Director, Obesity Discovery Research

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.

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.  AbbVie is expanding its presence in the Obesity Therapeutics area starting with the development of a long-acting amylin analog (licensed from Gubra).  We are seeking an experienced scientific leader to lead innovative research in a matrix environment in the area of obesity, focusing on the discovery, validation, and advancement of novel therapeutics. Utilize cross-functional expertise and external collaborations to develop next-generation therapies using diverse modalities. This leadership role offers an opportunity to shape departmental strategy, leverage top-tier facilities, and contribute to cutting-edge research in obesity science.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for obesity discovery research, leveraging internal capabilities and external partnerships with CROs, academic institutions, biotech companies, and key opinion leaders.
• Establish and lead efforts to develop therapeutics the target CNS-driven appetite regulation and/or energy expenditure, utilizing multiple modalities (e.g., biologics, nucleic acid therapies, small molecules).
• Design and execute research programs utilizing advanced in vitro and in vivo assays, biomarker discovery, and translational approaches to support the evolution of obesity and comorbidity pipelines.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams (internal and/or external) in discovery and preclinical development, fostering innovation and scientific autonomy.
• Formulate translational strategies for target engagement, biomarker development, and patient segmentation in first-in-human dose trials.
• Monitor and incorporate emerging research, technology, and competitive intelligence relevant to obesity.
• Identify, evaluate, and champion external collaborations and licensing opportunities to enhance pipeline diversity.
• Maintain and expand relationships with KOLs and academic partners, ensuring ongoing strategic alignment and participation in high-impact scientific forums.

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Neuroscience, Metabolic Disorders, Physiology, or related life sciences.
• Minimum 10 years of industry drug discovery experience with a proven track record of advancing programs from early discovery to clinical development and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Extensive hands-on expertise in in vitro and in vivo models relevant to obesity, neuroendocrine systems, metabolic mechanisms, and appetite regulation.
• Leadership in managing, mentoring, and developing scientific teams in multidisciplinary environments is highly preferred.
• Proven success in research strategy, drug discovery processes, translational and biomarker research, data science, and human genetics.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders including leadership, team members, academic collaborators, and external partners.
• Strategic thinker with familiarity in competitive intelligence, scientific due diligence, and external asset evaluation.

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 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. 

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