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Director, Epidemiology

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 time your epidemiology work changed an asset strategy or regulatory outcome.

What they are checking: Whether their work has actually shaped strategy or regulatory outcomes, which shows they produce evidence that matters, not just publications.

Tell me about a time you managed or mentored others through a study.

What they are checking: Whether they can guide and develop others through complex study work, since director roles depend on building capability in the team.

How do you explain the limits of observational findings to non-epidemiologists?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain clearly what observational data can and cannot show, so non-specialists do not overstate or dismiss the findings.

What would you do

Clinical Development and Safety want different things from an RWE study. How do you align them?

What they are checking: Whether they can reconcile different functions' needs into one sound study, which requires influence and clear reasoning rather than authority.

A post-marketing requirement is due and the data source turns out to be weaker than planned. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can respond to a weak data source under a regulatory deadline with sound options and early, honest communication with regulators.

About the work

How would you design a real-world study to characterize a safety signal for an immunology product?

What they are checking: Whether they can design a sound observational study around a specific safety question, choosing data, comparators and outcomes with care.

What real-world data sources would you consider for dermatology, and what are their limits?

What they are checking: Whether they know the strengths and limits of real-world data sources in this specialty, since poor data choices produce misleading safety findings.

How do you deal with confounding by indication in a non-interventional study?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle confounding by indication with sound methods like active comparators, which is central to credible real-world evidence.

How do you build an RWE strategy plan for an asset across its lifecycle?

What they are checking: Whether they plan evidence ahead across an asset's lifecycle, so the right data exists when regulators, payers and clinicians need it.

What FDA or EMA initiatives on real-world evidence are shaping your work?

What they are checking: Whether they follow how regulators are shaping real-world evidence standards, since those expectations decide what studies will actually be accepted.

What makes a strong protocol and SAP for a non-interventional study?

What they are checking: Whether they write protocols and analysis plans precise enough to stand up to regulatory review and prevent analysis choices made after the fact.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Job Description Under the direction of the Immunology Dermatology Lead in Global Epidemiology, the Director leads or supports one or more assets in the AbbVie immunology portfolio; provides epidemiology project leadership and strategic input to the benefit-risk assessment of biopharmaceutical products; leads epidemiology study design, including analysis of real-world data sources, independently or with additional support; interpretation of real-world evidence; and maintains an understanding of US and international health authority initiatives and regulations impacting the functions of regulatory science and pharmacovigilance, as applicable to RWD/RWE. Responsibilities: • Represent Global Epidemiology on cross-functional, matrix sub-teams of overall asset development teams. • Develop and execute the function’s RWE strategy plan for evidence that proactively supports assets in AbbVie’s immunology portfolio throughout the product lifecycle. • Collaborate with key stakeholders and cross-functional partners (Clinical Development, Safety, Regulatory Affairs, HEOR, Medical Affairs, Precision/Molecular Medicine) to propose and execute on epidemiology and RWE studies that support key asset strategy needs. • Lead or manage other staff in the conduct of research planning and non-interventional study execution, including protocol and SAP development, cross-functional alignment, and delivery of final results/study report and peer-reviewed scientific publications. • Represent the company's position to regulatory authorities in written and verbal communications for regulatory-grade real-world evidence in support of company filings. • Evaluate potential data sources and their applicability (fit for purpose) for RWE generation to address different epidemiologic study questions of interest in support of AbbVie immunology drug development. • Maintain current knowledge of principled pharmacoepidemiologic methods, RWD sources and their applications to benefit-risk evaluation, as well as current health authority initiatives and regulations impacting the functions of pharmacovigilance and regulatory science as applicable to RWD/RWE. • Author and disseminate scientific communications and research articles via presentations at professional conferences and publication in the medical peer-reviewed literature. • Author or serve as internal departmental reviewer for relevant epidemiology sections of regulatory submissions – ODDs, CSRs, RMPs, DSURs, PSURs, PSPs, and PIPs. Required Qualifications: • MD-PhD or PhD in epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, or a closely related discipline, with 3 or more years of industry experience; or • MPH/MS in epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, or a closely related discipline, with 10 or more years of industry experience Preferred Qualifications: • Epidemiology experience within Immunology therapeutic area strongly preferred • Experienced in independently developing and leading strategic plans for asset-focused epidemiology and real world observational studies • Excellent oral and written communication skills and executive presence in cross-functional settings • Experience with regulatory and safety policy and contributing to regulatory and safety documents preferred. Significant Work Activities: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hr day) is required. Frequent to continuous computer usage (greater or equal to 50% of the workday) is required. This role can be based anywhere in the United States. 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

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