Senior Scientist I, Immuno-Pharmacology
Job Description
Company Description
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 – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Job Description
We are seeking a Senior Scientist I with a strong background in immunology and/or peptide biology to join AbbVie’s Immunology Discovery organization within the Immuno-Pharmacology and Peptide Discovery department. This lab-based role supports both IND-enabling and early-stage discovery programs, as well as peptide platform research and innovation. It involves hands-on experimentation in autoimmune disease models and translational in vitro assays, including the development of novel assays to evaluate peptide therapeutics. You will develop and implement novel experimental approaches to address key scientific questions in peptide immunology. Investigate, identify, and optimize new methods, assays, and techniques relevant to peptide therapeutic discovery and immunological mechanism of action. Offer scientific insights to projects, particularly in areas such as inflammatory pathways, immune cell trafficking, immune receptor modulation, receptor targeting, target density in tissues, and receptor occupancy. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (e.g., in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, and platform groups) to drive technical problem-solving and ensure cohesive integration of efforts across projects.
Responsibilities:
- Innovative Research & Method Development: Consistently demonstrate scientific initiative and creativity by exploring novel experimental approaches and developing new immunological methods to address complex research questions.
- Autonomous Experimental Design & Troubleshooting: Operate with a high degree of autonomy in the lab, independently designing experiments and troubleshooting technical challenges with minimal supervision, while maintaining rigorous scientific standards supporting peptide therapeutic programs and platform.
- Immunological Assays & Complex Cellular Systems: Design and execute a broad range of immunological assays (e.g., ELISPOT, cytokine profiling, cellular potency assays, whole blood assays) and utilize complex cellular systems to characterize immune responses to peptide therapeutics.
- PK/PD Relationship: Apply advanced analytical techniques, including multi-color flow cytometry for detailed cell phenotype analysis and molecular assays (digital PCR, qPCR, RNA extraction and sequencing) to quantify biomarkers and gene expression changes to build a PK/PD relationship.
- In Vivo Pharmacology Expertise: Lead in vivo studies using rodent models (mice/rats), including compound dosing, tissue harvesting, and implementing efficacy models, as well as processing tissues into single-cell suspensions or RNA for ex vivo analysis.
- Data Analysis & Follow-Up Experiments: Analyze and interpret experimental data to draw meaningful conclusions, and proactively design follow-on experiments to test new hypotheses and drive the next steps of the project.
- Multidisciplinary Data Integration: Integrate data from multiple disciplines (in vitro assays, in vivo models, molecular and omics readouts) to guide study progression and refine program strategies, ensuring a holistic understanding of peptide immunology outcomes.
- Scientific Communication: Prepare clear and detailed technical reports and documentation of results, and effectively communicate findings through presentations and peer-reviewed publications, upholding AbbVie’s standards of scientific excellence.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Actively participate in cross-functional team discussions and collaborative troubleshooting sessions with in vivo pharmacology, DMPK, and other internal teams, fostering a cooperative environment to overcome challenges and advance program goals.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Immunology or a related biological science, with typically 10+ years (BS), 8+ years (MS), or 0 years (PhD) of relevant experience.
- Scientific Knowledge: Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of immunology and related biological sciences such as autoimmune disease or oral delivery.
- Technical Expertise (Immunological Assays): Hands-on experience with multi-color flow cytometry, ELISPOT, cellular potency assays, human whole blood assays and other cytokine-based cellular assays.
- Technical Expertise (Molecular Biology): Proficiency in digital PCR (ddPCR) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), as well as RNA isolation and sequencing techniques.
- In Vivo Skills: Experience with in vivo rodent (mice and/or rats) models, including hands-on involvement in dosing, tissue collection, and tissue processing.
- Experimental Skills: Proven ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments independently.
- Organization & Documentation: Excellent organizational skills and meticulous documentation practices to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
- Communication: Excellent scientific communication skills (written and oral) for effective report writing, data presentation, and team discussions.
- Team Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills with the ability to contribute effectively in cross-functional team environments.
- Adaptability & Learning: Demonstrated adaptability and curiosity, with a willingness to learn and apply new techniques and methodologies.
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 role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. Salary: $94,000 - $178,500
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 is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable 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 absolute discretion, 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.
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Company Information
Location: North Chicago, IL
Type: Hybrid