Scientist II, Peptide Discovery

AbbVie is looking for a highly skilled Scientist II to join our Immuno-Pharmacology and Peptide Discovery team within our Immunology Discovery organization. This lab-based role supports both IND-enabling and early-stage discovery programs in immunology through hands-on in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experimentation. The position independently investigates, develops, and optimizes immunological assays and rodent models to evaluate peptide therapeutics, and contributes to platform and program-level research efforts. The scientist actively improves existing workflows, adapts methods from literature, and applies scientific rigor in experimental planning and data interpretation. The candidate will play a key role in integrating experimental pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data—including plasma and tissue exposure and receptor occupancy (RO)—to support translational understanding and dose optimization of orally delivered peptide therapeutics. This includes supporting experimental designs that inform quantitative site-of-action models and dose–exposure–response relationships across tissues and immune compartments. The role involves harvesting and processing relevant tissues (e.g., spleen, lymph nodes, GI tissues, skin), executing cellular and molecular assays, and collaborating cross-functionally to inform biodistribution, RO, and translational model refinement. This position is essential to generating data that supports cross-functional, data-driven dosing decisions and building the PK/PD relationship for peptide therapeutics at AbbVie.

Responsibilities: 

• Experimental Design & Execution: Design, execute, and interpret immunological and pharmacological experiments to support IND-enabling and discovery-stage projects across peptide therapeutic programs, collaborating closely with team members.
• Biodistribution/RO & Dose Response Data Generation: Collect and analyze plasma and tissue drug exposure and receptor occupancy (RO) data to support dose-exposure-response predictions and inform oral dosing strategies for peptide candidates.
• In Vivo Immunology: Work side by side with vivarium personnel to perform adoptive transfer, rodent dosing (mice and rats), issue harvesting and processing for downstream cellular and molecular analysis of immune responses and target engagement in autoimmune models.
• Immunological Assays: Execute a variety of immunological assays (e.g., flow cytometry, ELISPOT, co-cultures, cytokine profiling, whole blood assays) to characterize immune responses and evaluate the efficacy of peptide therapeutic candidates.
• Molecular Techniques: Conduct RNA isolation, qPCR/digital PCR, and related methods to assess gene expression, cytokine responses, and biomarker modulation.
• Tissue-Based Insights: Process lymphoid and barrier tissues (e.g., GI tract, skin, lymph nodes, spleen) for immune profiling and support receptor occupancy and BioD assessments at relevant disease sites.
• Model-Enabled Experimentation: Contribute experimental data to support BioD- and PK/PD-driven modeling efforts, including immune cell targeting, dose saturation effects, and target engagement across tissues.
• Translational Strategy Support: Help refine experimental designs to address translational knowledge gaps and provide data to support clinical prediction models and regulatory packages.
• Technical Mastery: Demonstrate mastery of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo immunology techniques, applying these methods to peptide-focused studies to generate robust, reproducible data.
• Data Analysis (PK/PD): Interpret pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data – including plasma and tissue exposure levels and receptor occupancy – to guide program decisions and optimize peptide therapeutic candidates.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate cross-functionally with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., DMPK, pharmacology, chemistry) to integrate experimental findings into broader program objectives and ensure alignment with overall peptide therapeutic development goals.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: BS, MS, or equivalent education with typically 7+ (BS) or 5+ (MS) years of relevant industry experience; preferably in biology or a related biological science.
• Experimental Skills: Proven ability to independently design, execute, and interpret critical experiments addressing complex scientific questions in immunology, pharmacology, or related disciplines.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated hands-on expertise in some of these immunological techniques ELISA, MSD, ELISPOT, flow cytometry, whole blood assays, qPCR/ddPCR, RNA extraction and analysis is preferred, and experience with in vivo rodent procedures (dosing, tissue harvesting, adoptive transfer) in rats and/or mice is required.
• PK/PD & BioD Experience: Familiarity with concepts of pharmacokinetics (plasma and tissue exposure), receptor occupancy, and dose-exposure-response relationships; demonstrated ability to collect, interpret, and communicate data relevant to these areas.
• Adaptability & Continuous Learning: Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn, master, and implement new experimental techniques and methodologies to advance scientific objectives.
• Organizational & Time Management: Strong organizational skills, including the ability to multitask effectively and consistently deliver high-quality results within established project timelines.
• Communication Skills: Excellent scientific writing skills for clear documentation of research findings; strong verbal communication skills for effective presentations and cross-functional collaboration.
• Collaborative Mindset: Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams, integrating experimental insights with cross-functional groups (e.g., DMPK, pharmacology, clinical sciences) to drive informed, data-driven decisions.

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 ofthis 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-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 anybonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's soleand 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. 

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