Supervisor, R&D
- Location
- United States - California - La Jolla
- Work mode
- On-site
- Employment type
- Full-time
About the job
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Position Overview The Supervisor, R&D, with limited guidance from more experienced scientists, works individually and in collaboration with others on multiple projects which are moderate to complex in scope. The Supervisor, R&D plays an active role in planning of projects and experiments and is often the technical lead responsible for the successful execution of the project. This position involves independently making detailed observations, analyzing data, and interpreting results. Working in a team setting, the Supervisor, R&D, will primarily be involved in Research and Development projects serving as a technical lead in translating research ideas and concepts into the product development pipeline towards development of diagnostic assay products. This position provides leadership to a team of junior Research Associates by working to define clear and realistic goals, clearing barriers to success, and understanding of the skills and tasks associated with successful execution. This person is also responsible for supporting a collaborative environment that promotes positive teamwork where all members are working for the good of Abbott Cancer Diagnostics.
Essential Duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide leadership to a small team of junior research associates.
- Conduct bench level experiments within several product or technology areas and identify problems and discrepancies.
- Independently plan and analyze results of bench level experiments within several product or technology areas.
- Operate scientific instrumentation related to performance of duties and notify appropriate personnel of any problems.
- Utilize and apply methods or technologies effectively and provide ideas for new techniques, when appropriate.
- Maintain knowledge of technological industry developments that could assist in completion of an assignment or aid in the development of new processes or procedures.
- Provide technical input and participate in decisions affecting project planning and experimental design.
- Prepare and provide information and data for scientific abstracts/conferences/project meetings/publication.
- Generate, document, and communicate development plans for critical aspects of a project.
- Participate in the development of research plans and experimental outlines, write experimental protocols, and perform laboratory experiments.
- Prepare detailed technical procedures, protocols, and reports.
- Evaluate impact of nonconforming data to product or process.
- Identify and address trends in study data.
- Prepare and approve written reports.
- Lead identification of areas for process improvements.
- Maintain lab notebook in a clear, complete, and consistent manner, following all legal, ISO, and QSR requirements.
- Prepare reports and documentation providing the analysis or summarization of experimental results, outcomes and next steps to supervisor, technical teams/groups, or project teams.
- Present experimental results and defend scientific ideas and findings at data meetings, group meetings, project team meetings, and/or departmental meetings; provide technical input as needed.
- Maintain lab notebook in a clear, complete, and consistent manner, following all legal, ISO, and QSR requirements.
- Prepare reports and documentation providing the analysis or summarization of experimental results, outcomes, and next steps to supervisor, technical teams/groups, or project teams.
- Present experimental results and defend scientific ideas and findings at data meetings, group meetings, project team meetings, and/or departmental meetings; provide technical input as needed.
- Supervise staff; including, but not limited to, organize and prioritize work, write/conduct performance reviews, train/develop, and manage work performance.
- Communicate goals so employees understand them and their role in achieving them.
- Motivate and inspire employees to do their best work through coaching.
- Maintain morale and support employee engagement initiatives.
- Ability to collaborate with others and independent thought and ability to provide insights and defend scientific ideas.
- Work on problems of diverse and complex scope in which analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors.
- Exercise judgment within generally defined practices and policies in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
- Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
- Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
- Regular and reliable attendance.
- Ability to work nights and/or weekends.
- Ability to lift to 20 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day.
- Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 50% of a typical working day.
- Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
- Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
- Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment; including microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, and pipettes for extended periods of time.
- May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.
- Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
- May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
- Ability and means to travel between Exact Sciences locations.
- Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in life sciences, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field; or Master’s degree in life sciences, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or degree related to essential duties and 4 years of related experience in lieu of a PhD; or Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, chemical/physical/biological science, or related field and 6 years of experience related to job duties in lieu of PhD.
- 1+ years of experience in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science, or pharmaceutical industry.
- Demonstrated ability to apply molecular biology and/or biochemical techniques.
- Demonstrated understanding of GMP, ISO, and Quality Systems.
- Demonstrated technical proficiency and knowledge, and scientific creativity.
- Good knowledge of molecular biology and/or biochemistry and/or next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genomics.
- Basic knowledge of statistical and mathematical methods in biology/genetics/genomics; including experience with statistical software, such as JMP.
- Proficient computer skills to include Internet navigation, Email usage, and word processing.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office to include Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation.
- Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1+ years of experience leading or directing people and/or project teams.
The base pay for this position is $90,000.00 – $180,000.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY: Product Development DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > La Jolla : Torrey Pines Science Park ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday), Work with human blood or other potentially infectious materials Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf
From 1082 Abbott Point of Care, Inc.'s careers page (Workday), checked 3 Nov 2026.
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Posted 2 Nov 2026 · checked 3 Nov 2026 · Report this job