About the role#
This summer internship focuses on developing chemical processes for late-stage and commercial small-molecule assets. You will work within Product Development, Science, and Technology (PDS&T) to improve existing commercial processes. The role involves hands-on laboratory work, ranging from microgram to decagram scales, using modern analysis platforms.
What you'll do#
- Design, plan, and scale up chemical reactions.
- Perform high-throughput experimentation and reaction screening.
- Collect and analyze high-throughput data.
- Conduct mechanistic analysis of organic reactions.
- Collaborate with colleagues in PDS&T and Development Sciences.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a PhD program for Synthetic Chemistry or a related field.
- Enrollment in university for at least one semester after the internship ends.
- Expected graduation date between December 2027 and June 2028.
- Experience in discovery and optimization of chemical reactions.
- Proficiency with analytical techniques like NMR and HPLC.
- Experience with air-free chemistry, glovebox handling, transition metal-mediated reactions, and enantioselective catalysis.
- Strong writing, communication, and collaboration skills.
Location & details#
- Location: North Chicago, Illinois.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site, full-time.
- Compensation: Paid internship with relocation support for eligible students.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company based in North Chicago, Illinois. It researches and manufactures medicines across several therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and aesthetics. The organization operates as a public company with over 59,000 employees. It maintains a presence in various international locations such as Canada, South Korea, Japan, and Costa Rica.
How to get in at AbbVie
Applying early at AbbVie gives you a distinct advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can be among the first to apply before the applicant pile grows. Getting your resume in early helps ensure it is seen while the team is still actively building their candidate pool. You can use Intern Insider to identify the recruiters behind these roles, which allows you to reach out directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. Connecting with a human at the company often improves your response rates compared to waiting for a system update. It is a straightforward way to move your application forward in a competitive process.



