Research Scientist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is a major hub for research scientist roles, with employers spanning the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Abbvie, Fermilab, and Argonne National Laboratory. Chicago anchors most hiring activity, while Evanston and the North Shore corridor host significant biotech and pharmaceutical research. Many of these employers have established visa sponsorship programs for qualified international scientists.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT 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.
PURPOSE:
This position brings an opportunity to make innovative contributions that will define how AbbVie leverages AI-enabled drug discovery across our small molecule portfolio. Reports to Head of Computational Drug Discovery (CDD) and will lead the computational Lead Optimization team. Will implement and enable collaborative design between members of the Optimization team and Global Medicinal Chemistry (GMEC) teams. Must possess strong expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, including a deep understanding of modern computational and experimental strategies, property-based drug design, and pharmacology needed to develop low-dose small molecule drug candidates. The ideal candidate will have a strong and established background in drug discovery from exploratory through candidate nomination including an established external footprint, and network as well as a proven track record of successfully leading diverse project teams to identify novel drug candidates. Past experience will have included mentorship of early/mid-career scientists in matrixed and/or direct reporting relationships.
Responsibilities:
- Consult with project team and GMEC leadership to establish quantitative targets for driving optimization, and assigning an Optimization team member to the project team that can execute these goals for accelerated identification of low dose drug candidates
- Guide Optimization team members in benchmarking experiments to evaluate models’ performance and domain of applicability
- Clearly communicate to project teams the rationale behind the selection of specific models and why they are best suited for the task at hand
- Lead the development of a cohesive collection of internal models and workflows, to comprehensively address AbbVie’s small molecule portfolio needs (suitable models to predict small molecule binding affinities for protein targets, and to predict pharmacological properties (PK parameters, etc.)
- Partner closely with the GMEC leadership team to identify and address gaps where computational predictions are needed
- Advance scientific expertise within the Optimization team and collaborates with cross-disciplinary teams from CDD and Information Research to advance programs and ensure computational capabilities are best implemented across programs
- Proactively demonstrate leadership by providing expert advice and shared knowledge with direct reports, peers, and senior management
- Identify and integrate emerging scientific trends from internal and external sources into functional objectives
- Present program updates and research strategies to functional and non-functional leaders as well as potential and existing partners
- Maintain awareness of emerging literature and science in the field and author scientific disclosures/publications
- Maintain scientific presence outside AbbVie with appropriate publications and conference abstract submission highlighting innovative learnings in computational medicinal chemistry
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education in Science related field with extensive (typically > 18 years) of related work; Master’s Degree or equivalent education with extensive (typically > 16 years) of related work; PhD in Science or related field with typically 10+ years of related work experience
- Highly organized and self-directed, experience leading multiple complex simultaneous research programs or initiatives
- Extensive knowledge and experience in applying data science approaches for medicinal chemistry optimization
- Extensive knowledge and experience in modern computational approaches for medicinal chemistry
- Excellent written and verbal communication, as well as critical evaluation and data-driven decision making, particularly including an ability to explain complex ideas to non-specialists
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to think critically and creatively, and provide solutions both individually and collaboratively with internal experts
- Proven team leadership and management abilities, including experience mentoring, guiding, supervising, and developing scientific personnel with various backgrounds and training levels
- Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of the needs of others
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse groups within the organization and external partners
- Ability to create an inclusive environment where diverse ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds are valued; willingness and ability to lead inclusively and demonstrate a commitment to listen and consider all points of view
- Preferred: has served as Project Lead for a campaign resulting in candidate nomination
- Preferred: track record of driving design of early to late-stage discovery programs with inventive contributions to advanced programs
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
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
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.
PURPOSE:
This position brings an opportunity to make innovative contributions that will define how AbbVie leverages AI-enabled drug discovery across our small molecule portfolio. Reports to Head of Computational Drug Discovery (CDD) and will lead the computational Lead Optimization team. Will implement and enable collaborative design between members of the Optimization team and Global Medicinal Chemistry (GMEC) teams. Must possess strong expertise in modern medicinal chemistry, including a deep understanding of modern computational and experimental strategies, property-based drug design, and pharmacology needed to develop low-dose small molecule drug candidates. The ideal candidate will have a strong and established background in drug discovery from exploratory through candidate nomination including an established external footprint, and network as well as a proven track record of successfully leading diverse project teams to identify novel drug candidates. Past experience will have included mentorship of early/mid-career scientists in matrixed and/or direct reporting relationships.
