Postdoctoral Fellow, Investigative and Computational Toxicology

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 AbbVies industry-leading biopharmaceutical pipeline.

Role Overview

The postdoctoral fellow will be integrated into a cross-functional team based within Investigative Toxicology and Pathology with key collaborations through AbbVies Genomics Research Center. The aim of the project is to generate complex multi-modal datasets using human-induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into cardiomyocytes and lung alveolar cells. This includes functional morphological and transcriptomic data that will be integrated with clinical metadata and whole-genome data for developing machine learning models to identify and predict patient factors driving toxicity response and sensitivity.

This research will use cutting-edge techniques leveraging automation and high-throughput methods to generate high-quality and large datasets providing novel insights into improving predictability of in vitro assays to inform on patient safety in clinical trials for novel therapeutics. The postdoc would have access to and leverage emergent science from real-world patient safety data and extensive expertise of safety scientists to drive high impact publications and establish methods that would have lasting impact in the pharmaceutical industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design validate and implement new cell-based experiments to effectively and efficiently address the needs of the postdoc project
• Support evaluation of cell-based technologies including image analysis transcriptomics and biomarker analysis
• Collaborate with functional and technical experts to facilitate scientific achievement
• Maintain a high level of productivity in the laboratory to generate large datasets using high throughput methods
• Effectively write and communicate research materials to collaborators and teams
• Resolve research hurdles by effectively collaborating and utilizing available information and technical expertise
• Proactively seek out new information in the literature and incorporate this into individual projects as well as the overall program
• Creatively integrate and align disparate datasets and provide scientific guidance for computational modeling of the data
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present work at scientific conferences aligned with business objectives
• Demonstrate a high degree of responsibility in maintaining scientific standards and safe laboratory practices

Qualifications :

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Toxicology Pharmacology Pathology or related field (summer and fall graduates are also welcome to apply)
• Record of scientific initiative and creativity in research or development activities
• Capable of independently designing and executing experiments interpreting data and identifying appropriate follow-up strategies. Comfort with production analysis and interpretation of large multi-modal datasets
• Hands-on experience with cell culture and development of cell-based assays including imaging
• Excellent project management skills. Ability to multitask and work within timelines
• 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

• Hands-on experience in differentiation and culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells strongly preferred
• Familiarity with interpretation of genomic and transcriptomic datasets
• Experience with high-throughput or automated cell-based assays
• Familiarity with computational data analysis methods
• Understanding of cellular biology and pharmacology

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 Companys sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Companys 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  & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation click here to learn more:

Work :

No