Principal Research Scientist II - AI/ML Partnerships, Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine

AbbVie; Worcester; Hybrid; GBP 112,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical company is seeking an Associate Director of Biotherapeutics & Genetic Medicine to lead AI/ML partnerships. This role involves driving external collaborations, developing an AI/ML strategy, and mentoring team members. The ideal candidate should hold an advanced degree and possess significant experience in biopharma and machine learning. Compensation includes a comprehensive benefits package with flexible work arrangements and potential incentive programs, based in Worcester, MA.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work arrangements

Short-term and long-term incentive participation

Qualifications

• 16+ years with BS, 14+ years with MS, or 8+ years with PhD.
• Proven track record in external partnerships and competitive landscape.
• Experience mentoring and managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive AI/ML strategy in biopharmaceuticals.
• Manage collaborations with external partners.
• Develop competitive intelligence reports on AI/ML innovations.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Machine learning expertise

Executive communication

Problem-solving mindset

Education

BS, MS, or PhD in Computational Chemistry or related discipline

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

The Associate Director of Biotherapeutics & Genetic Medicine (BGM) AI/ML partnerships will be a key leader in driving AbbVie's AI/ML external strategy. This role requires an energetic strategic thinker, attuned to the innovation landscape, with deep, technical AI/ML experience in biopharma, who can leverage their background to represent BGM’s strategic priorities in external engagements.

This position reports to the Head of AI/ML in BGM and will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This role is pivotal in driving our organization towards becoming a leader in the application of AI/ML, ensuring that AI/ML initiatives align with our overarching business objectives, delivering tangible business value and accelerating our promise to patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of AbbVie’s biotherapeutics discovery processes and drug program pipeline and use that as a foundation to co-develop and champion an external AI/ML strategy that is aligned with key areas of impact, over both long- and short-term horizons.
• Stay at the forefront of AI/ML innovation, technologies, and best practices, developing a bimonthly competitive intelligence report, in coordination with other teams that develop competitive intelligence across AbbVie, e.g., AI Strategy & Partnerships, Commercial Digital, R&D, BTS, and Corporate Strategy.
• Collaborate with BGM’s internal AI/ML innovation team to conduct technical due diligence and detailed benchmarking of external partner AI/ML platforms with applicability to AbbVie’s BGM strategy.
• Collaborate across the company (including Technology Licensing & Collaboration, Search & Evaluation, Business Development & Acquisitions, etc.) to ensure collaboration agreements are aligned with the value proposition for BGM.
• Manage and coordinate collaborations with external partners, document key activities and drive projects towards impact.
• Communicate the impact of AI/ML partnerships to AbbVie’s pipeline both internally at governance bodies and, where appropriate, externally, to the AI/ML community through conference presentations.
• Mentor leaders and team members, creating a pipeline of AI/ML champions.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biology, or related discipline with typically 16+ (BS) years, 14+ (MS) years, or 8+ (PhD) years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with senior leaders and build trust‑based partnerships to deliver results and influence change.
• Experience with deep technical diligence on machine learning capabilities.
• Prior experience in external partnerships and competitive landscape at a major pharma company or biotechnology organization.
• Strong problem‑solving mindset and comfort and ability to create structure from ambiguity.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder‑management skills with a proven ability to bridge technical and business perspectives.
• Hiring, people management, and career development experience.

This position is located at one of our offices in Worcester, MA, Cambridge, MA, or San Francisco, CA. We offer flexible work arrangements, allowing you to choose between a fully on‑site schedule or a hybrid model, which includes three days per week in the office.

Additional Information

• 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.

• 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.

• This job is eligible to participate in our long‑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.

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