Scientist I in Oxford

Company Description

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 key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit www.abbvie.com.

Job Description

At DJS Antibodies, we aspire to create the next generation of antibody therapeutics that improve the lives of patients with immunological diseases and cancers. Using our proprietary HEPTAD platform, we deliver therapeutic antibodies against complex and intractable membrane protein targets. As a biotech company within AbbVie, we combine the agility and scientific focus of a biotech with the reach of a global pharmaceutical company. We have developed several drug candidates and are expanding our portfolio to maximize patient impact. We are looking for an enthusiastic Cell Biologist to join our dynamic scientific team. This position offers a unique opportunity to begin or advance a career in an industry laboratory research environment, working on innovative projects and developing a variety of new skills. Applicants should have a track record of immunology research in industry or academia, be experimentalists capable of designing and executing experiments using techniques such as flow cytometry and imaging, and translate insights from the literature into actionable experiments.

Day‑to‑day, the role involves collaboration within project teams focused on different R&D stages. Strong communication, time‑management, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment are essential. At DJS, we foster innovators to perform drug‑discovery based on cutting‑edge science. The successful candidate will develop knowledge across mechanistic biology, pharmacology, and early discovery, gaining visibility across our portfolio from early discovery to clinical‑stage candidates. This role offers many career‑development opportunities, supported by our unique position within AbbVie, which provides access to a broader, world‑leading drug‑development pipeline.

Successful Applicant's Key Responsibilities

• Bring energy, enthusiasm and positivity to the company.
• Run cellular assays using cell lines and human primary cells to assess potential drug candidate efficacy, potency and MOA, and validate new targets.
• Perform critical laboratory experiments and analyses to support strategic decision‑making within project teams.
• Engage with the literature to better understand target biology and identify new assay methods.
• Develop skill set to become a go‑to expert for imaging‑based assays.
• Day‑to‑day laboratory management, including maintaining a safe and clean working environment and re‑ordering consumables.
• Mentor junior scientists from the benchside in new cell‑biology techniques and methodologies.
• Gather, analyse and present data from a variety of sources to the wider team and organization.
• Contribute ideas and suggestions to all DJS programs.
• Develop and refine DJS internal laboratory capabilities.
• Provide a critical and impartial review of self and peer‑generated data.
• Maintain laboratory experimental records.

Qualifications

Applicant’s required attributes

• A PhD in Immunology or related field, or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to drug discovery and drug development research.
• Passion for in‑vitro immunology and translational biology.
• Proven expertise and experience in Human primary cell culture and in‑vitro/ex‑vivo assays.
• Cell biology techniques including fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA (plate or bead‑based).

Desirable Skills

• Human primary cell antibody screening assay development (high and medium throughput).
• Human complex in‑vitro models such as organ‑on‑a‑chip or organoids.
• Experience working with myeloid cells and performing differentiation assays.
• Experience running in‑vitro assays to assess modalities such as antibody drug conjugates, antibody oligo conjugates or CAR‑T.
• Fluorescent imaging analysis and quantification (use of software such as Molecular Devices InCarta).
• Omics‑based approaches such as RNA‑seq.
• Experience working with in‑vivo rodent models.

Evidence of excellent organisational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to build effective working relationships, including with colleagues based in the US.
• Laboratory method development.
• Ability to work flexible hours when required.
• Proven written and oral communication ability.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Strong IT skills.
• Flexible and adaptable with a goal‑orientated mindset.

Additional Information

AbbVie is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, and serving our community. The company affirms its commitment to equal opportunity for all applicants (including Veterans and Disabled).