Jobs / United States / Abbvie INC
Principal Scientist I, Obesity Neurobiology
Abbvie INC · 🇺🇸 North Chicago, IL, US
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 177 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 94 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Abbvie INC paid sponsored hires in similar roles11 certified filings for “Senior Scientist II” (Chemists) in IL: $131k–$135k, median $134k. Most were filed at wage level IV (100%) — 4 lottery entries, ≈61% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
A verdict summarises public evidence; it is not legal advice and never a guarantee — the employer and the immigration authority decide. Sign in to factor in where you can already work.
Or apply yourself on the official page →
Sponsor Radar — Abbvie INC
The US Department of Labor certified 177 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 94 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Abbvie INC →
About the role
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 CNS regulation of energy balance 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. • PhD 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 , 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 un