Research Scientist Jobs at AbbVie with Visa Sponsorship
AbbVie hires Research Scientists across therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and neuroscience, and the company has a consistent track record of sponsoring work visas for this function. If you're pursuing a research career in biopharma, AbbVie is an employer worth targeting early.
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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
Position Overview:
AbbVie’s Immunology Discovery Research organization seeks an impactful scientific leader to manage pioneering research in Rheumatology. This role centers around strong people leadership—mentoring, growing, and developing a diverse scientific team of both junior and senior scientists (5+ direct reports)—and driving high-level drug discovery from target identification through preclinical development and first-in-human studies. The Senior Principal Research Scientist will lead a team of Discovery scientists in the Rheumatology team to champion in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, including strategic PKPD assessment, to guide the characterization and optimization of new therapeutics. In addition to a robust immunology background, candidates will leverage deep expertise steering cross-functional, matrixed teams and collaborative external partnerships to advance innovative, patient-centric discovery programs.
The individual will:
- Provide scientific guidance and set direction for assay development, risk management, and research productivity.
- Ensure high-quality experimental design, incorporating early risk assessments and contingency planning.
- Foster cross-functional engagement across internal and external groups, including Chemistry, Biotherapeutics, Genetic Medicine, Precision Medicine, Clinical Development, and outside collaborations.
- Integrate emerging scientific trends and patient-derived data into strategies to identify new therapeutic targets, especially for underserved populations.
- Demonstrates exceptional ability to lead within a highly matrixed environment, effectively managing a team engaged across multiple programs and projects.
- Demonstrates exceptional strategic thinking by developing and executing robust research and drug discovery strategies that align with organizational objectives and drive innovation in autoimmune disease research.
- Actively participate in shaping overall disease area and target identification strategies, impacting the research group’s long-term vision and priorities.
- Communicate research progress and scientific direction to executive stakeholders.
- Champion mentorship and inclusive team culture, upholding AbbVie’s corporate standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing research team (5+ direct reports), ensuring their professional growth across all career stages.
- Oversee the planning and execution of in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies, including the development and application of innovative assays and PKPD assessments.
- Direct drug discovery programs, driving progression from early-stage conception to clinical candidate selection through strategic leadership and collaboration.
- Devise and implement research strategies that address critical scientific objectives and adapt to new internal and external scientific trends.
- Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and with external research partners to accelerate program advancement.
- Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies and maintain study quality via robust experimental design, data analysis, and early contingency planning.
- Promote knowledge sharing by authoring publications and presenting to cross-functional and executive leadership as well as external partners.
- Mentor and train direct reports, fostering an environment that supports diversity, inclusion, and ongoing career development.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field with 16 years of related work; Master’s Degree Science or PharmD with 14 years of related work; PhD in Science or related field with 8 years of related work experience.
- At least 15 years of industrial drug discovery experience, including significant leadership of teams and projects.
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team of at least 5 direct scientific reports across a range of career levels.
- Track record of leading successful drug discovery initiatives from early research through preclinical and clinical transition.
- Profound expertise in immunology and hands-on experience in both in vitro and in vivo pharmacology (including PKPD and assay development).
- Collaborative and inclusive leadership style with strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to effectively interact with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Rheumatology experience is valued but not required; strong pharmacology and immunology backgrounds are essential.
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
Position Overview:
AbbVie’s Immunology Discovery Research organization seeks an impactful scientific leader to manage pioneering research in Rheumatology. This role centers around strong people leadership—mentoring, growing, and developing a diverse scientific team of both junior and senior scientists (5+ direct reports)—and driving high-level drug discovery from target identification through preclinical development and first-in-human studies. The Senior Principal Research Scientist will lead a team of Discovery scientists in the Rheumatology team to champion in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, including strategic PKPD assessment, to guide the characterization and optimization of new therapeutics. In addition to a robust immunology background, candidates will leverage deep expertise steering cross-functional, matrixed teams and collaborative external partnerships to advance innovative, patient-centric discovery programs.
The individual will:
- Provide scientific guidance and set direction for assay development, risk management, and research productivity.
- Ensure high-quality experimental design, incorporating early risk assessments and contingency planning.
- Foster cross-functional engagement across internal and external groups, including Chemistry, Biotherapeutics, Genetic Medicine, Precision Medicine, Clinical Development, and outside collaborations.
- Integrate emerging scientific trends and patient-derived data into strategies to identify new therapeutic targets, especially for underserved populations.
- Demonstrates exceptional ability to lead within a highly matrixed environment, effectively managing a team engaged across multiple programs and projects.
- Demonstrates exceptional strategic thinking by developing and executing robust research and drug discovery strategies that align with organizational objectives and drive innovation in autoimmune disease research.
