Principal Research Scientist I – CAR-T Biology, Immuno-Oncology Discovery

Role Summary

Principal Research Scientist I – CAR-T Biology, Immuno-Oncology Discovery

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement research strategies for innovative CAR-T therapies, ranging from the selection of CAR targets, binders, & transgenes to the establishment of biologically relevant preclinical model systems to support candidate advancement
• Oversee CAR-T project execution, ensuring alignment with therapeutic hypotheses, available datasets, and the competitive landscape.
• Lead and mentor a team of scientists in developing CAR-T candidates and experimental systems for preclinical assessment.
• Collaborate with biotherapeutics and genetic medicine stakeholders to address key CAR-T therapeutic challenges through preclinical composition design.
• Represent project teams by communicating scientific strategy, progress, and risk assessment to stakeholders.
• Establish and manage workplans with stakeholders to ensure timely achievement of project milestones.
• Drive project progress from inception through preclinical stages, ensuring timely delivery of team and individual objectives.
• Enhance AbbVie’s reputation by presenting research findings and innovative ideas to stakeholders and collaborators.
• Initiate CAR-T biology discovery initiatives aligned with the organization’s vision and strategic

Qualifications

Scientific 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 CAR-T, genetic medicine, or immuno-oncology.
• Deep subject matter expertise in CAR-T biology, including genetic medicine approaches, novel biological systems, and assay development for candidate generation and assessment.
• Extensive experience in assay development and leading preclinical cell therapy research teams.
• Preferably experienced with in situ/in vivo delivery platforms for CAR-T therapies.
• Demonstrated proficiency in T cell biology, immuno-oncology, flow cytometry, and functional assay design
• Expertise in data analysis and mining large datasets is a plus.

Leadership attributes:

• Proven ability to manage and mentor both PhD and non-PhD scientists, fostering independent research and professional growth.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional discovery teams from program inception to candidate selection.
• Exceptional project management and multitasking skills; adept at setting and managing timelines for self and team.
• Openness to new ideas, nurturing innovation while balancing practical execution.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal and cross-functional stakeholders to create a high-performance environment.
• Proactive ownership of challenges, commitment to finding innovative solutions, and a drive to go beyond the status quo.
• Persistent and resilient in overcoming obstacles to achieve project milestones.