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.co.uk. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description- Principal Research Scientist I, Immunobiology
- Oxford, United Kingdom
- Full-time (onsite)
Background:
DJS-AbbVie is an AbbVie R&D hub located in Oxford, created following AbbVie’s acquisition in 2022 of DJS Antibodies. As part of AbbVie, we aim to develop new medicines that improve the lives of patients with immunological diseases.
To achieve this, we have built and are now expanding an R&D presence in Oxford that integrates drug design, human-centric biology and mechanistic clinical testing. We have discovered and developed multiple novel pipeline candidates in immunological diseases through our onsite capabilities in antibody discovery and translational biology. We also act as a UK and European hub for the wider AbbVie R&D organisation, uncovering novel biology and advancing late-stage assets to the clinic through collaboration with top-tier academic and biotech partners in Oxford and beyond. This hub model has already delivered several first-in-class drug candidates and clinical assets, supported by a broad network of local collaborations spanning drug discovery technologies, novel disease biology, and innovative clinical trial approaches. The breadth of innovative activity taking place here makes this a unique place to work and a vital part of AbbVie’s ambition to turn science into cures.
Purpose:
The role reports into the most senior immuno-biologist on site in Oxford (the Principal Scientist II, Immunobiology). The purpose of wider Oxford Immunobiology group is to uncover and validate novel biology and targets coming from external academic collaborators, as well as internal ‘reverse translation’ clinical sample datasets, and ensure that the best targets are translated into new discovery programs. Within this larger team, you will line-manage a new-build team of 2-3 scientists and associate scientists. The team will have a particular focus on modelling immunological mechanisms, including the use of complex in vitro model systems (CIVMs). You will need to set strategy around which models the team builds, working with stakeholders across the wider US-based R&D and Immunology organisation to determine where the organisational need lies. You will also need to work closely with your lab-based team and peers to optimise and troubleshoot the models, and will therefore require strong working knowledge of key immunological techniques, and standards of scientific rigour required to establish robust assays/models. You will work closely with your boss and peers to develop the medium and long-strategy for immunobiology in Oxford, defining priority biology areas and targets. You will also shape and lead the generation of data packages to support target entry into the AbbVie Immunology portfolio.
Responsibilities:
- Line manage a group of 2-3 scientists and associate scientists working on modelling immunobiological processes.
- Engaging with the literature and attending conferences to maintain deep understanding of target and disease biology.
- Set the strategy for this team, identifying the key biological areas and mechanisms for the team to focus on.
- Work closely with benchtop scientists to design experiments and troubleshoot model builds.
- Spend a portion of time leading and working from the bench, establishing and understanding the models owned by their team.
- Identify and evaluate new technologies and equipment to expand capabilities in line with current and future needs.
- Shape and lead the generation of target validation packages to support the entry of targets into the AbbVie portfolio.
- Support later stage discovery programs by uncovering the biological mode of action of leads and candidate drugs.
- Develop a deep understanding of AbbVie Immunology’s research strategy.
- Validation of tools to support pathway deconvolution and target validation.
- Contribute ideas and suggestions to all DJS programs.
Essential Qualifications:
- Extensive experience in a relevant field: BSc or PhD or equivalent experience in drug discovery or target validation, preferably in industry.
- Detailed working knowledge of key immunological techniques:
- Primary cell culture and functional in vitro/ex vivo assays, with at least one of the following: fibroblasts or other mesenchymal cells, myeloid cells or lymphocytic cells
- Flow cytometry
- Fluorescence microscopy
- At least two years of practical experience establishing and extracting insights from either complex in vitro model systems, or in vivo models.
- Have conducted research into at least one immunological disease area
- Experience in deconvoluting biological pathways or formal target validation work.
Desirable qualifications:
- Practical experience of advanced techniques such as spectral flow cytometry, automated and high-content imaging.
- Practical experience with ‘omics technologies and interpretation of results: bulk RNAseq, single cell RNA seq.
- Experience working with and establishing explant/biopsied-tissue based bioassays.
- Practical experience in data management and processing of high-content readouts
- Building and maintaining collaborative networks of researchers across multiple organisations
- Working within an industrial setting on a drug development program
- Establishing assays with primary cells, working with organoids or organ on a chip models
- Performing high-throughput assays
- Working with contract research organisations
- Antibody binding techniques; ELISA, FACS, SPR etc.
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:
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Skills Required
- BSc or PhD or equivalent experience in drug discovery or target validation, preferably in industry
- Detailed working knowledge of primary cell culture and functional in vitro/ex vivo assays (including fibroblasts/mesenchymal, myeloid, or lymphocytic cells)
- Flow cytometry
- Fluorescence microscopy
- At least two years practical experience establishing and extracting insights from complex in vitro model systems or in vivo models
- Research experience in at least one immunological disease area
- Experience in deconvoluting biological pathways or formal target validation
- Spectral flow cytometry and automated/high-content imaging
- Experience with omics technologies and interpretation (bulk RNAseq, single cell RNAseq)
- Experience establishing explant/biopsied-tissue based bioassays
- Data management and processing of high-content readouts
- Building and maintaining collaborative networks across multiple organisations
- Experience working within an industrial drug development program
- Experience establishing assays with primary cells, organoids or organ-on-a-chip models
- Experience performing high-throughput assays
- Experience working with contract research organisations (CROs)
- Antibody binding techniques such as ELISA, FACS, SPR
AbbVie Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about AbbVie and has not been reviewed or approved by AbbVie.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) contributions include a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% plus an additional annual company contribution tied to age and service. Company-paid life insurance and other financial protections further strengthen long-term security.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid leave programs include up to 12 weeks at 100% for parental leave and separate paid caregiver leave, with eligibility after six months where noted. Adoption and surrogacy reimbursements and family-building resources add further support.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage begins on day one with medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription benefits, and preventive care covered at 100%. Options such as HSAs/FSAs and coverage for spouses/domestic partners and children up to age 26 broaden accessibility.
AbbVie Insights
What We Do
AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on creating medicines and solutions that put impact first — for patients, communities, and our world. We aim to address complex health issues and enhance people's lives through our core therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, aesthetics and other areas of unmet need.
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