Principal Research Scientist I, siRNA Platform Automation

University of Georgia- FACS; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Principal Research Scientist in Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine to build a high-throughput siRNA screening platform and guide delivery modality innovations across multiple programs.

You will mentor a team of 2–3 scientists, drive platform optimization, and collaborate with internal and external partners to advance therapeutic leads.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with extensive relevant biotech/pharma experience.
• Proven track record in siRNA design, in vitro screening, and potency assays.
• Experience leading siRNA platform initiatives or portfolio programs.

Responsibilities

• Establish a high-throughput siRNA screening platform using automated systems.
• Serve as SME in siRNA screening design, execution, and data interpretation.
• Lead research efforts and mentor 2–3 scientists to advance siRNA optimization.
• Generate new hypotheses, improve workflows, and evaluate emerging siRNA technologies.
• Communicate with internal teams and collaborators to support platform enhancement and program advancement.
• Manage and develop a small team with day-to-day leadership for program goals.

Skills

siRNA design

high-throughput screening

team leadership

data interpretation

experimental design

cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology / Biochemistry / Chemical Biology

or MS with extensive biotech/pharma experience

BS with long proven experience

Tools

Hamilton automation

Tecan automation

qRT-PCR

ELISA

flow cytometry

Job description

ICompany 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

AbbVie's Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine (BGM) department is seeking a highly motivated Principal Research Scientist to join our expanding siRNA team. In this role, you will partner with genetic medicine teams to establish a high-throughput siRNA screening platform that advances pipeline innovation through next-generation delivery modalities and supports the discovery of therapeutic leads across multiple disease areas.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement a high-throughput siRNA screening platform using automated liquid-handling systems.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in siRNA screening experimental design, execution, and data interpretation.
• Lead research efforts and mentor scientists to advance siRNA optimization, including sequence design and novel chemical modifications, across multiple programs.
• Generate new scientific hypotheses and proposals, improve existing screening workflows, and evaluate emerging technologies in the siRNA field.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with internal siRNA teams and cross-functional collaborators to identify needs and support platform enhancement and program advancement.
• Manage and develop a team of at least 2-3 scientists, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and day-to-day leadership to support program goals.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related field, with typically 6+ years (PhD), 12+ years (MS), or 14+ years (BS) of relevant experience in biotech or pharma.
• Proven track record in siRNA design, in vitro screening, and potency assays with experience using automated high-throughput platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan).
• Experience with assays including, but not limited to, qRT-PCR, ELISA, and flow cytometry.
• Demonstrated experience in cell culture, including the maintenance of diverse cell lines.
• Prior experience leading siRNA platform initiatives or portfolio programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships with diverse internal teams and external collaborators.
• Strong track record of presenting complex scientific data to internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in animal study design and downstream assays to evaluate genetic medicines is a plus.
• Prior people management experience is a plus.

Additional Information

• Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: 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-tern and long-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.htmlI