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Principal Research Scientist I

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Aug 20, 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 process problem in manufacturing that you were called in to solve.

What they are checking: Whether they are the person who gets called, which is what principal means here.

How do you give technical guidance to a manufacturing team that reports to someone else?

What they are checking: Influence without authority, which is most of a technical expert role.

Tell me about a time your technical recommendation was overruled.

What they are checking: Whether they can disagree and then support the decision.

What development in parenteral processing do you think matters most right now?

What they are checking: Whether they follow the field, which a principal role is expected to.

What would you do

How do you work with an external partner who does things differently from your own plants?

What they are checking: The posting names external partners, and this is where technology transfer fails.

How do you decide a process is ready to move from development into manufacturing?

What they are checking: Judgment about readiness, which is where launches slip or fail.

About the work

Tell me about your experience with parenteral manufacturing processes.

What they are checking: Whether sterile manufacturing is genuinely their field, since it does not transfer from oral solid dose.

Walk me through troubleshooting a filling machine that is losing yield.

What they are checking: The posting names filling machines as the technical specialism, and this is the real work.

How do you approach selecting process equipment for a new or expanding line?

What they are checking: Equipment selection, which the posting names and which commits a plant for a decade.

How do you work with quality on a process change?

What they are checking: Change control in a regulated plant, which is where good engineering meets paperwork.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Purpose We are seeking a highly-motivated toxicologist to support discovery-stage programs across therapeutic areas within preclinical safety. As part of the Investigative Toxicology and Pathology group, the successful candidate will effectively leverage in silico, in vitro, and in vivo tools to design and execute a safety assessment strategy to support pipeline advancement. As project toxicologist, this scientist will work cross-functionally, providing critical subject matter expertise and data integration to drive progress for programs. Responsibilities • Support project teams to design and execute a safety strategy specific to the needs of the project by leveraging internal and external resources, in silico tools, in vitro models, and in vivo studies. Select and design experiments that answer key questions, are decision-enabling, and promote judicious progression of programs. • Support development and deployment of in vitro tools for safety assessment (simple and complex in vitro models, or NAMs) and utilize appropriate endpoints (imaging, toxicogenomic, etc) to support decision-making. • Demonstrate the ability to identify and resolve key project hurdles by effectively utilizing available information and resources. • Communicate effectively across cross-functional teams and with leadership to support alignment on program strategy. • Proactively seek out new information in the literature and incorporate this into individual projects as well as the overall safety assessment strategy. • Seize opportunities to pursue project-relevant exploration and experiments to support data-driven decision-making and program progress. • May mentor/supervise a team of one or more and evaluate the performance of those individuals; accountable for the effective performance of the team/individuals. • Collaborate effectively with other teams to identify areas of scientific advancement and efficiency. Required: • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and extensive, typically 14+ years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 12 years of experience, PhD and typically 6+ years of experience. • Experience directing the use of, and interpreting data from, in vitro safety studies. • Demonstrate ability to function independently, generating original research or development strategies. • Possess thorough theoretical and practical understanding of own scientific discipline. • Effective writer and communicator of research. Demonstrated scientific communication and presentation skills. Preferred: • People leadership and management experience • DABT board certification or equivalent • Experience working on cross-functional project teams, including but not limited to, within pharmaceutical development 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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