Responsibilities:
- Consult with project team and GMEC leadership to establish quantitative targets for driving optimization, and assigning an Optimization team member to the project team that can execute these goals for accelerated identification of low dose drug candidates
- Guide Optimization team members in benchmarking experiments to evaluate models’ performance and domain of applicability
- Clearly communicate to project teams the rationale behind the selection of specific models and why they are best suited for the task at hand
- Lead the development of a cohesive collection of internal models and workflows, to comprehensively address AbbVie’s small molecule portfolio needs (suitable models to predict small molecule binding affinities for protein targets, and to predict pharmacological properties (PK parameters, etc.)
- Partner closely with the GMEC leadership team to identify and address gaps where computational predictions are needed
- Advance scientific expertise within the Optimization team and collaborates with cross-disciplinary teams from CDD and Information Research to advance programs and ensure computational capabilities are best implemented across programs
- Proactively demonstrate leadership by providing expert advice and shared knowledge with direct reports, peers, and senior management
- Identify and integrate emerging scientific trends from internal and external sources into functional objectives
- Present program updates and research strategies to functional and non-functional leaders as well as potential and existing partners
- Maintain awareness of emerging literature and science in the field and author scientific disclosures/publications
- Maintain scientific presence outside AbbVie with appropriate publications and conference abstract submission highlighting innovative learnings in computational medicinal chemistry
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education in Science related field with extensive (typically > 18 years) of related work; Master’s Degree or equivalent education with extensive (typically > 16 years) of related work; PhD in Science or related field with typically 10+ years of related work experience
- Highly organized and self-directed, experience leading multiple complex simultaneous research programs or initiatives
- Extensive knowledge and experience in applying data science approaches for medicinal chemistry optimization
- Extensive knowledge and experience in modern computational approaches for medicinal chemistry
- Excellent written and verbal communication, as well as critical evaluation and data-driven decision making, particularly including an ability to explain complex ideas to non-specialists
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to think critically and creatively, and provide solutions both individually and collaboratively with internal experts
- Proven team leadership and management abilities, including experience mentoring, guiding, supervising, and developing scientific personnel with various backgrounds and training levels
- Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of the needs of others
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse groups within the organization and external partners
- Ability to create an inclusive environment where diverse ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds are valued; willingness and ability to lead inclusively and demonstrate a commitment to listen and consider all points of view
- Preferred: has served as Project Lead for a campaign resulting in candidate nomination
- Preferred: track record of driving design of early to late-stage discovery programs with inventive contributions to advanced programs
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
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
Research Scientist Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Research Scientist Jobs in IllinoisResearch Scientist Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research scientists in Illinois?
AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, Fermilab, Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern University are among the most active sponsors of research scientist roles in Illinois. Large pharmaceutical and biotech employers on the North Shore, including Baxter International and Horizon Therapeutics, also have documented histories of sponsoring H-1B visa and other work visas for research positions.
Which visa types are most common for research scientist roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research scientists employed by private-sector employers in Illinois. Researchers at universities and nonprofit research institutions like Argonne and Fermilab may qualify for cap-exempt H-1B petitions, which are not subject to the annual lottery. O-1A visas are an option for scientists with demonstrated extraordinary achievement, such as published research, awards, or citation records.
Which cities in Illinois have the most research scientist sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the largest share of research scientist sponsorship jobs in Illinois, driven by its major academic medical centers, biotech firms, and university research programs. Evanston is significant due to Northwestern University's research enterprise. Lemont hosts Argonne National Laboratory, and Batavia is home to Fermilab, making the Chicago metro area the clear center of gravity for sponsored research science positions statewide.
How to find research scientist visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters research scientist positions in Illinois by visa sponsorship status, so you're not sorting through listings that won't support work authorization. The platform surfaces roles from employers across Chicago, Evanston, and the broader metro area that have confirmed sponsorship activity, making it more efficient than general job searches for identifying opportunities aligned with your visa situation.
Are there state-specific factors that affect research scientist sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois research scientists sponsored on H-1B visas must be paid at least the prevailing wage for their role and location, as certified through a Labor Condition Application filed with the Department of Labor. The concentration of R1 research universities and national laboratories in Illinois means a meaningful share of positions qualify for cap-exempt H-1B filings, which avoid the annual lottery and allow year-round petition filing.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research scientist jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.