Demo

Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical Development

BioSpace
San Diego, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 7/19/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/16/2026
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 atwww.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie onLinkedIn,Facebook,Instagram,XandYouTube.

Job Description

AbbVie is seeking a driven Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical, to join the mRNA-tLNP group. The Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical, will lead the design and development of innovative CAR T-cell therapies that advance mRNA-tLNP pipeline programs from early discovery through IND-enabling studies, with an emphasis on applications in oncology and autoimmune diseases.

Responsibilities

  • Effectively function as a Principal Investigator within the In Vitro Preclinical Team, developing and implementing original research and development strategies for innovative in vivo CAR T-cell therapies.
  • Demonstrate creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve difficult problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals.
  • Collaborate with Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine stakeholders to address key CAR-T therapeutic challenges in mRNA-tLNPs through preclinical composition design.
  • Serves as the organizational SME in next-generation cell therapy engineering, with deep command of synthetic receptor architecture and functional signaling biology, and the ability to rapidly synthesize the evolving scientific and intellectual property landscape into high-impact therapeutic programs.
  • Oversee CAR-T project execution from inception through preclinical stages, ensuring alignment with therapeutic hypotheses, available datasets, and the competitive landscape.
  • Generate new scientific proposals and lead those efforts. Anticipate and critically evaluate scientific or regulatory advances or competitive threats and respond with appropriate new strategies.
  • Represent project teams by communicating scientific strategy, progress, and risk assessment to stakeholders.
  • Primary author of publications, presentations, regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents.
  • Present at leading scientific conferences. Enhance AbbVies reputation by presenting research findings and innovative ideas to stakeholders and collaborators.
  • Mentor/supervise a team of one or more and evaluate the performance of those individuals; is accountable for the effective performance of the team/individuals.


Qualifications

  • BS or equivalent education and extensive with typically 14 years of experience; MS or equivalent education with typically 12 years of experience; PhD with typically 6 years of experience in CAR T-cell or immunotherapeutic field
  • Deep subject matter expertise in CAR-T biology, including genetic medicine approaches, novel biological systems, and assay development for candidate generation and assessment.
  • Demonstrated ability to function as a principal investigator, generating original technical ideas and research or development strategies.
  • Demonstrate creative 'out of the box' thinking to solve difficult technical problems and champion new technologies to achieve project goals.
  • Experienced and demonstrated success as primary author of publications, presentations, regulatory documents and/or primary inventor of patents.
  • Demonstrated scientific communication and presentation skills by presenting at leading scientific conferences.
  • Exceptional project management and multitasking skills; adept at setting and managing timelines for self and team.
  • Proactive ownership of challenges, commitment to finding innovative solutions, and a drive to go beyond the status quo.
  • Extensive experience in assay development and leading preclinical cell therapy research teams, preferably experienced with in situ/in vivo delivery platforms for CAR-T therapies.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in T cell biology, immuno-oncology, flow cytometry, and functional assay design


Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

  • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof thisposting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location,andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
  • This job is eligible toparticipatein our long-term incentiveprograms.


Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission,incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless anduntil paid andmay bemodifiedat the Companys sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable 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, visithttps://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

Salary.com Estimation for Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical Development in San Diego, CA
$205,885 to $280,605
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical Development?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical Development career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$60,404 - $76,911
Income Estimation: 
$70,164 - $92,397
Income Estimation: 
$225,010 - $318,974
Income Estimation: 
$270,404 - $352,260
Income Estimation: 
$274,110 - $349,046
Income Estimation: 
$285,744 - $364,577
Income Estimation: 
$182,205 - $244,055
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at BioSpace

  • BioSpace Greenwich, RI
  • Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients... more
  • Just Posted

  • BioSpace Washington, DC
  • Company Description About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and ... more
  • Just Posted

  • BioSpace Washington, DC
  • Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients... more
  • Just Posted

  • BioSpace Washington, DC
  • Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients... more
  • Just Posted


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Research Scientist I, In Vitro Preclinical Development jobs in the San Diego, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Scripps Research San Diego, CA
  • ABOUT US: Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines, a division of Scripps Research, is a first-of-its-kind, nonprofit translational research instit... more
  • 2 Months Ago

  • Bristol Myers Squibb San Diego, CA
  • At RayzeBio, every day is an opportunity to ignite meaningful change. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, RayzeBio blends the nimble, pio... more
  • 2 Months Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!