Principal Research Scientist I, Immuno-Pharmacology

AbbVie Inc; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie Inc is seeking a Principal Scientist I to lead peptide therapeutic programs within its Immunology Discovery organization. This role involves directing research initiatives, mentoring scientists, and collaborating extensively across teams to develop novel immunology therapies. Ideal candidates have a strong background in immunology, extensive biotech experience, and demonstrated leadership in drug discovery.

Benefits

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick)

Medical/Dental/Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Short-term incentive programs

Long-term incentive programs

Qualifications

• Typically 6+ years of industry experience for PhD candidates.
• Technical expertise in immunology lab methods.
• Experience leading IND-enabling programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead peptide biology and immunology research programs.
• Oversee IND-enabling data generation and regulatory submissions.
• Mentor and supervise a high-performing team.

Skills

Immunology

Peptide Biology

Scientific Communication

Problem Solving

Education

PhD in Immunology or relevant biological science

MS with typically 12+ years

BS with typically 14+ years

Tools

Flow Cytometry

Digital Droplet PCR

RNA Sequencing

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 atwww.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie onX,Facebook,Instagram,YouTube,LinkedInandTik Tok.

Job Description

We are seeking an accomplished Principal Scientist I to lead innovative peptide therapeutic programs in AbbVie’s Immunology Discovery organization in our Immuno-Pharmacology and Peptide Discovery department. The candidate will provide scientific and people leadership for peptide projects spanning early-stage discovery efforts as well as IND-enabling development programs. In addition, this role will spearhead platform initiatives to advance AbbVie’s peptide capabilities across immunology, ensuring that cutting-edge peptide technologies are leveraged to address critical needs in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Working within a cross-functional, matrixed team environment, the Principal Scientist I will drive robust data generation and clear communication to meet key program milestones. The successful candidate will collaborate extensively with internal and external partners, representing their programs in internal governance reviews and at external scientific forums. Through strong leadership and deep expertise in immunology and peptide science, this individual will champion AbbVie’s patient-focused R&D mission by translating breakthrough peptide research into novel immunology therapies for patients.

Responsibilities:

• Principal Investigator Leadership: Act as a principal investigator, spearheading peptide biology and immunology research programs while generating novel therapeutic ideas and guiding the scientific strategy to advance AbbVie’s peptide therapeutic platform.
• Drive Program Execution: Independently lead the scientific execution of one or more peptide therapeutic programs, taking accountability for experimental design, data integrity, and progress toward key project milestones.
• Lead Lab and Cross-Functional Activities: Contribute to program success through both hands-on laboratory research and cross-functional leadership. Lead cross-functional project teams to advance peptide therapeutic candidates from late discovery through IND-enabling studies to clinical transition, ensuring alignment across disciplines and timely achievement of key milestones.
• IND-Enabling Data: Develop, generate and oversee comprehensive IND-enabling data packages, including preclinical efficacy, pharmacokinetic, toxicology, and immunogenicity studies, to support regulatory submissions and enable the smooth transition of peptide candidates into clinical development.
• Peptide Optimization Strategy: Guide the scientific planning for peptide lead optimization within Immunology team, integrating structure–activity relationship insights and cross-functional data to enhance candidate potency, selectivity, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Immunological Assays & Biomarkers: Design, oversee and execute immunological assays and biomarker strategies to elucidate mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamic responses for peptide therapeutics, providing hands-on technical guidance to ensure robust, reproducible results.
• Team Mentorship & Development: Mentor and supervise a high-performing team of scientists by providing technical guidance, fostering an innovative and collaborative laboratory culture, and supporting professional growth to drive scientific excellence.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Provide subject matter expertise in peptide biology and immunology to cross-functional teams and senior leadership, advising on key scientific questions and guiding program decisions with data-driven insights.
• Scientific Documentation: Ensure rigorous documentation of research activities by authoring and reviewing detailed technical reports, experimental protocols, and patent applications, while maintaining high standards of data integrity and quality.
• External Scientific Representation: Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at external scientific conferences, effectively representing AbbVie’s scientific excellence in peptide therapeutics and immunology.
• Innovation & Pipeline Expansion: Drive early-stage peptide discovery projects and platform innovation initiatives, evaluating and implementing emerging technologies and novel approaches to expand AbbVie’s peptide therapeutic capabilities and pipeline.

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology or a relevant biological science with typically 6+ years of industry experience; or MS with typically 12+ years; or BS with typically 14+ years.
• Strong immunology background with demonstrated expertise in inflammatory signaling pathways, immune cell trafficking, and/or cellular immunology.
• Technical expertise in a wide range of immunology lab methods including complex cellular assays, multi-color flow cytometry, digital droplet PCR, and RNA sequencing.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a principal investigator: originate scientific strategy, lead cross-functional research teams, and mentor scientists.
• Required experience leading IND-enabling preclinical programs and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to contribute to regulatory submissions.
• Recognized as an expert in their discipline internally and/or externally.
• Strong track record of scientific communication: publications, external presentations, and/or regulatory authorship.
• Demonstrated creativity and problem-solving, with the ability to propose and drive innovative scientific solutions.
• Required leadership experience: direct supervision, mentoring, and performance management of scientific staff.

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 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, andwemay ultimatelypay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in thefuture. Salary: $121,000 - $230,000

• 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 to participate in our short-term incentiveprograms.

• This job is eligible to participate in 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 employee remains in the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay be modified at 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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