Director, Computational HitGen / LeadGen Team Lead
AbbVie
August 06, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Overview:
- Lead AbbVie’s computational HitGen/LeadGen (HGLG) team reporting to the Head of Computational Drug Discovery (CDD), enabling close collaboration with drug discovery partners.
- Define how AbbVie leverages AI-native drug discovery across the small-molecule portfolio; deliver programs across the small-molecule drug discovery lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic thought leadership to amplify CDD impact:
- Develop cutting-edge methods/workflows to predict binding affinities and pharmacological properties (e.g., PK) and to rapidly sample enumerated and AI-generated chemical spaces.
- Partner with small-molecule leadership to identify/address gaps for computational predictions.
- Collaborate with R&D and Information Research to advance programs and ensure optimal implementation of computational capabilities.
- Lead HGLG program-level activities:
- Deliver computational tools/workflows to achieve hit/lead criteria; align with organizational and AI-native drug-discovery strategies.
- Guide benchmarking experiments to evaluate model performance and domain of applicability.
- Establish processes for selecting approaches best suited to project needs.
- Build CDD reputation for impact:
- Provide expert advice/knowledge to direct reports, peers, and senior management.
- Present program updates and research strategies to internal leaders and partners.
- Publish/disclose scientific findings and maintain external scientific presence.
Qualifications:
- BS/MS/PhD in a science-related field (typically >18/16/10 years related experience, respectively).
- Demonstrated coaching/mentoring and people management.
- Track record setting/driving strategy while leading globally.
- Knowledge/experience in modern computational drug-discovery approaches.
- Excellent communication; strong analytical/problem-solving and data-driven decision making.
- Proven leadership and ability to collaborate across diverse groups; inclusive leadership.
Benefits (explicitly stated):
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); eligibility for long-term incentive programs.
- Lead AbbVie’s computational HitGen/LeadGen (HGLG) team reporting to the Head of Computational Drug Discovery (CDD), enabling close collaboration with drug discovery partners.
- Define how AbbVie leverages AI-native drug discovery across the small-molecule portfolio; deliver programs across the small-molecule drug discovery lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic thought leadership to amplify CDD impact:
- Develop cutting-edge methods/workflows to predict binding affinities and pharmacological properties (e.g., PK) and to rapidly sample enumerated and AI-generated chemical spaces.
- Partner with small-molecule leadership to identify/address gaps for computational predictions.
- Collaborate with R&D and Information Research to advance programs and ensure optimal implementation of computational capabilities.
- Lead HGLG program-level activities:
- Deliver computational tools/workflows to achieve hit/lead criteria; align with organizational and AI-native drug-discovery strategies.
- Guide benchmarking experiments to evaluate model performance and domain of applicability.
- Establish processes for selecting approaches best suited to project needs.
- Build CDD reputation for impact:
- Provide expert advice/knowledge to direct reports, peers, and senior management.
- Present program updates and research strategies to internal leaders and partners.
- Publish/disclose scientific findings and maintain external scientific presence.
Qualifications:
- BS/MS/PhD in a science-related field (typically >18/16/10 years related experience, respectively).
- Demonstrated coaching/mentoring and people management.
- Track record setting/driving strategy while leading globally.
- Knowledge/experience in modern computational drug-discovery approaches.
- Excellent communication; strong analytical/problem-solving and data-driven decision making.
- Proven leadership and ability to collaborate across diverse groups; inclusive leadership.
Benefits (explicitly stated):
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); eligibility for long-term incentive programs.