Associate Scientist III Discovery Neuroscience

AbbVie; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

AbbVie seeks a highly motivated cell biologist to join Discovery Neuroscience. The role focuses on early discovery research for Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative diseases, supporting in vitro data generation, model development, and proof-of-concept studies.

You will work with scientists across discovery biology and translational functions to produce high-quality data guiding program decisions, including neuronal culture work, high-content imaging, and molecular assays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required for Associate Scientist I; 3+ years experience or MS for Associate Scientist II.
• Hands-on experience with high-content imaging, immunofluorescence, cell viability and reporter assays, ELISA, qPCR, and 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.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and interpret cellular experiments to support discovery neuroscience programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to support program objectives and data interpretation.
• Maintain primary neuronal cultures, iPSC-derived neurons and glia, recombinant cell lines, and other in vitro models.
• Support compound testing, genetic knockdown/KO and overexpression studies, assay development, and proof-of-concept studies.
• Contribute to assay optimization and implementation of new or modified in vitro methods.
• Generate, organize, and analyze experimental data with high accuracy and reproducibility.

Skills

High-content imaging

Immunofluorescence

Cell viability assays

qPCR

ELISA

Excellent communication

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or related field

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

High-content imaging analysis

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

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 experience in Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline or 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

• 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.

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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