing) using 2 or more vectors.
  • Determine optimal chain ratio for 3- and 4-chain molecules in CHO cells using multiple selection strategies and process optimization.
  • Process development and optimization for batch and fed-batch bioreactor and shake flask expressions of stable CHO cell lines expressing complex multi-chain molecules.
  • Characterization of stable CHO line copy number and mRNA transcript levels using ddPCR and related molecular tools.
  • Apply targeted integration technologies using screening workflows, including FACS-based single-cell sorting to generate mini pools.
  • Implement and leverage automation platforms and high-throughput workflows to increase efficiency.
  • Contribute to data digitization efforts, including electronic data capture, analysis, and reporting.
  • Troubleshoot challenges related to expression, stability, glycosylation, aggregation, and chain pairing.
  • Purification and biophysical characterization of analytical scale expression samples, using analytical HPLC to evaluate titer, monomer, and chain pairing efficiency.
  • Work independently on the design, execution, and interpretation of experimental results.
  • Analyze, document, and report data concisely and rigorously.
  • Handling stable CHO pools and cell lines including thaw, culture, expression and cryopreservation.
Qualifications

Qualifications:  

*Position will be hired based on level of experience and education

  • Bachelors or Master’s in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field with typically 5+ (BS) or 2+ (MS) years of experience.
  • Hands-on experience with cell culture and expression of monoclonal antibodies, bi-specifics and multi-specifics in CHO cells lines including thaw, culture, expression and cryopreservation.
  • Prior experience in generation of stable CHO cell lines expressing complex multi-specific molecules.
  • Prior experience in process development, process optimization, and automation.
  • Experience with analytical characterization of multi-specifics desirable.
  • Experience with targeted integration, FACS, and ddPCR desirable.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in vector design is desirable.
  • Prior experience in mammalian expression using Wave bioreactors desirable. 
  • Demonstrated proficiency in overcoming problems (i.e. poor chain pairing, low expression, aggregation, glycosylation) with challenging therapeutic multi-specific proteins desirable.

Additional Information

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 roleat  the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on manyfactors  including  geographic location, and we may ultimately  pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be  modified in the future. ​

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

  • This job is eligible to  participate in our short-term incentive programs.  ​

Note: No amount of pay is  considered to be wages or compensation until such amount isearned,  vested,  and determinable. The amount and availability of  any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that areallocable 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 absolutediscretion,  consistent with applicable law. ​

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html


What AbbVie employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


AbbVie logo

About AbbVie

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

North Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

2013