Senior Scientist II, Translational Oncology

Pharmacyclics is committed to the development and commercialization of novel therapies intended to improve the quality and duration of life and to resolve serious unmet medical needs for cancer patients. Pharmacyclics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company. Oncology is a key therapeutic area for AbbVie, with a portfolio consisting of three marketed products and a pipeline containing multiple promising new molecules that are being studied in more than 200 clinical trials for over 20 different types of cancer.

More than 1,200 Pharmacyclics and AbbVie research scientists, clinicians, marketing, operations and corporate professionals work in the San Francisco Bay Area. They combine their expertise in immuno-oncology, stem cells, and cell-signaling with their knowledge of bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and covalent-inhibitor technologies to discover and develop novel cancer treatments. Together, we are striving to outsmart cancer.

To learn more about us, please visit us at http://www.pharmacyclics.com/

General Position Summary/Purpose:

AbbVie is at the forefront of cancer research, discovering and developing the next generation of treatments to address unmet medical need for cancer patients. Our strong pipeline includes both small molecule and biologic therapeutic approaches with first in class agents that target multiple pathways central to the growth and survival of both solid and hematological malignancies.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist II with a proven track record of scientific accomplishments to join our growing Translational Oncology organization. The scientist will be part of a team dedicated to developing translational and biomarker strategies, including discovering and developing biomarkers to support AbbVie's Oncology pipeline, particularly programs transitioning between preclinical and First in Human (FIH). The scientist will work with a multidisciplinary team, and will be responsible for the design, experimental execution and data analysis contributing to translational and biomarker research.

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate scientific independence and leadership to establish and implement strategy for understanding the mechanism of action of drugs, translating it into biomarkers and assays that can be measured in clinical trials.
• Design hypothesis-driven proposals and studies of human samples to inform clinical responses or mechanism of action of drugs.
• Develop and maintain ex vivo/in vitro models to interrogate the function of immune and tumor cells and their interactions.
• Design and execute in vitro or ex vivo experiments to determine effect of drugs using relevant cell biology techniques. Lead the development, optimization, and validation of new assays.
• Apply cell and molecular biology techniques (multi-color flow cytometry, MSD, Luminex, 10x, PCR/NGS) to identify and evaluate biomarkers using clinical samples.
• Interact with cross-functional teams to generate and analyze multi-dimensional data including NGS, Nanostring, microarrays, IHC, ISH.
• Actively participate in internal and external scientific meetings by presenting and critically evaluating emerging scientific literature to contribute to projects.
• Perform and manage in-house, CRO, or collaborative research to support pilot and on-going projects. Train and guide colleagues in established methodology, troubleshooting of assays, and in the development of novel techniques.

Qualifications:

• PhD with postdoctoral training and 5+ years of industry experience in cellular immunology, oncology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or related fields.
• Extensive laboratory experience in Immunology/Immuno-Oncology with a high degree of expertise in innate and adaptive immune cell biology and signaling, and tumor/immune cell interaction.
• Expertise and experience in therapeutic research or development in the cancer immunology.
• Broadly trained in immunology, translational oncology and cancer biology, as indicated by peer reviewed publications in recognized journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Experience:

• Experience in multi-colored flow cytometry strongly preferable. Experience with single cell quantification, cell sorting, and antibody characterization activities. Working knowledge of lymphocyte biology, cell subsets, and lineage markers.
• Experience working with clinical samples; experience in designing and conducting biomarker or mechanistic studies with clinical trial samples.
• Experiencing leading cross-functional teams. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
• Experienced in training and mentoring junior scientists.
• Ability to thrive in a fast paced, multi-disciplinary, matrixed environment.
• Enthusiasm and passion for conceiving and executing innovative scientific research.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled