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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 26, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Associate Scientist, I

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 25, 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

Tell me about a result you got that didn't match what the lab expected. What did you do with it?

What they are checking: Scientific honesty when the data is inconvenient

How do you explain a technical finding to a colleague from a different function?

What they are checking: The cross-functional communication the posting asks for

The posting asks for a bachelor's or master's in cell or molecular biology. Where are you, and what would you most want to learn in this lab?

What they are checking: The stated degree requirement and a real reason for this specific position

About the work

This is an associate scientist role working with zebrafish in an investigative toxicology lab. What's your experience with zebrafish or another small animal model?

What they are checking: Fit with an unusual model system

The role includes animal husbandry and line maintenance. What does keeping a fish line healthy actually involve?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the daily care side, not just the experiments

The posting names a diverse range of staining and imaging techniques. Which have you run yourself, and on what?

What they are checking: Bench skills rather than familiarity

Walk me through how you'd develop and validate a new assay for the lab.

What they are checking: Method development, which the posting asks for explicitly

An experiment isn't reproducing. How do you work out whether it's the animals, the reagents or the protocol?

What they are checking: Systematic troubleshooting

The posting says you'd independently generate reliable and reproducible data in a timely manner. How do you keep records so someone else could repeat your work?

What they are checking: Data integrity habits at the bench

This is toxicology work. What are you actually looking for when you're investigating a mechanism of toxicity?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the purpose of the work, not just the techniques

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at AbbVie from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

We are seeking a highly engaged scientist willing to develop and enhance current skills in the zebrafish lab. The position, as part of the Investigative Toxicology and Pathology group, is a key interface between internal stakeholders across AbbVie (Discovery, Development Sciences, and Preclinical Toxicology). Using strong scientific and organizational skills, and hands-on experience with zebrafish assay development and use, the successful candidate is expected to impact risk assessment for novel therapeutics in the early development pipeline and assist in the development and validation of new methodology. Key responsibilities: • Assist with animal husbandry and line maintenance • Utilize a diverse range of staining and imaging techniques to understand and investigate mechanisms of toxicity • Develop and valid new methodology to expand current lab capabilities as required • Proactively engage in independent research to explore, develop, troubleshoot, and refine novel cell, biochemical, and molecular biology assays/techniques tailored to critical project demands. • Independently generate reliable and reproducible data in a timely manner. Demonstrate experimental precision and strong data interpretation skills • Collaborate effectively and exhibit excellent communication skills in a diverse and cross-functional environment within AbbVie. • BS or MS in cell/molecular biology, Molecular toxicology/Pharmacology, biochemistry, or a related field with 0-2+ yrs experience • Wet lab experience • Familiarity with basic staining and brightfield or fluorescent imaging techniques • Ability to work and contribute within a team • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Strong critical thinking skills and ability to trouble shoot • Knowledge of traditional scientific, statistical, and graphing software Preferred: • Previous zebrafish husbandry experience, including maintenance of genetically modified lines • Experience with molecular and analytical techniques (ex. DNA or RNA extraction, qRT-PCR, JESS/Western Blots) • Familiarity with image analysis software • ​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. 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