Principal Research Scientist I, Tissue Material Sciences Fillers

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

The Principal Scientist I in the Tissue Materials Science group is responsible for directing research and/or project activities and professional development of a group of scientists within TMS by effectively mentoring, guiding and/or supervising scientific personnel. He/She/They independently conceive, execute and communicate novel multi-disciplinary research or development strategies that achieve project for the Fillers device franchise, including Juvéderm and Next Generation Dermal Fillers, pre-concept (early research) and new model development.  The focus of such studies will be to evaluate the interaction of current and future medical devices with cells and tissues for purposes of establishing device proof of concept, completing regulatory submission-related studies (ISO 10993), performing life cycle compliance-related activities, and developing scientific messaging for advertising/promotional support. This individual is expected to be a team leader and engage key stakeholders, including global strategic marketing, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, clinical development, and publication planning to successfully achieve project goals.  The individual serves as a lead scientist on his/her/their own project and contribute scientific insights into multiple other projects.

The Principal Research Scientist I may mentor/supervise a team of one or more direct reports and evaluate the performance of those individuals. Additionally, the individual is accountable for the effective performance of the team/individuals.

Key Duties / Responsibilities  

SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP

• Function as a principle investigator/lead, generating original technical ideas and research or development strategies.
• Represents TMS in cross functional teams to provide technical leadership for design, analysis and reporting for pre-concept or development programs and drive alignment with functional management.
• Authors publications, presentations and/or primary inventor of patents.
• Serve as a technical advisor and subject matter expert in his/her/their discipline.
• May be required to mentor/train/manage junior staff in a matrix based organization or as part of a project team.

SCIENTIFIC EXECUTION

• Demonstrate creative “out of the box” thinking to solve difficult problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals.
• Develops and executes in vitro, in vivo and tissue processing methods to support development of novel medical device/tissue products.
• Critically evaluate scientific or regulatory advances, competitive threats or business development opportunities.

SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

• Serves as a technical advisor and subject matter expert in his/her/their discipline to management and internal customers, driving alignment with cross-functional Asset teams and management for activities and deliverables.
• May contribute to publications, regulatory documents and inventions and present at external conferences.
• Provides regular updates to manager and project teams, contributes and prepares technical reports for the department and management as needed.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAM REPRESENTATION

• Critical team member in Asset Strategy, involved in developing project strategy
• Serves as TMS representative on Asset teams, Strategy teams and product development subteams, providing expertise in areas of tissue responses to Fillers.
• Supports Design Control activities as the non-clinical representative on development teams with minimal guidance.
• Organizes, schedules, and participates in project team meetings to define and schedule project activities and review completed tasks. 
• Communicates project status to supervisor, project team leader, other research managers, and R&D committees as appropriate.
• Prepares time and cost estimates of project activities for review by manager to achieve realistic project completion dates

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. and a minimum of 6+ years of industry experience OR Master’s degree and 12+ years of industry experience OR BS and 14+ years of industry experience;.  Degree in a related scientific or engineering discipline (cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology, bioengineering, or similar)
• Medical device experience or experience in a regulated environment is preferred.

• Experience in a medical device, pharmaceutical, or related setting with a proven record of success in conducting R&D projects
• Experience and working knowledge of medical device, drug and/or biologics, and combination product regulations (21 CFR 820, 21 CFR 210/211, 21 CFR Part 4, Biologics, etc.)
• Experience managing outsourced research activities
• Experience managing in vivo and in vitro research activities
• Working knowledge of biocompatibility testing requirements (ISO 10993)
• Experience conducting/managing GLP toxicity and biocompatibility studies is a plus
• Technical report writing proficiency in support of regulatory submissions
• Expertise in small / large animal model study performance and imaging
• Creativity, strong verbal and written communication skills, strong scientific leadership skills, ability to work effectively in independent and team settings, and acute attention to detail are essential skills for this position
• Able to multitask and work within timelines.
• Able to build strong relationships with peers and cross-functional partners to achieve higher performance.
• Proficiency in mentoring junior staff or serving as a senior technical advisor.

The employee must conduct their work activities in compliance with all AbbVie, Irvine internal requirements and with all applicable regulatory requirements, including knowledge of operating in a controlled environment per the requirements of 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485 and ISO 14971.  AbbVie, Irvine internal requirements include compliance with ethics, environmental health and safety, financial, human resources, and general business policies, requirements and objectives.

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. ​

• This job is eligible to participate in our long-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 Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s 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 https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html