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 several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Job Description

Program Overview

AbbVie needs outstanding individuals willing to challenge themselves to find the best solutions for our patients. The AbbVie Postdoctoral Program is one way we are doing just that. AbbVie Postdoctoral Fellows serve as technical experts who investigate, develop, and optimize new methods and techniques to address critical project or functional area needs. Participants will improve existing or develop new laboratory methods and processes, read and adapt literature to accomplish assignments, and should have mastery of a range of experimental techniques and data analysis specific to their area of expertise.

The Postdoctoral Program supports investigational and experimental research where publication is an important component. Participants will be mentored by renowned industry scientists and collaborators at AbbVie and focus on delivering cutting-edge advancements in Discovery, Development Sciences, and Aesthetics which includes fields such as chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical science, and computational information sciences. This enriching training program offers a balance of supervised investigation and work experience in a learning environment that will expose the participant to activities across the drug development process.

We are seeking scientists from U.S.-based academic institutions who can be matched to projects within their area of scientific expertise for this unique 2-3-year assignment. Applicants who are awarded a postdoctoral position will have the opportunity to build a solid career foundation in the pharmaceutical industry while contributing to advancing human health through AbbVie’s industry-leading biopharmaceutical pipeline.

Role Overview

The postdoctoral fellow will work in the In vivo Pharmacology group within the Oncology Discovery Research Organization at the AbbVie Bay Area site in South San Francisco, CA. The ideal candidate will have experience performing in vivo biodistribution imaging to apply to an exciting project investigating antibody penetration in heterogenous tumor models. The postdoc will work closely with in vivo imaging colleagues and the Quantitative Translational ADME Sciences group to coordinate experimentation and data collection contributing to development of a mathematical model describing tumor penetration. Additional collaborations with colleagues in biology, pathology, biologics generation, and other functions will support the project. The project will build upon existing approaches to develop antibodies with improved tumor uptake in more patient-relevant tumor models, and ultimately, more durable efficacy for patients. AbbVie is highly invested in antibody-based therapies, including bispecifics, antibody-drug conjugates, and other tumor- or immune-targeting antibodies. The postdoc’s work has great potential to impact Oncology as well as other therapeutic disease areas.

The AbbVie Bay Area site has a spacious vivarium with cutting-edge in vivo imaging instrumentation, including bioluminescence/fluorescent imaging, ultrasound imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. If the project warrants, the postdoc will have access to other in vivo imaging technologies at the AbbVie Lake County or Worcester sites. The postdoc will also have access to wet-lab space to perform any supporting in vitro experimentation. With cross-collaboration across various sites and functions, the postdoc will be able to network and experience the teamwork and efficient, collaborative process of an industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and characterize new heterogeneous tumor models
• Coordinate antibody reagent design strategies with biologics colleagues
• Perform and analyze in vivo biodistribution kinetics for various fluorophore-labeled antibodies using in vivo fluorescent imaging
• Correlate tumor penetration data with functional readouts such as efficacy
• Collect tissues and coordinate ex vivo analyses with various groups
• Generate new ideas to bolster the project’s success using literature or experience
• Collaborate with functional and technical experts to facilitate project support
• Closely collaborate with QTAS for mathematical model development
• Work with mentors and leaders to apply project learnings to company pipeline
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting
• Effectively write and communicate project results in meeting(s), presentation(s), and publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals
• Resolve research hurdles by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise
• Demonstrate a high degree of responsibility and quality in maintaining scientific standards and safe laboratory practices

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacology, or other related field (summer and fall graduates are also welcome to apply)
• Hands-on experience with in vivo (mouse) imaging study design and execution
• Broad skills in in vivo mouse __ experimentation, including handling, dosing, blood sampling, and necropsy
• Record of scientific initiative and creativity in in vivo imaging focused on biodistribution of agents
• Capable of independently designing and executing experiments, interpreting data, and identifying appropriate follow-up strategies
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to resolve key project hurdles and assumptions by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise
• Demonstrated scientific writing skills and strong verbal communication skills
• Global mindset to thrive in a diverse culture and environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Tumor model development and tumor measurement experience
• Fluorescent imaging for biodistribution
• Imaging data analysis
• Working knowledge of pharmacokinetic, tissue penetration, and binding site barrier concepts

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

Candidates progressing to the final round of the interview process will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation (including one from the Thesis Advisor) and a letter of intent to pursue the postdoctoral position.

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 of this 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 any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and 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.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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.