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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.

Principal Scientist I, Energy Homeostasis

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Aug 19, 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

Tell me about analyzing preclinical pharmacokinetic and in vivo data that did not support the hypothesis. What did you conclude?

What they are checking: Scientific honesty on data that kills a program.

Describe presenting a scientific recommendation to a cross-functional team who wanted a different answer.

What they are checking: Holding a scientific view against a business preference.

This is a Principal Scientist I at North Chicago as AbbVie expands into obesity therapeutics, leading discovery in search and evaluation. What do you want to know about how established this effort is and how decisions on external assets get made?

What they are checking: Checking the maturity of a newly expanding area.

What would you do

How do you design a proof-of-concept study with a contract research organization so the result is actually decisive?

What they are checking: Study design where a weak result wastes months.

Obesity mechanisms overlap with other therapeutic areas. How would you evaluate whether a target is worth pursuing beyond obesity?

What they are checking: The cross-area expansion this posting explicitly asks for.

What would make you recommend walking away from a licensing opportunity that looked good on paper?

What they are checking: Discipline about the deal, which is the point of diligence.

How do you work with an academic laboratory whose incentives are publication rather than program decisions?

What they are checking: Managing academic collaborations toward a decision.

About the work

This leads obesity discovery in search and evaluation. Walk me through how you assess an external asset's scientific merit.

What they are checking: Diligence method in the external innovation role this posting names.

The obesity field has moved fast. What target or mechanism do you think is underexplored, and why?

What they are checking: An actual scientific point of view in energy homeostasis.

How do you keep a literature and intelligence search from becoming a summary of what everyone already knows?

What they are checking: Search that produces insight rather than coverage.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Purpose : AbbVie is expanding its presence in Obesity Therapeutics and is seeking a Principal Scientist to participate in external innovation and diligence efforts to advance the early obesity pipeline. This individual will report to a scientific director of obesity and primarily focus on external innovation activities for obesity assets. Responsibilities : • Support external collaborations and licensing opportunities to diversify the pipeline by serving as the Obesity Discovery lead in Search & Evaluation diligence teams. Use personal scientific expertise to advise on scientific merit and drive external innovation. • Perform literature/intelligence searches to determine scientific and technical approaches for discovery of novel obesity targets emphasizing energy metabolism and energy expenditure leading to weight loss with potential utility in additional indications (neurological disorders, autoimmune disorders). • Serve as the Obesity Discovery lead in cross functional teams to expand obesity targets into other key therapy areas at AbbVie including but not limited to neuroscience and immunology. • Coordinate in vitro/in vivo PoC studies for preclinical assets, working with contract research organizations and academic labs to complete key preclinical experiments. • Apply experience to analyze preclinical PK, in vitro, in vivo data sets for obesity related assets, and to ensure scientific integrity throughout the process. • Prepare scientific reports and presentations related to pre-clinical obesity assets. • Design MoA experiments, review protocols, and data sets for late-stage clinical assets. • Responsible for completing these tasks with minimal supervision. • Ph.D scientist with post-doctoral training in neuroscience, biology or related biological discipline • 6+ years of independent research experience in industrial or academic setting • Content expertise in obesity related scientific areas including CNS regulation of energy balance and peripheral energy metabolism, brain peripheral cross-talk and pharmacological manipulation of energy balance • Proven record of scientific achievements as assessed by peer reviewed publications • Proficient with AI tools, graphing and data analysis tools • Capable of performing platform talks at international conferences • Excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills • Complex problem solving and excellent attention to detail • Ability to manage time independently and effectively to achieve goals • Experience in project management and cross functional/disciplines working is a plus Key Stakeholders: • Obesity Discovery Research Scientific Directors, Search & Evaluation Obesity Teams 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