Pathology Associate Scientist II - Translational Medicine

AbbVie; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

AbbVie’s Pathology Laboratory within Local Delivery Translational Sciences seeks a Pathology Associate II to perform routine histology and specialized ocular histology in support of nonclinical safety and investigative research. You will work with pathologists, scientists, and colleagues to coordinate study support and maintain essential materials.

The role emphasizes independent lab work, attention to detail, and efficient operations, with guidance provided as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 2–4 years of relevant experience or Master’s with 0–2 years.
• Hands-on experience with routine histology procedures and tissue processing.
• Experience operating histology equipment, including tissue processors and automated staining systems.
• Experience packaging, shipping, and tracking histology specimens.
• Ability to independently manage lab activities with minimal supervision.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational and communication skills.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech life-sciences is preferred.
• Experience with ocular histology, IHC, and whole-slide imaging is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine histology including trimming, embedding, microtomy, staining, and coverslipping.
• Perform specialized ocular histology for nonclinical safety and investigative studies.
• Assist with immunohistochemistry and special stains per established protocols.
• Prepare, label, organize, track, archive, package, ship, and receive tissue blocks and slides.
• Operate histology equipment and coordinate routine maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and study documentation.
• Support inventory and stocking of supplies; coordinate equipment service.
• Coordinate pathology materials with pathologists, scientists, CROs, and colleagues at other sites.
• Follow safety policies, SOPs, quality procedures, and applicable compliance.
• Maintain awareness of histology advances and contribute to efficiency.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree with 2-4 years experience

Master's degree with 0-2 years experience

Tools

Histology equipment

Tissue processors

Automated staining systems

Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

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 at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

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

The Pathology Laboratory within Local Delivery Translational Sciences (LDTS) develops, validates, and applies investigative pathology-based methods to support drug discovery, translational research, and nonclinical safety programs. The laboratory helps pathologists and scientists characterize compound-induced effects related to target-organ injury in animal and human tissues, characterize animal models of disease, develop target-engagement endpoints, evaluate local drug biodistribution, and address key questions that advance eyecare, aesthetics, and botulinum toxin development programs.

The Pathology Associate II is an experienced laboratory professional responsible for independently performing routine histology, specialized ocular histology, and related laboratory activities in support of nonclinical safety and investigative research studies. This role works closely with pathologists, scientists, and laboratory colleagues to coordinate study support, maintain laboratory equipment and supplies, manage pathology materials, and assist with specialized histology procedures such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and special stains.

As a member of a small, collaborative team, the successful candidate will apply strong histology expertise, attention to detail, and sound laboratory judgment to support timely, high-quality study execution and efficient pathology laboratory operations.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform routine histology procedures, including tissue trimming, embedding, microtomy, slide preparation, staining, and coverslipping.
• Perform specialized ocular histology procedures and support preparation of ocular tissues for nonclinical safety and investigative studies.
• Perform or assist with immunohistochemistry (IHC), special stains, and other pathology laboratory procedures according to established protocols.
• Prepare, label, organize, track, archive, package, ship, and receive tissue blocks, slides, biological specimens, and other study‑related materials.
• Operate histology equipment, including tissue processors and automated staining systems, and coordinate routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting activities.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, sample‑tracking information, equipment documentation, and study‑related documentation.
• Support laboratory operations through inventory management, purchasing and stocking supplies, coordinating equipment service, and maintaining organized work areas.
• Coordinate pathology materials and work schedules with pathologists, scientists, external contract research organizations (CROs), and colleagues at other sites.
• Follow laboratory safety policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality procedures, and applicable compliance requirements.
• Maintain awareness of current histology technologies and contribute to laboratory efficiency and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate effectively with pathologists, scientists, and laboratory staff to support study execution and departmental objectives.
• Provide technical guidance or hands‑on support to less experienced colleagues as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree with 2-4 years of relevant experience, a master's degree with 0-2 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Hands-on experience with routine histology procedures, including tissue trimming, embedding, microtomy, sectioning, staining, and slide preparation.
• Experience operating and maintaining histology equipment, such as tissue processors and automated staining systems.
• Experience packaging, shipping, receiving, and tracking histology specimens and materials.
• Ability to independently manage assigned laboratory activities with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, communication skills, and commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, follow established procedures, and maintain accurate documentation.

Preferred

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, contract research, or related life-sciences industry.
• Hands‑on experience with ocular histology.
• Experience with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and automated platforms such as the Leica Bond RX.
• Experience with special staining methods.
• Experience with digital pathology and whole-slide imaging systems.
• ASCP Histotechnician (HT) or Histotechnologist (HTL) certification.

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.

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