- Actively participate in shaping overall disease area and target identification strategies, impacting the research group’s long-term vision and priorities.
- Communicate research progress and scientific direction to executive stakeholders.
- Champion mentorship and inclusive team culture, upholding AbbVie’s corporate standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing research team (5+ direct reports), ensuring their professional growth across all career stages.
- Oversee the planning and execution of in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies, including the development and application of innovative assays and PKPD assessments.
- Direct drug discovery programs, driving progression from early-stage conception to clinical candidate selection through strategic leadership and collaboration.
- Devise and implement research strategies that address critical scientific objectives and adapt to new internal and external scientific trends.
- Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and with external research partners to accelerate program advancement.
- Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies and maintain study quality via robust experimental design, data analysis, and early contingency planning.
- Promote knowledge sharing by authoring publications and presenting to cross-functional and executive leadership as well as external partners.
- Mentor and train direct reports, fostering an environment that supports diversity, inclusion, and ongoing career development.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Science related field with 16 years of related work; Master’s Degree Science or PharmD with 14 years of related work; PhD in Science or related field with 8 years of related work experience.
- At least 15 years of industrial drug discovery experience, including significant leadership of teams and projects.
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing a team of at least 5 direct scientific reports across a range of career levels.
- Track record of leading successful drug discovery initiatives from early research through preclinical and clinical transition.
- Profound expertise in immunology and hands-on experience in both in vitro and in vivo pharmacology (including PKPD and assay development).
- Collaborative and inclusive leadership style with strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to effectively interact with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Rheumatology experience is valued but not required; strong pharmacology and immunology backgrounds are essential.
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 62+ Research Scientist at AbbVie jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Scientist at AbbVie roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Scientist Jobs at AbbVie Jobs
Tailor your CV to AbbVie's therapeutic focus areas
AbbVie's research pipeline centers on immunology, oncology, and neuroscience. Highlighting publications, assay development, or lab work in these areas signals direct relevance and strengthens your candidacy before sponsorship even enters the conversation.
Search open Research Scientist roles through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter AbbVie's open Research Scientist positions by visa type. This saves time by surfacing only roles where sponsorship aligns with your specific authorization needs rather than sorting through listings manually.
Prepare for PERM if you're targeting permanent residence
Research Scientist roles at AbbVie often support EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card pathways through PERM labor certification filed with the DOL. Ask during the offer process whether the role is designated for a Green Card track and what the expected timeline looks like.
Document your research contributions with specificity
USCIS scrutinizes whether a Research Scientist role meets specialty occupation standards. Gather documentation of your degree, publications, and any specialized lab techniques before your interview so your employer has everything needed to build a strong I-129 petition quickly.
Research Scientist at AbbVie jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Scientist at AbbVie JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does AbbVie sponsor H-1B visas for Research Scientists?
Yes, AbbVie sponsors H-1B visas for Research Scientists. The company participates in the annual H-1B cap lottery, so timing matters: offers typically need to be in place before the April registration window. If you're already on H-1B with another employer, AbbVie can file an H-1B transfer, which lets you start without waiting for a new cap slot.
How do I apply for Research Scientist jobs at AbbVie?
You can find and apply for Research Scientist positions at AbbVie through Migrate Mate, which filters open roles by visa sponsorship type so you can confirm your category is supported before applying. Applications go through AbbVie's careers portal, and you'll typically move through a phone screen, a technical interview covering your research expertise, and a final panel interview.
Which visa types does AbbVie commonly use for Research Scientist roles?
AbbVie sponsors several visa categories for Research Scientists, including H-1B, H-1B1 for Chilean and Singaporean nationals, E-3 for Australian citizens, TN for Canadian and Mexican nationals, J-1 for research exchange visitors, and F-1 OPT and CPT for students. For longer-term employment, AbbVie also supports Green Card sponsorship through EB-2 and EB-3 pathways via PERM labor certification.
What qualifications does AbbVie expect for Research Scientist positions?
Most Research Scientist roles at AbbVie require a Ph.D. in a life sciences field such as biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, or a related discipline, sometimes with postdoctoral experience. Hands-on expertise in techniques relevant to AbbVie's therapeutic areas, including immunology and oncology assays, cell-based models, or drug discovery workflows, is commonly expected. A strong publication record strengthens your profile significantly.
How do I navigate the visa filing timeline after receiving an offer from AbbVie?
Once you have an offer, AbbVie's immigration team typically works with outside counsel to prepare the petition. For H-1B cap cases, the April registration deadline is fixed, so your offer needs to be confirmed well in advance. For TN or E-3 categories, processing is faster and doesn't depend on a lottery. For PERM-based Green Card cases, expect a multi-year process that begins after your H-1B is approved.
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