Principal Research Scientist II - AI/ML Partnerships, Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine

Role Summary

The Associate Director of Biotherapeutics & Genetic Medicine (BGM) AI/ML partnerships will be a key leader in driving AbbVie's AI/ML external strategy. This role requires an energetic strategic thinker, attuned to the innovation landscape, with deep, technical AI/ML experience in biopharma, who can leverage their background to represent BGM’s strategic priorities in external engagements. This position reports to the Head of AI/ML in BGM and will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This role is pivotal in driving our organization towards becoming a leader in the application of AI/ML, ensuring that AI/ML initiatives align with our overarching business objectives, delivering tangible business value and accelerating our promise to patients.

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of AbbVie’s biotherapeutics discovery processes and drug program pipeline and use that as a foundation to co-develop and champion an external AI/ML strategy that is aligned with key areas of impact, over both long- and short-term horizons.
• Stay at the forefront of AI/ML innovation, technologies, and best practices, developing a bimonthly competitive intelligence report, in coordination with other teams that develop competitive intelligence across AbbVie, e.g., AI Strategy & Partnerships, Commercial Digital, R&D, BTS, and Corporate Strategy.
• Collaborate with BGM’s internal AI/ML innovation team to conduct technical due diligence and detailed benchmarking of external partner AI/ML platforms with applicability to AbbVie’s BGM strategy.
• Collaborate across the company (including Technology Licensing & Collaboration, Search & Evaluation, Business Development & Acquisitions, etc.) to ensure collaboration agreements are aligned with the value proposition for BGM.
• Manage and coordinate collaborations with external partners, document key activities and drive projects towards impact.
• Communicate the impact of AI/ML partnerships to AbbVie’s pipeline both internally at governance bodies and, where appropriate, externally, to the AI/ML community through conference presentations.
• Mentor leaders and team members, creating a pipeline of AI/ML champions.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biology, or related discipline with typically 16+ (BS) years, 14+ (MS) years, or 8+ (PhD) years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with senior leaders and build trust-based partnerships to deliver results and influence change.
• Experience with deep technical diligence on machine learning capabilities.
• Prior experience in external partnerships and competitive landscape at a major pharma company or biotechnology organization.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and comfort and ability to create structure from ambiguity.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder-management skills with a proven ability to bridge technical and business perspectives.
• Hiring, people management, and career development experience.

Education

• Not specified beyond the degree requirements above.