Principal Research Scientist I, In Vivo CAR-T Biology

About the role

AbbVie is seeking an accomplished in vitro preclinical scientist to join the in vivo CAR Biology group as a Principal Research Scientist I. This individual will play a significant role in integrating emerging platform capabilities with novel CAR-T designs and discovery projects to advance next-generation in vivo CAR T-cell therapies from concept through IND-enabling studies.

Responsibilities

• Function as a Principal Investigator within the in vivo CAR Biology in vitro preclinical team by defining original scientific hypotheses and research and development strategies for novel in vivo CAR T-cell therapies.
• Anticipate and critically evaluate scientific advances or competitive threats and respond with appropriate new research proposals.
• Collaborate with Quantitative Medicine, Biotherapeutics, Genetic Medicine, and Discovery Research mRNA-tLNP groups to design and functionally test novel CAR constructs that address key therapeutic challenges.
• Lead laboratory project execution by translating therapeutic hypotheses into actionable plans; defining integrated timelines, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and ownership; ensuring adherence and accountability; and partnering with workstream authors to flag schedule risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Represent project teams by providing stakeholders with clear, timely updates on scientific strategy, experimental progress, key decisions, and project risks.
• Mentor/supervise a team of one or more and evaluate the performance of those individuals; is accountable for the effective performance of the team/individuals.
• Demonstrate creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve difficult problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals.
• Primary author of novel workflows, publications, presentations, regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents.
• Present research findings and innovative ideas at leading scientific conferences to strengthen AbbVie's scientific reputation and engagement with external stakeholders and collaborators.

Qualifications & Requirements

• BS or equivalent education with typically 14+ years of experience; MS or equivalent education with typically 12+ years of experience; or PhD with typically 6+ years of experience in CAR-T discovery research, cell therapy, or immuno-oncology.
• Expertise in designing, generating, and preclinically evaluating CAR-T candidates; experience developing next-generation in vivo lentiviral CAR-T platforms is strongly preferred.
• Expertise in synthetic biology, T-cell biology, and immuno-oncology applied to CAR design and next-generation in vivo CAR-T platform innovation.
• Experience developing complex, semi-automated experimental and analytical workflows and functional screening assays to improve the throughput, reproducibility, and efficiency of CAR-T candidate discovery, characterization, and selection.
• Demonstrated capacity to function as a Principal Investigator by generating original technical ideas, defining research or development strategies, and leading multidisciplinary teams through execution and scientific decision-making.
• Exceptional project management and prioritization skills, with demonstrated ability to define integrated research timelines, manage dependencies and competing priorities, establish clear ownership, hold contributors accountable, and proactively communicate and mitigate delivery risks.
• Demonstrated success as a primary author of publications, presentations, or regulatory documents and/or as a primary inventor on patents, with a record of communicating complex scientific findings effectively to internal and external audiences.

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 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.