Program Overview:

To be successful in our goals as an organization, AbbVie needs outstanding individuals willing to challenge themselves to find the best solutions for our patients. The AbbVie Postdoc Program is one way we are doing just that. AbbVie Postdoctoral Fellows serve as technical experts who investigate, identify, develop, and optimize new methods / techniques to address critical project needs. Participants continuously seek to improve existing laboratory methods and processes, read and adapt literature to accomplish assignments, and demonstrate mastery of a broad range of experimental techniques and methods of data analysis.

The Postdoctoral Program is designed for true investigational and experimental research. Participants will be mentored by renowned industry scientists and collaborators at AbbVie and focus on delivering cutting-edge advancements in Discovery, Development Sciences, and BioPharma. This enriching training program offers a balance of structured learning and work experience which fosters a learning environment to advance individual development, and offers accessibility to high-level knowledge-building across the drug development continuum.

We are seeking scientists from key U.S.-based academic institutions within preferred areas of science for this unique 2-3 year assignment. Participants will build a solid career foundation in the pharmaceutical industry while building the AbbVie brand as an employer of choice for scientific talent.

Role Overview:

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join an academic-style environment within the Precision Medicine (PMed) organization, a team committed to driving translational research and clinical biomarker strategy for pre-clinical and clinical stage programs. The team studies cancer biology, discovers biomarkers, and validates mechanisms of action of different drugs in AbbVie’s innovative IO pipeline to ultimately inform clinical decisions including tumor indications, patient selection, and combinations. The Postdoctoral Fellow will leverage a robust and supportive support system to help guide research within the PMed Translational Oncology group and cross-functional interdisciplinary teams.

The role of the Postdoc is to perform cutting edge research aimed at understanding CD3-bispecific T-cell engagers that exhibit promising results in patients with hematological cancers and expanding potential in solid tumors. Specifically, this role will be focused on mechanisms of resistance as it relates to the induction of T-cell exhaustion.

Responsibilities:

• Design and execute experiments independently.
• Generate new research strategies, develop assays, and implement novel techniques, including functional genomics and novel/existing research techniques.
• Perform innovative in vivo/ex vivo/in vitro experiments, analyses, and data-interpretation to interrogate the function of CD3 bispecific molecules.
• Collaborate with functional and technical experts to facilitate scientific achievement.
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting.
• Effectively communicate hypotheses, work plans, and data to diverse audiences (in writing and verbally.)
• Resolve research hurdles by effectively utilizing available information in the literature and incorporating this into the project, applying technical expertise as needed.
• Apply broad technical expertise in tumor cell/immune cell biology to advance translational research.
• Demonstrate a high degree of responsibility in maintaining scientific standards and safe laboratory practices.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Oncology, Immunology, or related field.
• Knowledge in immunology research with demonstrated ability to perform and develop assays in vitro/ex vivo (immunoblotting, basic flow cytometry analysis/analytics, immune cell isolation, ELISA/MSD, CRISPR).
• Familiarity with syngeneic and genetically engineered animal models as well as in vitro tumor models; co-culture experiments is a plus.
• Willingness to learn cutting-edge technologies and challenging tasks.
• Ability to learn, understand, and master new areas of biology and experimental techniques.
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to articulate scientific rationale with clarity.
• Ability to think beyond boundaries and seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated scientific writing skills and strong verbal communication skills.
• Global mindset to thrive in a diverse culture and environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Record of scientific initiative and creativity in research or development activities.
• Experience with animal models focused on cancer immunology/immunotherapy.
• Computation and data analysis skills.
• Interest in developing leadership qualities to support various AbbVie initiatives.
• Experience with multidimensional flow cytometry.

Key Leadership Competencies:

• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross-functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance.
• Learns fast, grasps the "essence," and can change course quickly where indicated.
• Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
• Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
• Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation, and manages to reality.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At AbbVie, we value bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to develop new and innovative solutions for patients. As an equal opportunity employer we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines 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: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women’s health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.