Director, Computational Sciences

BioSpace; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a visionary leader to head a global computational chemistry team within the MPDD organization. You will guide strategy across discovery and development, align with cross-functional partners, and drive AI-enabled drug discovery efforts.

You will mentor scientists and build external collaborations to advance portfolio candidates. The role requires a strong track record in leadership, innovation, and modern computational methods, with the ability to influence across organizational

Qualifications

• Strong track record of people, technical, and research project management.
• Experience leading scientific research teams.
• Experience with cross-functional collaboration in discovery and development.

Responsibilities

• Interfaces closely with Development Sciences and Discovery leaders to align strategies.
• Develop and implement strategies to drive Computational Sciences and AI‑enabled drug discovery.
• Autonomously manage multiple projects and team leaders, guiding long-term strategy.
• Identify and manage external research collaborations across academia and industry.
• Make highly informed decisions based on data and information.

Skills

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

PhD in chemistry or computational chemistry

Masters in related field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Computational chemistry tools

AI/ML models

Molecular dynamics

Job 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 atwww.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie onLinkedIn,Facebook,Instagram,XandYouTube.

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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us atwww.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie onLinkedIn,Facebook,Instagram,XandYouTube.

Job Description

The Molecular Profiling and Drug Delivery (MPDD) function within the Synthetic Molecule CMC organization is accountable for a broad range of deliverables across multiple stages of drug discovery and development. From virtual screening, lead generation, and lead optimization through candidate selection, MPDD scientists use state-of-the-art automation and computational tools, supported by expertise in biopharmaceutics, drug delivery, and solid-state chemistry, to collaboratively design and advance candidates with a higher probability of success into development and to inform clinical drug-delivery strategy. From candidate selection through clinical proof of concept and product launch, MPDD scientists work on cross-functional teams to identify the commercial solid form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and establish structurepropertyperformance correlations that help deliver robust commercial processes and align control strategies across drug substance and drug product.

Computational chemists within AbbVies MPDD organization partner across Development Sciences and Discovery Sciences in three key focus areas: molecular design and profiling, chemical transitions, and materials design across synthetic modalities. Their work supports the design and advancement of compounds, materials, and formulations with optimal developability properties from lead optimization through commercial development, aligned with the broader goal of advancing first-in-class and best-in-class clinical candidates. The team develops hierarchical modeling approaches that integrate physics-based atomistic methods, including molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics, with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and hybrid physics-informed AI/ML models across hardware platforms for precision in predictions. In close collaboration with medicinal chemists, data scientists, materials scientists, formulation scientists, engineers, and molecular modelers, the team embeds these tools into screening funnels across medicinal chemistry design cycles and preclinical and clinical drug-substance and drug-product development, while maintaining a strong partnership ecosystem to source and leverage external innovation.

AbbVies MPDD organization is seeking a visionary leader with a successful track record of innovation and deliverables in a drug discovery setting to head a global computational chemistry team of 10-12 talented scientists and matrixed leadership of broader modeling community across the larger Synthetic Molecules CMC (SM CMC) and Development Sciences Organizations. This leader will report to the Global Head of Molecular Profiling and Drug Delivery organization and be a member of the SM CMC Extended Leadership Team. In partnership with other key leaders in Discovery Research, Development Sciences and Information Research, they will be responsible for cocreating a forward-looking strategy that realizes the promise of Computational Sciences and AI enabled drug discovery and development to deliver on a portfolio of new and improved therapies for patients in alignment with AbbVies broader R&D priorities and AI strategy across synthetic modalities. The ideal candidate will bring a strong record of project impact, capability development, and external partnership building across the mid- to late-stage discovery process, with expertise in quantum mechanics, atomistic molecular simulations, including molecular dynamics, and AI/machine learning. Prior experience mentoring early/mid-career scientists in matrixed and/or direct reporting relationships, with demonstrated ability to lead and influence through cross-functional boundaries.

Responsibilities

Strategic Direction

• Interfaces closely with Development Sciences and Discovery leaders to align strategies and research activities on pipeline programs.
• Partners across functions including Discovery Research, Development Sciences and Information Research to develop and implement strategies, methods and operating models to drive Computational Sciences and AI enabled drug discovery.
• Autonomously manages multiple projects and team leaders, making decisions that impact long term company strategy.
• Identifies, creates, and manages or oversees an eco-system of external research collaborations across academia and tech.
• Makes highly critical but educated decisions based on review of all important information and data.

Scientific Leadership

• Manages project intake, capacity planning for small molecule portfolio of projects and aligns scope, timelines and decision points for support of med chem optimization.
• Leads innovation in methodologies, integration across platforms, and emerging technology trends to facilitate development and deployment of cutting-edge stage-appropriate full-stack solutions across mid-late discovery and early clinical development.
• Guides the identification, development, pilot, implementation, and eventual democratization of stage-appropriate computational models that leverage advanced computational techniques to enable the design and optimization of drug candidates across synthetic modalities
• In collaboration with Information Research ensures robust model/data management and democratization that drives fuller utilization of the tools, their continued development, and refinement.

People Impact

• Able to develop and execute innovative, informed, and effective solutions to inter/intra group/project conflicts, resource allocation issues, and scientific setbacks.
• Create a stimulating and innovative work environment that attracts, retains, develops and motivates top talent.
• Ensure that employees are developed to their full potential and assist them in identifying appropriate development opportunities within the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or equivalent education in chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, computer science, or a related scientific field, with typically 18+ years of related work experience inclusive of managerial experience leading scientific research teams; Masters degree or equivalent education, with typically 16+ years of related work experience inclusive of managerial experience leading scientific research teams; or a PhD in chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, computer science, or a related field, with typically 12+ years of related work experience inclusive of managerial experience leading scientific research teams.
• Strong track record of people, technical, and research project management with significant impact.
• Strong track record of high-impact scientific achievement including a robust publication record.
• Strong track record of cross functional collaboration.
• Knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art computational methodologies, technology platforms and emerging trends, and associated workflows to accelerate discovery and development of therapies with precision in predictions in a fast paced and creative environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with executive presence.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to navigate multiple stakeholders while engaging and motivating staff.

Additional Information

• 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 the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, 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 long-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodifiedat the Companys 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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