Jobs / United States / Abbvie INC
Director, Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies
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 roles2 certified filings for “Senior Director, Head of mRNA Drug Substance” (Natural Sciences Managers) in CA: $242k–$270k, median $256k. Most were filed at wage level III (50%) — 3 lottery entries, ≈46% 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).
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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
Summary We are seeking an accomplished scientific and organizational leader to serve as Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies (MDT) team. This leader will define the strategic direction of a multidisciplinary organization spanning DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), protein NMR, mass spectrometry-based affinity screening platform development, mass spectrometry-based structural characterization, and emerging molecular discovery technologies. Together, these capabilities accelerate hit discovery, improve hit quality, and enable small-molecule and peptide discovery programs across therapeutic areas. The leader will report to the Head of Target Enabling Technologies organization and serve on the extended leadership team of Small Molecule Therapeutics and Platform Technologies. Partnering across functions, the leader will help shape portfolio-level lead discovery strategies and drive the evolution of lead discovery through platform innovation, integrated data strategies, and AI/ML-enabled approaches. The role requires a strategic and collaborative scientific leader who can translate emerging technologies and data insights into scalable discovery capabilities, stronger portfolio decisions, and measurable pipeline impact, while developing talent and maintaining external scientific visibility. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership • Define and execute the Molecular Discovery Technologies strategy to maximize portfolio impact through accelerated hit discovery and improved hit quality. • Lead MDT portfolio prioritization and resource allocation, aligning platform deployment and investments with the highest-value discovery opportunities. • Drive integrated data strategies that connect experimental, screening, and computational insights, leveraging AI/ML-enabled approaches to improve decision quality and discovery effectiveness • Partner with Molecular Screening and Characterization, Computational Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Peptide Therapeutics, and other leaders to shape future lead-discovery approaches and cross-functional technology investments. • Develop long-range MDT technology, talent, and infrastructure plans aligned with future portfolio needs. • Establish metrics for platform performance, portfolio contribution, and organizational effectiveness. Scientific Leadership • Provide scientific and strategic oversight to ensure platform-generated insights inform hit identification, prioritization, and progression decisions. • Lead teams in solving complex scientific problems and developing fit-for-purpose solutions. • Drive scientific rigor and decision quality while ensuring technologies translate into actionable portfolio outcomes. • Guide the evaluation, development, and adoption of emerging molecular discovery technologies based on scientific need and potential portfolio impact. • Represent Molecular Discovery Technologies as a key scientific partner on cross-functional teams. • Establish and maintain external scientific relationships and drive adoption of innovative technologies and best practices that enhance discovery effectiveness and portfolio impact. Talent and Organizational Leadership • Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary organization capable of delivering sustained impact across the portfolio. • Develop scientific and people leaders through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning. • Create clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability frameworks aligned with portfolio priorities. • Drive operational excellence, resource stewardship, and continuous improvement across all platforms. • Foster a culture of scientific excellence, inclusion, constructive challenge, agility, cross-functional collaboration, and innovation with purpose. • Ph.D. in chemistry, medicinal chemist