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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 25, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Associate Director, Companion Diagnostics Strategy Lead

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Aug 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 22, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you explain a diagnostic strategy to a development team who see it as a dependency rather than an asset?

What they are checking: Translation to the project team

What would you do

How do you decide whether a program needs a companion diagnostic at all?

What they are checking: The strategic judgment the role exists for

You'd lead joint development with diagnostic partners. What goes wrong in a drug and diagnostic co-development?

What they are checking: Real partnership experience

A diagnostic narrows the eligible population and the commercial team is unhappy. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: The commercial tension inherent in this work

This is based at North Chicago covering individual projects and therapeutic areas. What would you want to know about the pipeline and the partners before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they diligence the portfolio

About the work

This role leads diagnostic strategy for projects and therapeutic areas. Walk me through a companion diagnostic program you have worked on.

What they are checking: The specific field, which is narrow

You'd direct development, outsourcing and validation of clinically applicable assays for first-in-human and registrational studies. What changes between those two stages?

What they are checking: The named study stages, distinguished

A diagnostic and a drug have to be approved together but move on different timelines. How do you manage that?

What they are checking: The central regulatory coordination problem

You'd evaluate diagnostic technologies and bring state-of-the-art thinking to project teams. What technology are you watching right now?

What they are checking: Currency in a fast-moving field

You'd design and oversee diagnostic testing and data analysis. How do you set a cutoff for a biomarker test?

What they are checking: A specific, consequential methodological decision

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Description: AbbVie is offering a unique opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join our team as an Associate Director, Companion Diagnostics Strategy Lead within the Precision Medicine Companion Diagnostics team, which supports CDx development across therapeutic areas (oncology/immunology/neuroscience). We are seeking a creative and highly motivated leader to develop and implement global diagnostic strategies to enable and support the global development and commercialization of innovative targeted therapies. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative environment and will be a key member of multidisciplinary development project teams. Essential Duties and Job Functions : • Lead the development and implementation of diagnostic strategies for individual projects and/or therapeutic areas • Direct the development, outsourcing and validation of clinically applicable companion diagnostic assays for FIH and registrational studies • Design, implement and oversee diagnostic testing and data analysis • Provide expertise to development project teams to ensure access to state-of-the art thinking on appropriate diagnostic technologies, evaluating their scientific basis and clinical applicability, the validation status and any technical or statistical issues related to the proposed companion diagnostic assay • Lead joint development teams between AbbVie and Dx partners to ensure successful fit for purpose CDx development and that co-development timelines are met • Serve as subject matter expert in state-of-the-art biomarker testing technologies (immunohistochemistry, FISH, NGS, PCR, flow cytometry, etc) • Will lead interactions with global health authorities regarding companion diagnostics development and submissions While the ideal work location will be based out of AbbVie's HQ in IL, candidates can also be based out of AbbVie's Waltham, MA location. • PhD in Science or related field with 8+ years of related work experience. • Experience and knowledge in the technical and regulatory aspects companion diagnostic development • Cross-functional experience in commercial and or medical aspects of companion diagnostics is a plus • Demonstrated excellence in independently leading and conducting research and ability to evaluate, interpret and present complex scientific data • Experience in human translational research with biomarker application in clinical trials and awareness of the challenges of implementing diagnostic technologies in the clinical setting is desirable • Excellent leadership skills including motivation and influencing without authority • Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English • High level of initiative and ability to work independently • High level of business awareness • Experience in Oncology therapeutic area is a PLUS 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