Principal Research Scientist I, Peptide Medicinal Chemist

  • AbbVie
  • North Chicago, Illinois
  • Full Time

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

Small Molecular Therapeutics and Platform Technologies (SMTPT) within Discovery Research seeks an accomplished scientist to lead a team of medicinal chemists within the Global Medicinal Chemistry (GMEC) organization. GMEC is committed to delivering first and best-in-class small molecules in conventional and unconventional drug-like space with the potential to improve human health. The Principal Research Scientist I/Senior Scientist II will lead a team of chemists designing and synthesizing peptides (or other small molecule modalities) aimed at identifying and advancing promising low dose leads (responsibility for lead generation through candidate nomination).

She/He/They will be responsible for managing a diverse team of scientists who design and synthesize peptide drug candidates for novel targets throughout AbbVies drug discovery pipeline. She/He/They may serve as Chemistry Lead for some of these efforts. She/He/They will also be a strong synthetic chemist who has demonstrated high productivity in synthesizing complex organic molecules including peptides. She/He/They and team will develop novel medicinal chemistry strategies and execute multiparametric optimization(s) of drug candidate properties in a highly collaborative environment aimed at accelerating the delivery of a sustainable pipeline of first in class/breakthrough peptide drug candidates with transformative potential.

The candidate will have experience with strategic planning, and leadership of medicinal chemistry teams as well as working with cross-functional and matrixed teams within the AbbVie therapeutic areas. The candidate will have a strong expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, including an appreciation of modern computational and experimental tools, multidisciplinary inputs, and synthetic technologies needed to develop low dose peptide drug candidates. The ideal candidate will be able to lead by influence in a matrix environment and maintain a productive, collaborative, and inclusive environment. Strong communication skills are essential as the candidate must be able to tailor interactions with technical teams and represent the medicinal chemistry advances to AbbVie leadership.

Key responsibilities:

  • Drive performance by leading team members in the design and synthesis of low dose peptide drug candidates and the development of stage-appropriate progression funnels for their identification
  • Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory setting
  • As programs advance, work with key stakeholders in the Development sciences core team to address and reduce risks in collaboration to drive towards candidate nomination
  • Manage chemistry team activities and professional development of a team of scientists through effective mentoring, guidance, and supervision
  • Advance scientific expertise within the function and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to advance drug candidates from research to development
  • Ensure the quality and effectiveness of key project results through sound medicinal chemistry design, early risk assessments, and implementation of fallback strategies
  • Provide expert advice and share knowledge with direct reports, peers, and senior management
  • Provide guidance to develop both the skills and the careers of direct reports.
  • Train and mentor functional colleagues and assess current and emerging business challenges to achieve functional goals
  • Identify and integrate emerging scientific trends from internal and external sources into functional objectives
  • Present program updates and research strategies to functional and non-functional leaders as well as potential and existing partners
  • Maintain awareness of emerging literature and science in the field and author scientific disclosures/publications
  • Maintain scientific presence outside AbbVie with appropriate publication and conference abstract submission highlighting innovative medicinal chemistry learnings

Significant Work Activities - Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8-hour day)

Qualifications
  • BS or equivalent education and extensive, Typically, 14+ years of experience; MS or equivalent education with typically 12+ years of experience; PhD with typically 6+ years of experience in area or scientific area of discipline.
  • Proven track record of productivity in the laboratory setting
  • Experience in peptide synthesis
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in modern medicinal chemistry
  • Highly organized and self-directed, experience leading medicinal chemistry teams
  • Excellent written and verbal communication is required as well as critical evaluation and data-driven decision making
  • Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of the needs of others
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse groups within the organization and external partners
  • Proven chemistry team leadership and management abilities, including experience mentoring, guiding, supervising, and developing early career chemists
  • Ability to create an inclusive environment where diverse ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds are valued; willingness and ability to lead inclusively and demonstrate a commitment to listen and consider all points of view

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, andwemay ultimatelypay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in thefuture.

  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.

  • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentiveprograms.

  • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentiveprograms

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay be modified at the Companys sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable 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.

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Job ID: 482664279
Originally Posted on: 6/25/2025

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