Principal Research Scientist I, Immunobiology

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. 

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 such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa 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. 

The Opportunity

A critical part of achieving our vision is working with exceptional people. We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Senior Scientist to join our Immunobiology team, whose goal is to uncover and validate novel biology, translate insights from external academic collaborators and internal clinical datasets, and ensure the best targets enter new discovery programs.

This is a leadership role with real scientific depth. You will build and line-manage a new team of 2 to 3 scientists and associate scientists, with a particular focus on modelling immunological mechanisms, including complex in vitro model systems (CIVMs). You will set the strategic direction for this team, working with stakeholders across the wider US-based R&D and Immunology organisation to determine where the greatest scientific need lies.

Room to Grow

At DJS, we want to foster innovative scientists performing cutting-edge science. In this role you will develop your leadership and strategy capabilities alongside deepening your scientific expertise, gaining visibility across a portfolio that spans early discovery through to clinical-stage drug candidates. Our unique position within AbbVie extends those opportunities further, connecting you to a world-leading drug development pipeline and a global network of scientists across disease areas and disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Bringing energy, enthusiasm and positivity to the company
• Line managing a group of 2 to 3 scientists and associate scientists working on modelling immunobiological processes
• Setting the strategy for your team, identifying the key biological areas and mechanisms for the group to focus on
• Engaging with the literature and attending conferences to maintain deep understanding of target and disease biology
• Working closely with benchtop scientists to design experiments and troubleshoot model builds
• Spending a meaningful portion of time at the bench, leading and contributing directly to the models owned by your team
• Identifying and evaluating new technologies and equipment to expand capabilities in line with current and future needs
• Shaping and leading the generation of target validation packages to support the entry of targets into the AbbVie Immunology portfolio
• Supporting later-stage discovery programs by uncovering the biological mode of action of leads and candidate drugs
• Developing a deep understanding of AbbVie Immunology's research strategy
• Validating tools to support pathway deconvolution and target validation
• Contributing ideas and suggestions to all DJS programs
• Gathering, analysing and presenting data to the Oxford team and US-based colleagues
• Critical and impartial review of self and peer-generated laboratory data
• Maintenance of thorough and accurate laboratory experimental records

What We Are Looking For

Essential:

• A PhD or equivalent experience in drug discovery or target validation, preferably in industry
• Detailed working knowledge of key immunological techniques, including:
  • Primary cell culture and functional in vitro or ex vivo assays, with experience in at least one of: 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 complex in vitro model systems or in vivo models
• Experience conducting research in at least one immunological disease area
• Experience in deconvoluting biological pathways or formal target validation work

Desirable:

• Experience with organ-on-a-chip models, organoids or other advanced CIVMs
• Exposure to omics-based approaches such as RNA-seq
• Fluorescent imaging analysis and quantification (e.g. Molecular Devices InCarta)
• Experience with high- or medium-throughput primary cell antibody screening assay development

Across everything you do, you will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a small scientific team
• Excellent organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively across internal and external stakeholders
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication
• A strategic mindset combined with a practical, hands-on approach
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, science-led environment
• Strong IT skills and a flexible, goal-oriented attitude

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

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