Research Jobs at AbbVie with Visa Sponsorship
Research jobs at AbbVie span drug discovery, preclinical development, and translational science across immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. The company has a consistent track record of sponsoring international researchers across multiple visa categories, making it a realistic target for scientists seeking long-term U.S. career paths in biopharma.
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About AbbVie
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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
For the Principal Research Scientist I position, we are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Process Analytical Technology (PAT) scientist to lead a small team within Analytical R&D. The candidate will establish and execute PAT strategies for synthetic molecule programs, supporting drug substance and drug product development from early development through validation, technology transfer, and manufacturing implementation. The role requires deep technical expertise in PAT method development, chemometrics, process understanding, and fit-for-purpose analytical control strategies.
The successful candidate will perform and direct laboratory and project activities, mentor and develop scientific personnel, and translate complex process and analytical data into clear development decisions. They will conceive, execute, and communicate multidisciplinary strategies that advance project and organizational goals, while serving as a senior PAT subject matter expert across multiple programs and initiatives.
A critical element of the role is strong integration with Analytical R&D project leads and cross-functional partners, particularly Process Engineering, Process Chemistry, Drug Product Development, manufacturing, Quality Assurance, CMC Regulatory, data science, and information technology. The scientist will define practical engagement models that bring PAT expertise into project planning at the appropriate stage and connect PAT outputs to process development, control strategy, validation, and technology-transfer decisions.
Responsibilities:
- Mentor, supervise, and develop a small team of PAT scientists; set priorities, allocate work, provide technical coaching, and ensure effective delivery across multiple development programs while also personally performing hands-on laboratory work.
- Create and maintain an integrated PAT strategy for synthetic molecule drug substance and drug product programs, including clear decision criteria for when and how PAT should be applied across the development lifecycle.
- Establish an effective operating model between PAT experts and Analytical R&D project leads, ensuring early engagement, aligned work packages, clear ownership, and timely translation of PAT results into project decisions.
- Lead PAT feasibility assessments, method and model development, robustness studies, validation, lifecycle management, and technology transfer for in-line, on-line, at-line, and off-line applications.
- Apply chemometrics and multivariate data analysis to develop, challenge, interpret, and maintain quantitative and qualitative models. Ensure models are scientifically sound, appropriately validated, and suitable for their intended use.
- Provide expert leadership in spectroscopic and process analytical techniques such as NIR, Raman, mid-IR/FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopy, particle and material-property measurements, and complementary process sensors.
- Lead or support deployment of on-line liquid chromatography for reaction monitoring, process consistency, impurity or product-quality measurements, and other fit-for-purpose drug substance or drug product applications.
- Integrate PAT measurements with process knowledge, critical process parameters, critical material attributes, and critical quality attributes to support process understanding and analytical control strategy development.
- Partner closely with Process Engineering, Process Chemistry, Drug Product Development, manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, automation, data science, and IT teams to design interfaces, data flows, system readiness, and sustainable implementation approaches.
- Design material-sparing and risk-based development approaches where appropriate, troubleshoot complex sampling, interface, instrumentation, data-quality, and model-performance issues, and identify practical mitigations.
- Communicate PAT strategy, scientific rationale, risks, and recommendations to technical teams and senior stakeholders through clear written documents, presentations, and decision-focused discussions.
- Generate new scientific proposals, evaluate emerging PAT and digital technologies, and champion innovations that improve development speed, scientific understanding, robustness, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure work complies with applicable safety, quality, data-integrity, regulatory, and AbbVie requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemometrics, or a closely related discipline, typically with a minimum of 14 years (BS), 12 years (MS), or 6 years (Ph.D.) of relevant industry experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in Process Analytical Technology within the pharmaceutical industry, including leadership of PAT strategy and method development across the development lifecycle.
- Strong hands-on experience with chemometrics, multivariate calibration, classification, experimental design, model validation, and model lifecycle management. Experience with software such as Unscrambler, PLS_Toolbox, SIMCA, MATLAB, Python, R, or other chemometric and data-analysis platforms is expected.
- Demonstrated experience developing and applying PAT in both drug substance and drug product environments. Experience across batch and continuous manufacturing is desirable.
- Experience with spectroscopic PAT method development, sampling-interface design, process monitoring, and transfer or implementation in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience developing, deploying, or supporting on-line UHPLC applications as part of a process monitoring or control strategy.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a small scientific team through planning, execution, prioritization, coaching, and delivery of technically complex work.
- Proven ability to build alignment and work effectively across Process Engineering, Process Chemistry, Drug Product Development, manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, data science, automation, and IT organizations.
