At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative drug discovery projects and tackle complex scientific challenges.
- Company: Join AbbVie, a leader in developing groundbreaking therapeutics for serious health issues.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives through cutting-edge research and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in drug discovery and expertise in cellular therapies or antibody engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
The role is part of DJS-AbbVie, a discovery hub within AbbVie Immunology that focuses on novel therapeutics and translating immunological science into innovative R&D programmes. We are seeking an experienced drug hunter to join our Novel Therapeutics – Cellular Depletion Team.
Why this role?
- Autonomy: You will have significant scope to shape scientific strategy, influence portfolio direction, and act as molecule lead on selected programmes. You will work closely with the team leader and cross‑functional partners to define approaches, assess risk, and guide experimental plans. We are looking for someone who is confident taking ownership of complex scientific challenges and who thrives when given the freedom to lead with rigor and initiative.
- Mastery: This role is ideal for a scientist who wants to deepen and apply expertise in drug discovery and immunology focusing on cellular depletion via any available modalities. You will tackle challenging discovery questions and complex protein designs, contribute original ideas and champion innovative methods, and help develop a strong drug discovery mindset across the function.
- Purpose: Our work is driven by the goal of delivering better outcomes for patients with serious and challenging diseases. In this role, you will help advance novel therapeutics with the potential to achieve durable disease improvement beyond symptomatic treatment. Your contributions will support programme progression from concept to candidate nomination, influence translational strategy, and shape the future of our discovery portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- When appropriate, act as molecule lead on pipeline programmes, providing technical expertise and cross‑functional leadership as teams form around assets.
- Develop and deliver drug discovery strategy in alignment with AbbVie’s overall immunology strategy.
- Serve as a key lab‑focused scientist at the DJS-AbbVie Oxford site and ultimately act as a recognised scientific expert within the wider AbbVie R&D organisation in your specialist mechanism of action.
- Collaborate with colleagues across immunology discovery research, development sciences, clinical development, and precision medicine.
- Ensure high‑quality project planning through sound experimental design, early risk assessment and robust contingency planning.
- Identify and evaluate emerging scientific trends and translate relevant insights into functional objectives.
- Apply imagination and innovation to create and implement new or improved approaches and breakthrough ideas.
- Proactively share knowledge to build scientific capability within the team and foster a strong drug discovery mindset.
- Mentor junior colleagues and support their scientific development.
- Present scientific concepts and results to scientific and non‑scientific audiences, including senior stakeholders and external partners.
Qualifications – Essential Attributes
- Demonstrated experience across multiple drug discovery programmes with at least one proven example of a cell depletion modality.
- Education – BS, MS, PhD, or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific area.
- Demonstrated ability to function as a principal investigator, generating original technical ideas and development strategies.
- Creative and practical problem‑solving skills, with the ability to champion new technologies.
- Recognised as an expert in your discipline, internally and ideally externally.
- Strong publication, presentation, regulatory and/or patent record.
- Excellent scientific communication and presentation skills, including experience presenting at leading scientific conferences.
Qualifications – Desired Attributes
- Recognised expert in cellular therapies such as CAR‑T, CAR‑NK, CAR‑Treg, etc. OR recognised expert in complex antibody engineering including bispecific and novel formats.
- Strong background in translational biology.
About DJS-AbbVie
DJS‑AbbVie is part of AbbVie Immunology and focuses on advancing novel therapeutics to address serious and challenging diseases. Our work is driven by scientific excellence, collaboration and a commitment to delivering meaningful impact for patients. Working at DJS‑AbbVie offers the opportunity to join a dynamic and ambitious team, with exposure to a broad range of scientific challenges, close collaboration with experts across the wider organisation, and the chance to help shape the future of our discovery portfolio.
Additional Information
AbbVie is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Research Scientist I, Novel Therapeutics in Oxford
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Research Scientist I, Novel Therapeutics in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at AbbVie!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show AbbVie that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at AbbVie!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At AbbVie, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at AbbVie
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at AbbVie that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with AbbVie’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
