Postdoctoral Fellow, Ophthalmology Discovery Research - job 1 of 2

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.

Program Overview

AbbVie is recruiting outstanding individuals willing to challenge themselves to find the best solutions for our patients. The AbbVie Postdoctoral Program is one way we are doing just that. AbbVie Postdoctoral Fellows serve as technical experts who investigate, develop, and optimize new methods and techniques to address critical project or functional area needs. Participants will improve existing or develop new laboratory methods and processes, read and adapt literature to accomplish assignments, and should have mastery of a range of experimental techniques and data analysis specific to their area of expertise.

The Postdoctoral Program supports investigational and experimental research where publication is an important component. Participants will be mentored by renowned industry scientists and collaborators at AbbVie and focus on delivering cutting-edge advancements in Discovery, Development Sciences, and Aesthetics which includes fields such as chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical science, and computational information sciences. This enriching training program offers a balance of supervised investigation and work experience in a learning environment that will expose the participant to activities across the drug development process.

We are seeking scientists from U.S.-based academic institutions who can be matched to projects within their area of scientific expertise for this unique 2-3-year assignment. Applicants who are awarded a postdoctoral position will have the opportunity to build a solid career foundation in the pharmaceutical industry while contributing to advancing human health through AbbVie’s industry-leading biopharmaceutical pipeline.

Role Overview

AbbVie's Ophthalmology Discovery Research group is seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral fellow to join our cutting-edge research team in Irvine, CA. This position will focus on advancing the understanding of ophthalmic diseases through innovative multiomics approaches and bioinformatics. The postdoc will engage in interdisciplinary collaborations to drive novel research initiatives and contribute to therapeutic advancements in vision preservation and restoration. In addition to bioinformatics analysis, this will also involve omics data generation and day-to-day laboratory benchwork. This role involves protocol optimization, implementation of novel technologies, and construction of analysis pipelines to enhance target discovery and drive innovation in ophthalmology.

We are seeking a hands-on omics scientist who is proficient in omics profiling platforms and analysis pipelines and is capable of independently leveraging cutting-edge technologies and bioinformatics.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research on ocular diseases using multiomics approaches, integrating cellular and molecular biology with omics and bioinformatics tools.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including biologists, pathologists, and bioinformaticians, to design innovative experiments and analyze complex datasets.
• Support the development of a comprehensive eye atlas using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and high-plex immunofluorescence spatial proteomics to uncover disease mechanisms.
• Perform data mining, integration, and visualization, extracting meaningful insights from diverse multiomics ocular datasets.
• Resolve research hurdles by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise.
• Prepare and present scientific reports, manuscripts, and presentations to disseminate findings to both internal and external audiences.
• Maintain accurate records of research activities, methodologies, and data analysis, adhering to ethical standards and compliance guidelines.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Biological Sciences, preferrably with focus areas in Ophthalmology, Immunology and/or Bioinformatics (summer and fall graduates are also welcome to apply).
• Hands-on experience with tissue handling and processing for single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling, with experience in protocol development and optimization. 
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques and familiarity with multiomics data types. Competency with various single-cell, spatial transcriptomics and high-plex immunofluorescence proteomics profiling platforms.
• Bioinformatics research experience applying programming languages such as Python or R and data-analysis platforms for genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics.
• Excellent project management skills. Ability to multitask and work within timelines.
• Capable of independently designing and executing experiments, interpreting data, and identifying appropriate follow-up strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex scientific data and translate it into actionable insights.
• Ability to resolve key project hurdles and assumptions by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities, capable of collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with multiomic data generation from ocular tissues
• Experience in multiomics data integration and analysis

Key Leadership Competencies

• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross functionally with partners outside of team to enable higher performance.
• Learns fast, grasps the "essence" and can change course quickly where indicated
• Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
• Creates a learning environment; open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
• Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation, and manages to reality.

Candidates progressing to the final round of the interview process will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation (including one from the Thesis Advisor) and a letter of intent to pursue the postdoctoral position.

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.​​ Salary: $73,000 - $138,500

• 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. ​​

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

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