Scientist II, Histotechnologist - R&D, Pathology Functional Immunology and Innovative Technology Group

AbbVie•Worcester, MA

21d•$84,500 - $162,000

About The Position

Are you an experienced histology professional with a passion for leadership, operational excellence, and scientific innovation? We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Histology scientist to lead our histopathology team and manage the overall laboratory operations within the Functional Immunology and Innovative Technology Group. In this senior role, you will oversee the day-to-day management of a skilled histotechnology team, ensuring the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in support of immunology drug discovery programs. Your responsibilities will span from histotechnology laboratory work, team leadership, workflow optimization, resource planning, quality management systems, and cross-functional collaboration with pathologists, scientists, and study directors. You will serve as the primary technical and operational authority for the lab, championing a culture of continuous improvement, scientific rigor, and professional development. If you thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary research environment and are ready to lead a high-performing team at the forefront of translational science, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

BS or equivalent education with typically 7 or more years of experience
MS or equivalent education with typically 5 or more years of experience
Demonstrated experience in histotechnology science, managing laboratory personnel, including performance management, scheduling, and staff development

Nice To Haves

Histotechnologist (HTL) or Histotechnician (HT) certification (ASCP) required; HT/HTL (ASCP) in good standing preferred
Comprehensive technical proficiency in tissue grossing, FFPE and OCT processing, embedding, sectioning, routine H&E, and special histochemical staining
Experience developing, validating, and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality control programs, and regulatory/compliance frameworks (e.g., GLP, ISO)
Familiarity with advanced molecular histology platforms (e.g., spatial transcriptomics) and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) such as Sample Manager or equivalent
Proven leadership and people management skills with an ability to motivate, mentor, and develop a high-performing technical team
Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a deadline-driven environment
Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to institutional policies and documentation standards
Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with pathologists, scientists, operations, and senior leadership
Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset and the ability to drive process optimization and innovation initiatives
Consistent track record of delivering high-quality, reproducible results within resource and timeline constraints
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports, and presentations
Independent, analytical, and solutions-oriented with a demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and drive decisions in a complex research environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote) and laboratory data management tools

Responsibilities

Participate in the accessioning, grossing, embedding, processing of traditional histological tissue samples as well as novel complex in vitro model samples.
Directly supervise, mentor, and develop a team of histotechnologists and laboratory technicians. Conduct performance evaluations, establish individual development plans, oversee scheduling and workload allocation, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and psychologically safe team culture.
Plan, coordinate, and prioritize laboratory workflows to ensure timely delivery of histological services in support of drug discovery and translational research programs. Monitor laboratory capacity and adjust resource allocation as needed to meet project milestones and organizational objectives. Be the point of contact for troubleshooting the newly implemented laboratory management information system employed in the laboratory (SampleManger).
Establish, maintain, and continuously improve quality management systems, including SOPs, quality control protocols, and laboratory metrics.
Oversee procurement, maintenance, and qualification of laboratory equipment, reagents, and consumables.
Provide technical training in histological techniques including tissue trimming, processing, embedding, FFPE and cryosectioning, routine and special staining, and advanced molecular tissue-based assays.
Enforce safe handling of hazardous chemicals, biological specimens, and sharp instruments. Lead incident investigations, and corrective action implementation in compliance with EHS policies.
Partner with pathologists, research scientists, and program managers to understand project needs and deliver tailored histological solutions.
Identify and implement improvements to existing workflows, technologies, and methodologies. Evaluate and qualify new platforms and reagents, and champion the adoption of emerging histological and digital pathology technologies aligned with the group's scientific strategy.