Principal Research Scientist I, Depression Discovery
AbbVie
August 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
$124,500 - $236,500 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated scientist to join our Pharmacology and Cell Biology group within Discovery Psychiatry. The incumbent will oversee depression cell-based models, plan for future capabilities expansion, and may lead drug discovery efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop strategy and oversee implementation of internal depression drug development models, especially in vitro iPSC-based models
- Identify/solve technical problems independently; implement new assays/workflows; conceive and implement innovative research ideas
- Supervise junior scientists and provide scientific/technical leadership for experiment design and execution; accountable for team development and performance
- Serve as biology lead for current or future drug discovery projects; coordinate cross-functional activities and represent the team at governance forums from Hit Generation through Candidate Nomination
- Provide input into identification and selection of new depression-related targets
- Collaborate with colleagues at AbbVie and external sites
- Present work internally and at internal/external conferences; may author/co-author peer-reviewed papers or patents
- Ensure consistency and quality of technical reports
Qualifications:
- MS or PhD in Neuroscience, Biological Sciences, Pharmacology, or related field with typically 14+ (BS), 12+ (MS), or 6+ (PhD) years in industry and/or academia
- Strong background in psychiatry research and drug development, especially depression
- Track record progressing projects through preclinical discovery into early development
- Experience in multidisciplinary teams; managing direct reports (performance evaluations, development)
- Excellent organizational skills; manage multiple projects
- Strong collaboration in cross-functional matrix environments
- Excellent verbal and written communication; goal-oriented, “can-do” attitude
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in psychedelics research and drug discovery
- Experience pioneering novel in vitro iPSC-based models for psychiatry research
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated scientist to join our Pharmacology and Cell Biology group within Discovery Psychiatry. The incumbent will oversee depression cell-based models, plan for future capabilities expansion, and may lead drug discovery efforts.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop strategy and oversee implementation of internal depression drug development models, especially in vitro iPSC-based models
- Identify/solve technical problems independently; implement new assays/workflows; conceive and implement innovative research ideas
- Supervise junior scientists and provide scientific/technical leadership for experiment design and execution; accountable for team development and performance
- Serve as biology lead for current or future drug discovery projects; coordinate cross-functional activities and represent the team at governance forums from Hit Generation through Candidate Nomination
- Provide input into identification and selection of new depression-related targets
- Collaborate with colleagues at AbbVie and external sites
- Present work internally and at internal/external conferences; may author/co-author peer-reviewed papers or patents
- Ensure consistency and quality of technical reports
Qualifications:
- MS or PhD in Neuroscience, Biological Sciences, Pharmacology, or related field with typically 14+ (BS), 12+ (MS), or 6+ (PhD) years in industry and/or academia
- Strong background in psychiatry research and drug development, especially depression
- Track record progressing projects through preclinical discovery into early development
- Experience in multidisciplinary teams; managing direct reports (performance evaluations, development)
- Excellent organizational skills; manage multiple projects
- Strong collaboration in cross-functional matrix environments
- Excellent verbal and written communication; goal-oriented, “can-do” attitude
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in psychedelics research and drug discovery
- Experience pioneering novel in vitro iPSC-based models for psychiatry research