- Working knowledge of pharmaceutical development, analytical control strategies, validation, technology transfer, data integrity, and relevant regulatory expectations for PAT applications.
- Excellent scientific problem-solving, technical writing, oral communication, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to convert complex data into clear recommendations and decisions.
- Ability to independently identify opportunities, adjust strategy as data emerge, and champion new technologies that advance project and organizational goals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience applying PAT to biologics or new modalities, including oligonucleotides, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), therapeutic peptides, or related complex products.
- Experience with PAT data-management systems, automation, advanced process control, or real-time release testing concepts.
- Experience authoring or contributing to PAT validation protocols, method procedures, technical reports, regulatory documentation, and manufacturing technology-transfer packages.
Additional Information
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 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
Company Description
About AbbVie
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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
For the Principal Research Scientist I position, we are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Process Analytical Technology (PAT) scientist to lead a small team within Analytical R&D. The candidate will establish and execute PAT strategies for synthetic molecule programs, supporting drug substance and drug product development from early development through validation, technology transfer, and manufacturing implementation. The role requires deep technical expertise in PAT method development, chemometrics, process understanding, and fit-for-purpose analytical control strategies.
The successful candidate will perform and direct laboratory and project activities, mentor and develop scientific personnel, and translate complex process and analytical data into clear development decisions. They will conceive, execute, and communicate multidisciplinary strategies that advance project and organizational goals, while serving as a senior PAT subject matter expert across multiple programs and initiatives.
A critical element of the role is strong integration with Analytical R&D project leads and cross-functional partners, particularly Process Engineering, Process Chemistry, Drug Product Development, manufacturing, Quality Assurance, CMC Regulatory, data science, and information technology. The scientist will define practical engagement models that bring PAT expertise into project planning at the appropriate stage and connect PAT outputs to process development, control strategy, validation, and technology-transfer decisions.
Responsibilities:
- Mentor, supervise, and develop a small team of PAT scientists; set priorities, allocate work, provide technical coaching, and ensure effective delivery across multiple development programs while also personally performing hands-on laboratory work.
- Create and maintain an integrated PAT strategy for synthetic molecule drug substance and drug product programs, including clear decision criteria for when and how PAT should be applied across the development lifecycle.
- Establish an effective operating model between PAT experts and Analytical R&D project leads, ensuring early engagement, aligned work packages, clear ownership, and timely translation of PAT results into project decisions.
- Lead PAT feasibility assessments, method and model development, robustness studies, validation, lifecycle management, and technology transfer for in-line, on-line, at-line, and off-line applications.
- Apply chemometrics and multivariate data analysis to develop, challenge, interpret, and maintain quantitative and qualitative models. Ensure models are scientifically sound, appropriately validated, and suitable for their intended use.
- Provide expert leadership in spectroscopic and process analytical techniques such as NIR, Raman, mid-IR/FTIR, UV-visible spectroscopy, particle and material-property measurements, and complementary process sensors.
- Lead or support deployment of on-line liquid chromatography for reaction monitoring, process consistency, impurity or product-quality measurements, and other fit-for-purpose drug substance or drug product applications.
- Integrate PAT measurements with process knowledge, critical process parameters, critical material attributes, and critical quality attributes to support process understanding and analytical control strategy development.
- Partner closely with Process Engineering, Process Chemistry, Drug Product Development, manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, automation, data science, and IT teams to design interfaces, data flows, system readiness, and sustainable implementation approaches.
- Design material-sparing and risk-based development approaches where appropriate, troubleshoot complex sampling, interface, instrumentation, data-quality, and model-performance issues, and identify practical mitigations.
- Communicate PAT strategy, scientific rationale, risks, and recommendations to technical teams and senior stakeholders through clear written documents, presentations, and decision-focused discussions.
- Generate new scientific proposals, evaluate emerging PAT and digital technologies, and champion innovations that improve development speed, scientific understanding, robustness, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure work complies with applicable safety, quality, data-integrity, regulatory, and AbbVie requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemometrics, or a closely related discipline, typically with a minimum of 14 years (BS), 12 years (MS), or 6 years (Ph.D.) of relevant industry experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in Process Analytical Technology within the pharmaceutical industry, including leadership of PAT strategy and method development across the development lifecycle.
- Strong hands-on experience with chemometrics, multivariate calibration, classification, experimental design, model validation, and model lifecycle management. Experience with software such as Unscrambler, PLS_Toolbox, SIMCA, MATLAB, Python, R, or other chemometric and data-analysis platforms is expected.
