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Senior Scientist, Toxicology I

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 24, 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 communicating a key safety finding to a project team.

What they are checking: Whether they explain safety findings clearly with context and impact, so project teams can make sound decisions.

Tell me about a study conduct issue you resolved.

What they are checking: Whether they solve study problems carefully and document them, since conduct issues affect data integrity and regulatory acceptance.

What would you do

QA raises an audit finding on your study. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they respond to QA findings openly and fix root causes, since GLP compliance protects the study's validity.

The study timeline conflicts with the filing date. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they find realistic options and communicate early when timelines clash, rather than cutting corners on study quality.

About the work

What are your responsibilities as a GLP Study Director, and where do things most often go wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that the Study Director is accountable for the whole GLP study, and know where studies usually go wrong.

How would you design a repeat-dose toxicology program to support a first-in-human study?

What they are checking: Whether they can design studies that support first-in-human dosing, with the right species, duration and endpoints for regulators.

A finding appears that may be adverse. How do you decide if it is?

What they are checking: Whether they judge adversity carefully, weighing severity, reversibility and relevance, since this call shapes human dose selection.

How do you monitor a study at a CRO as sponsor?

What they are checking: Whether they oversee outsourced studies actively, catching problems early instead of waiting for the final report.

How do you write a toxicology report that supports a regulatory filing?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear, accurate reports that regulators can follow, since filings depend on how findings are presented.

How do you choose species for a toxicology program?

What they are checking: Whether they choose species based on relevance to humans, like metabolism and target biology, which is core toxicology judgment.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Responsibilities • The primary responsibility of this job is to function as GLP Study Director for AbbVie internally conducted toxicology studies (80% of time) and external sponsor monitor for studies conducted at contract research organizations (< 20% of time). • As study director, the incumbent ensures the highest standards in quality and regulatory compliance are met in study conduct and reporting. • Accountable for all aspects of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) report authorship, including writing and reviewing toxicology study reports and preparing assigned components of filing documents that support submissions to global regulatory agencies for drugs in development. Serve as scientific expert for studies, during audits and on project teams, committees and other assignments. Accurately identify key scientific findings and effectively communicate findings in reports, presentations, and meetings. • Manages study timelines against regulatory filing needs and in coordination with line function management. Demonstrate the ability to resolve key planning and study conduct issues by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise. Accountability/Scope: • Responsible for representing Sponsor in all aspects of GLP compliance within assigned studies and related departmental activities. • Design, conduct and report toxicology studies appropriate to overall development plans and aligned with regulatory expectations. • Apply external scientific and regulatory information to business practices and PCS Toxicology strategies. • The Toxicologist must design/critically evaluate and interpret experiments, record, tabulate and report results and significant issues. • The Toxicologist must understand and follow established procedures and practices, ensure compliance with established procedures within the function, as well as possess a good understanding of appropriate FDA, ICH and OECD regulations and guidelines. • The level of this opportunity will be commensurate with experience. The position could be a Sr Sci I or Sr Sci II, Toxicology depending on relevant experience. • Significant Work Activities -Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day) • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 10 years of experience, Master’s Degree or equivalent education and typically 8 years of experience, PhD and no experience necessary. • PhD or equivalent in Toxicology or closely related field with or without, post-doctoral training and up to 4 years toxicology study director experience in pharmaceutical or contract research organization setting is preferred. • Responsible for GLP and non-GLP study conduct and project science within his/her area of expertise. • Demonstrates Toxicology expertise with agility, accountability and excellent communication skills. • Demonstrates the ability to resolve study design and regulatory issues and key study conduct hurdles by effectively utilizing available information and technical expertise. • Effective writer and communicator of research or other regulatory materials. • Proactively seek relevant information in the literature and incorporate this into knowledge of Toxicology practices and overall program issues. ​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

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