Associate Scientist I/II, Discovery Neuroscience

Allergan; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentive program

Benefits package

Job summary

AbbVie in Cambridge, MA seeks a cell biologist to advance early discovery in Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. You will conduct in vitro data generation, develop neuronal models, evaluate therapeutics, and collaborate with discovery biology and translational teams to drive data-driven program decisions.

The role emphasizes rigorous data generation, adherence to safety and compliance standards, and strong collaboration in a fast-paced environment within AbbVie’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Neuroscience or related field.
• Associate Scientist II requires 3+ years in biology/neuroscience or MS.
• Experience with high-content imaging, immunofluorescence, ELISA, qPCR.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret cellular experiments for discovery neuroscience programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to support program objectives.
• Maintain and culture primary neurons, iPSC-derived neurons and glia.
• Support compound testing, genetic knockdown/KO and overexpression studies.
• Contribute to assay optimization and new in vitro methods.
• Generate, organize, and analyze data with high accuracy and reproducibility.
• Maintain detailed, compliant study records and ensure data integrity.

Skills

High-content imaging

Immunofluorescence

Cell viability assays

qPCR

iPSC-derived neurons

Neuroscience

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology

Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience

Tools

Imaging systems

ELISA tooling

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, Xand YouTube.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated cell biologist to join our Discovery Neuroscience organization. This scientist will contribute to early discovery research efforts focused on identifying and advancing novel therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s Disease and related neurodegenerative diseases. This laboratory-based role will support in vitro data generation, cell culture-based model development, evaluation of small molecule and biologic therapeutics, and execution of proof-of-concept studies in a collaborative discovery environment. The successful candidate will work closely with scientists across discovery biology and translational functions to generate high-quality data that inform program decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret cellular experiments to support discovery neuroscience programs.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional project teams to support program objectives and data interpretation.
• Maintain and perform routine work with primary neuronal cultures, iPSC-derived neurons and glia, recombinant cell lines, and other neuroscience-relevant in vitro models.
• Support compound testing, genetic knockdown/KO and overexpression studies, assay development, and proof-of-concept studies through careful execution of experimental workflows.
• Contribute to assay optimization, troubleshooting, and implementation of new or modified in vitro methods.
• Generate, organize, and analyze experimental data with a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility.
• Maintain detailed and compliant experimental records, observations, and study documentation.
• Adhere to applicable safety, quality, and data integrity standards.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Associate Scientist I: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline (no additional experience) in an academic, biotech, or pharmaceutical setting.
• Associate Scientist II: Bachelor’s degree with at least 3 years of experiencein Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific disciplineor MS (no additional experience)
• Hands‑on experience with high-content imaging, immunofluorescence, cell viability and reporter assays, ELISA, qPCR, and/or related cellular biology techniques.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to high-quality data generation.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with primary neuronal culture, iPSC-derived neurons and glia, and immortalized neuronal and glial cell lines.
• Exposure to compound screening, assay development, troubleshooting, high-content image analysis, and mechanism of action studies in a discovery setting.
• Experience analyzing and presenting experimental data.
• Knowledge of neuroscience and/or neurodegenerative disease biology.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis or data visualization tools.

Core Competencies

• Scientific rigor and experimental discipline
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Curiosity, initiative, and problem‑solving mindset
• Collaboration and adaptability
• Commitment to data quality, reproducibility, and compliance

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at thetimeofthis posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographiclocation,andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
• This job is eligible toparticipatein our short-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.Theamountandavailabilityof anybonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company'ssoleandabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodifiedat the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable 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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