- Demonstrated experience developing and applying PAT in both drug substance and drug product environments. Experience across batch and continuous manufacturing is desirable.
- Experience with spectroscopic PAT method development, sampling-interface design, process monitoring, and transfer or implementation in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience developing, deploying, or supporting on-line UHPLC applications as part of a process monitoring or control strategy.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a small scientific team through planning, execution, prioritization, coaching, and delivery of technically complex work.
- Proven ability to build alignment and work effectively across Process Engineering, Process Chemistry, Drug Product Development, manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, data science, automation, and IT organizations.
- Working knowledge of pharmaceutical development, analytical control strategies, validation, technology transfer, data integrity, and relevant regulatory expectations for PAT applications.
- Excellent scientific problem-solving, technical writing, oral communication, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to convert complex data into clear recommendations and decisions.
- Ability to independently identify opportunities, adjust strategy as data emerge, and champion new technologies that advance project and organizational goals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience applying PAT to biologics or new modalities, including oligonucleotides, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), therapeutic peptides, or related complex products.
- Experience with PAT data-management systems, automation, advanced process control, or real-time release testing concepts.
- Experience authoring or contributing to PAT validation protocols, method procedures, technical reports, regulatory documentation, and manufacturing technology-transfer packages.
Additional Information
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 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
See all 165+ Research Jobs at AbbVie
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Jobs at AbbVie.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Jobs at AbbVie
Align your publications to AbbVie's pipeline
AbbVie's Research function is organized around therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. Framing your published work and CV around those specific disease areas signals direct fit before you even reach a recruiter.
Confirm your degree field supports the role
H-1B specialty occupation requires your degree to match the specific Research position, not just science broadly. A computational biology role requires a degree in that field or a closely related one. A mismatch can trigger a Request for Evidence from USCIS.
Target roles with a lab or functional lead listed
AbbVie Research postings that name a specific research unit or functional group tend to reflect active headcount needs. Positions without a clear functional home are often exploratory pipelines and may move more slowly through the offer and sponsorship process.
Prepare documentation before your offer stage
Once AbbVie extends an offer, immigration counsel will need your degree transcripts, credential evaluations for foreign degrees, and a current CV. Having these ready cuts weeks off the time between offer acceptance and petition filing.
Understand the PERM timeline if you want a Green Card
AbbVie sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 green cards for Research roles, but PERM labor certification with DOL typically takes 12 to 18 months before the I-140 petition can even be filed. Factor this into your career planning early.
Search AbbVie Research roles on Migrate Mate
Finding open Research positions at AbbVie that actively list visa sponsorship saves time when you're on OPT or a tight timeline. Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa type and company, so you can see AbbVie's current sponsorship-eligible Research openings directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AbbVie sponsor H-1B visas for Research roles?
Yes, AbbVie sponsors H-1B visas for Research positions. The role must qualify as a specialty occupation under USCIS standards, meaning a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field is normally required for the position. Research roles in drug discovery, translational science, and preclinical development typically meet this standard, provided your degree field aligns with the specific job.
Which visa types does AbbVie commonly sponsor for Research positions?
AbbVie sponsors a broad range of visa categories for Research roles, including H-1B, H-1B1 visa for Chilean and Singaporean nationals, E-3 visa for Australian nationals, TN visa for Canadian and Mexican nationals, F-1 OPT and CPT for current students, J-1 visa for exchange visitors, and employment-based Green Cards through the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. The right category depends on your nationality, degree level, and career stage.
What qualifications does AbbVie expect for sponsored Research roles?
Most Research positions at AbbVie require at least a master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant life sciences discipline such as biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, or a related field. Industry experience in a biopharma or biotech setting is valued, and publications or demonstrated expertise in one of AbbVie's core therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, or neuroscience, strengthens a candidacy considerably.
How do I apply for Research jobs at AbbVie?
Applications go through AbbVie's careers portal, where Research roles are listed by function and location. Tailoring your application to the specific therapeutic area and research unit listed in the posting improves your visibility in their process. You can also browse AbbVie's current sponsorship-eligible Research openings on Migrate Mate, which filters roles by visa type so you can focus on positions relevant to your immigration situation.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Research role at AbbVie?
Timeline depends on the visa type. H-1B cap-subject petitions require lottery selection in March for an October 1 start date, so planning at least six months ahead is essential. E-3 and TN petitions can move faster, often within four to eight weeks of an accepted offer. F-1 OPT extensions and J-1 transitions have their own USCIS or program sponsor timelines. AbbVie's immigration counsel manages filings, but you should flag your visa status early in the interview process.