Senior Scientist, siRNA Design and Off-Target Analysis

BioSpace

Worcester (MA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Senior Scientist in the Biotherapeutic and Genetic Medicine group to design and optimize siRNA sequences, develop off-target workflows, and integrate transcriptomic data.

You will build ML models and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate findings into safer RNA-based therapeutics.

Qualifications

PhD/MS/BS with biotech/pharma experience ranging from entry to senior level.
Proficiency in Python and/or R for reproducible workflows.
Experience with off-target analysis, mechanistic interpretation, or risk assessment for RNA therapeutics.
Strong background in NGS library prep technologies and transcriptomic data analysis.
Ability to prepare scientific reports and regulatory-facing documentation.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Establish and optimize siRNA design pipelines using genomic and transcriptomic data.
Build ML models from high-throughput siRNA data to improve sequence selection.
Collaborate on NGS library preparation for off-target analysis.
Interpret transcriptomic data to identify off-target signals and risks.
Develop reusable analysis tools and automation pipelines in Python/R.
Prepare clear, traceable data reports and summaries.
Collaborate with assay scientists and cross-functional partners to translate findings.
Support transcriptomic validation studies related to off-target effects.
Stay current on RNAi biology and computational methods.

Skills

Python/R

NGS/Transcriptomics

Off-target analysis

Regulatory reporting

Communication

Collaboration

Independent work

Education

PhD in computational biology or related

MS in related field

BS in related field

Tools

Python

NGS library prep

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

About AbbVie

Job Description

AbbVie's Biotherapeutic and Genetic Medicine (BGM) department is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with deep expertise in computational biology, molecular design, and next-generation sequencing to support siRNA design and off-target assessment. This role will establish and optimize siRNA sequences with enhanced knockdown efficacy and reduced off-target liabilities, develop off-target assessment workflows, and integrate transcriptomic and genomic data. The ideal candidate will combine strong biological insight with quantitative skills to advance siRNA design, identify potential off-target risks, and contribute to the development of safer, more selective RNA-based therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

Establish, implement, and improve pipelines for siRNA sequence design, integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and RNA structural data along with other factors that influence siRNA target specificity and efficacy.
Build machine learning models based on high-throughput siRNA screening data to improve siRNAsequenceselection.
Collaborate withinternalteamson NGS library preparation for off-target analysis.
Interpret transcriptomic data to identify potential off-target signals and biological risk.
Develop, maintain,and version-control reusable tools, scripts, and pipelines in Python, R, or other programming languages to support analysis, visualization, automation, and reporting.
Generate clearandtraceabledata analysis reports,slide decks,andtechnical summaries.
Collaborate with in vitro assay scientists, oligonucleotide scientists, andAIcolleagues, and cross-functional partners to translate findings into actionable biological insights.
Support transcriptomic and targeted validation studies relevant to seed-mediated and sequence-dependent off-target effects.
Stay current on advances in RNAi biology, off-target analysis, transcriptomics, and computational methods relevant to nonclinical safety assessment.

Qualifications

BS, MS, or PhD in computational biology, genomics, RNA biology, or a related fieldwith typically 0-4+ years (PhD), 8-10+ years (MS), or 10-12+ years (BS) of relevant biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience.
Proficiency in Python and/or R, or other programming languages, with experience developing reproducible analytical workflows and analysis pipelines.
Experience supporting off-target analysis, mechanistic interpretation, or risk assessment for siRNA, ASO, or related therapeutic modalities.
Strong background in NGS library preparation technologies and transcriptomic data analysis.
Strong understanding of molecular and cellular biology, with the ability to translate transcriptomic findings into biologically meaningful conclusions.
Experience preparing scientific reports, presentations, or regulatory-facing documentation.
Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and contribute effectively in a cross-functional environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience withtranscriptome andother multi-omics data integration.
Experience withRNA biology, RNAi mechanisms, or nucleic acid therapeutics.
Prior experience evaluatingmachine learning-enabled scientific workflows, including LLM-assisted or agentic tools.
Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or translational research settings.

Position will be filled at level commensurate with extent of education, experience, and accomplishment - Senior Scientist I or Senior Scientist II

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 Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at thetimeofthis posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographiclocation,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 short-term incentiveprograms.
This job may be eligible toparticipatein our short-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.Theamountandavailabilityof anybonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company'ssoleandabsolutediscretion 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.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visithttps://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

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