China Opportunity Translation and Project Lead, Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine

The Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine (BGM) team at AbbVie is a critical discovery engine enabling our ambition to become the top biopharma company in the world. We combine our best-in-class internal technical platforms with the rapidly growing scientific ecosystem in China to deliver transformational large-molecule clinical development candidates to patients at unparalleled speed.
We are seeking a strategic, scientifically grounded leader to report to the Director of China Strategy, BGM. This role will translate China opportunities into clear strategic, scientific, and operational recommendations; help land and progress early discovery projects in China; and strengthen connectivity between BGM China and global stakeholders. The position will coordinate closely with Venture, CEI, Development Sciences China, Development Sciences Global, Therapeutic Area teams, and other relevant global functions.
Responsibilities:
Translate external innovation opportunities from China and Asia into integrated scientific, strategic, and operational assessments that inform discovery portfolio and investment decisions.
Support scientific, technical, and development due diligence for external opportunities in China, with particular emphasis on biotherapeutics and genetic medicine.
Provide a strong local scientific presence through rapid initial assessment of scientific rationale, data quality, differentiation, translational potential, development feasibility, and strategic relevance.
Rapidly understand emerging technologies and concepts and identify critical gaps between early external science and pharmaceutical discovery and development requirements.
Support scientific, technical, and development diligence and communicate clear assessments, risks, gaps, and recommendations to China and Global stakeholders.
Work closely with venture team, BD, Global BGM/Discovery, Development Sciences, Therapeutic Area teams, and other experts to define validation, de-risking, and internalization plans.
Translate selected opportunities into clear scientific hypotheses, decision criteria, experimental strategies, and actionable R&D paths.
Serve as Project Lead or Co-Lead for selected programs, integrating internal and external capabilities to advance key discovery and development milestones.
Lead projects primarily executed in China using academic, CRO, biotech, or other external R&D resources, while maintaining close alignment with Global BGM/Discovery and Development Sciences.
Ph.D. with 5–10 years of industry experience. Strong scientific background in life sciences, chemistry, or a related discipline; expertise in genetic medicine and/or biotherapeutics is strongly preferred.
Direct pharmaceutical or biotechnology R&D experience in drug discovery and development, with scientific accountability for program progression.
Demonstrated Scientific/R&D Project Lead or Co-Lead experience advancing programs through discovery milestones toward candidate nomination, IND-enabling activities, or early development.
Ability to rapidly understand and critically evaluate emerging technologies, novel modalities, and unfamiliar scientific concepts.
Demonstrated ability to independently conduct initial scientific assessment, gap analysis, opportunity shaping, and validation planning.
Experience scientifically advancing collaborations with academic institutions, research institutes, biotechnology companies, or other external innovators is strongly preferred.
Highly proactive, resourceful, detail-oriented, and service-minded, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment. Strong communication skills in both English and Chinese.
Based in Shanghai, China, with the ability to travel frequently for external interactions, project reviews, and conferences.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid