Principal Research Scientist II - Cell Depletion Team Lead in Oxford

Role Focus: Lead a team of 5+ drug discovery scientists to deliver key translational pharmacodynamic data packages and drug candidates to lead programs from conception to IND.

Location: Oxford, UK

Job Summary: At DJS‑AbbVie, we are committed to advancing new therapeutics and translating novel immunological science into innovative R&D programmes. As a UK‑based R&D hub within AbbVie Immunology, we combine the agility, scientific focus and entrepreneurial spirit of a specialist discovery team with the scale, resources and ambition of a global pharmaceutical company. We are now entering an exciting phase of portfolio progression and team growth in Oxford and are seeking an accomplished drug hunter to join our team as this role. The successful candidate will play a critical role in translating novel immunology into impactful drug discovery and development programmes, working across AbbVie Immunology disease areas and collaborating closely with colleagues across discovery and development.

In this role you will lead a team of scientists, including colleagues from academic and industry research backgrounds, to develop and deliver a portfolio of novel cell depletion programs. You will be expected to model drug hunter scientific excellence while actively building capability and scientific depth across the group. You will also act as a biology or molecule lead on pipeline programmes, particularly those at later stages, providing cross‑functional leadership as teams form around assets. Over time you will help shape a coherent portfolio of molecules with cell depletion mechanism of actions and strengthen learnings across assets and stages of development.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver drug discovery strategy in alignment with immunology strategy and key scientific objectives.
• Lead a team of 5+ direct reports, ranging from entry level to Principal Scientist level.
• Build scientific capability within the team and foster a strong drug discovery mindset.
• Develop strong working relationships with key partner functions, including target identification and evaluation and disease discovery teams.
• Act as biology or molecule lead on pipeline programmes, providing cross‑functional leadership as teams form around assets.
• Collaborate with colleagues across immunology discovery research, clinical development, development sciences and precision medicine.
• Serve as a recognised scientific expert within the organisation in your specialist mechanism of action.
• Proactively share knowledge, mentor colleagues and support the development of functional capability.
• 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.
• Present scientific concepts and results to scientific and non‑scientific audiences, including senior stakeholders and external partners.

Qualifications:

• Experience across multiple drug discovery programmes, including at least one programme taken from early discovery to GLP tox start with a depletion modality.
• Bachelor’s degree in a science‑related field with typically 16+ years of relevant experience.
• Master’s degree or PharmD with typically 14+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven ability to innovate and deliver new or improved lead and candidate molecules.
• Strong relationship‑building skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external collaborators.
• Recognised as an expert in your discipline, internally and ideally externally.
• Excellent scientific communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence across functions and levels.
• BS/MS or PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific area.

Equal Opportunity Employer: AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.