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Medical Director, Oncology Clinical Development (Solid Tumors)

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 23, 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 protocol you helped design. What would you change now?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on their past protocol work and learn from it, which is a sign of growing clinical judgment.

Tell me about a time you worked in a cross-functional team and changed the plan with your clinical input.

What they are checking: Whether their clinical input has actually changed team decisions, showing they can be an effective medical voice in cross-functional settings.

How do you balance working under supervision with taking ownership of your studies?

What they are checking: Whether they balance learning from supervisors with real ownership, which is expected of a growing medical director.

What would you do

A patient on your study has a serious adverse event. Walk me through your assessment and reporting.

What they are checking: Whether they assess and report serious adverse events correctly and on time, since this protects patients and meets regulatory obligations.

How would you train investigators and site staff on a complex oncology protocol?

What they are checking: Whether they can train investigators clearly on complex protocols, because site misunderstandings lead to deviations and unreliable data.

Enrollment is slow at sites. How do you work with Clinical Operations on it?

What they are checking: Whether they partner constructively with clinical operations on enrollment, bringing medical insight to solve practical site problems.

About the work

How would you design a phase 1 dose escalation and expansion study for a new solid tumor agent?

What they are checking: Oncology early development design including dose selection and expansion cohorts.

How do you decide which solid tumor indications to pursue first for a new molecule?

What they are checking: Whether they can reason through indication selection using science, unmet need and feasibility, which shapes a molecule's whole development path.

What goes into the Investigator Brochure from the clinical side, and how do you keep it accurate?

What they are checking: Whether they understand their role in keeping the Investigator Brochure accurate, since investigators rely on it to protect patients.

How do you interpret early efficacy signals in a small single-arm cohort?

What they are checking: Whether they interpret early efficacy data cautiously, because small single-arm cohorts can easily mislead development decisions.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Purpose: With supervision, oversees the direction, planning, execution and interpretation of clinical trials or research activities of a clinical development program. Participates in cross-functional teams to generate, deliver, and interpret high-quality clinical data supporting overall product scientific and business strategy. Responsibilities: • With appropriate supervision, manages the design and implementation of study protocols for a clinical development program in support of the overall Product Development Plan, based on strong medical and scientific principles, knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements, AbbVie’s customers, markets, business operations, and emerging issues. Oversees project-related education of investigators, study site personnel, and AbbVie study staff. • Has responsibility for oversight of clinical studies, monitoring overall study integrity, and review, interpretation, and communication of accumulating data pertaining to safety and efficacy of the molecule. Along with Clinical Operations, is responsible for oversight of study enrollment and overall timelines for key deliverables. Responsible for assessment and reporting of serious adverse events per corporate policy and regulations for those protocols on which assigned. • Contributes to design, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of scientific content of protocols, Investigator Brochures, Clinical Study Reports, regulatory submissions and responses, and other program documents. • May serve on a Clinical Strategy Team as the clinical representative for the protocols for which the incumbent has responsibility. Contributes to the development of a rigorous, cross-functionally-aligned, vetted Clinical Development Plan in collaboration with matrix team members. • Participates in opinion leader interactions related to the disease area(s); partners with Medical Affairs, Commercial and other functions in these activities as required, consistent with corporate policies. • Stays abreast of professional information and technology through conferences, medical literature, and other available training, to augment expertise in the therapeutic area. • Responsible for understanding the regulatory requirements related to the clinical studies and global drug development and accountable for complying with those requirements. May be asked to contribute to regulatory responses and discussions. • Ensures adherence to Good Clinical Practices, pharmacovigilance standards, standard operating procedures and to all other quality standards in conducting research. • Medical Doctor (M.D), Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), or non-US equivalent of M.D. degree with relevant therapeutic specialty in an academic or hospital environment. Completion of a residency program strongly preferred. Completion of a subspecialty fellowship is desirable. • Ability to run a clinical research study with appropriate supervision. • Strong desire to collaborate in a cross-functional setting. • Clinical trial experience in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, or equivalent is preferred. • Knowledge of clinical trial methodology, regulatory and compliance requirements governing clinical trials and experience in the design of study protocols is desirable. • Ability to interact externally and internally to support global scientific and business strategy. • Must possess excellent oral and written English communication skills. 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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