Graphic Designer - Global Scientific Publications

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Graphic Designer - Global Scientific Publications

Company: AbbVie

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Creative & Media / Art & Design / Healthcare / Science & Research

Date Posted: September 02, 2026

Experience Level: 3-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the visual communication strategy for global scientific publications by creating high-impact graphic assets that support business objectives.

• Collaborate closely with medical writing teams to ensure scientific accuracy and alignment with project goals for presentations, posters, and figures.

• Develop and maintain robust design templates and brand consistency across all scientific and medical communication materials.

• Manage project timelines and deliverables effectively within a deadline-driven, team-oriented environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Global Scientific Publications, indicating a strong focus on translating complex scientific data into visually digestible formats for medical and scientific audiences. The emphasis on partnership with medical writers suggests a need for deep understanding of scientific content and regulatory considerations, even though the role itself is primarily design-focused.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create and format complex scientific PowerPoint presentations, including custom graphics, data tables, icons, and infographics to enhance clarity and engagement.

• Design, layout, and format scientific posters using Adobe Creative Suite, adhering strictly to brand and style guidelines.

• Develop and maintain a library of design templates for presentations and posters to ensure brand consistency and streamline future content creation.

• Produce high-quality, complex figures and graphics that accurately represent scientific data and support publication objectives.

• Collaborate with medical writers and project teams to interpret scientific content and translate it into effective visual communications.

• Manage individual project scope, timelines, and deliverables, proactively communicating any potential delays or issues.

• Prioritize and balance workload across multiple projects to ensure team and individual effectiveness and meet established deadlines.

• Triage incoming email and work requests, prioritizing urgent tasks that may impact project timelines or team productivity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus on both creative execution and project management within a scientific context. The mention of "custom builds" and "infographics" suggests an expectation for advanced PowerPoint skills beyond basic template usage, and a need for creative problem-solving in data visualization.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Communications, or a related field preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of professional graphic design experience, with a strong preference for previous experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skills in PowerPoint (creation of complex slides, custom graphics, data tables, infographics).

• Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator for poster and figure creation.

• Strong understanding of editorial design principles, information graphics, and data visualization techniques.

• Demonstrated ability to design for scientific and medical audiences, ensuring clarity and accuracy in communication.

• Proven experience in a creative, team-oriented, and deadline-driven environment.

• Excellent multitasking capabilities and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• High degree of initiative, a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach.

• Adaptability and ability to process and respond to feedback quickly and effectively.

• Strong teamwork attributes and cultural sensitivity for effective collaboration. Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, understanding of medical terminology and publication processes.

• Experience in developing and maintaining brand and style guidelines for scientific communications.

• Familiarity with content management systems or digital asset management (DAM) tools.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards for digital content.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for "design thinking skills" and ensuring design "enhances and helps clearly communicate scientific messages" points to a need for strategic design application, not just aesthetic execution. The preference for pharmaceutical/healthcare experience suggests an understanding of industry-specific communication nuances.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 years of professional design work, with a significant portion dedicated to scientific or medical content.

• Include examples of complex scientific PowerPoint presentations, demonstrating data visualization, infographic creation, and custom slide builds.

• Present at least 2-3 examples of scientific posters designed for conferences or publications, highlighting layout, typography, and adherence to style guides.

• Feature examples of complex figures and graphics created using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop) that effectively communicate data.

• Demonstrate ability to create and utilize design templates for consistency and efficiency. Process Documentation:

• Highlight experience in managing project timelines and deliverables, with examples of how you've successfully navigated deadline-driven environments.

• Include case studies or examples that illustrate your collaborative process with subject matter experts (e.g., medical writers) to ensure accuracy and clarity.

• Showcase your approach to receiving and incorporating feedback to refine designs and meet project objectives.

• Provide examples of how you've contributed to process improvements or template development to enhance team efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their design process, explain their rationale behind design choices, and articulate how their work supported the scientific communication goals of a project. Quantifiable results or positive feedback from stakeholders would be highly beneficial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,500 - $125,500 USD annually.

Benefits:

• Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave).

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan.

• Eligibility for short-term incentive programs.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime depending on project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($65,500 - $125,500 USD) appears to be a broad estimate, likely reflecting variations in experience, specific responsibilities within the grade, and potentially geographic nuances within the broader Chicago metropolitan area. Grade 14 suggests a mid-to-senior level position. The benefits package is standard for a large pharmaceutical company, emphasizing work-life balance with paid time off and comprehensive health coverage.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology. AbbVie focuses on discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines to address serious health issues in areas like immunology, oncology, and neuroscience, as well as in its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.

Company Size: AbbVie is a large, global biopharmaceutical company, employing thousands of individuals worldwide. This scale implies a structured environment with established processes and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: AbbVie was established in 2013 as a spin-off from Abbott Laboratories, bringing with it a legacy of scientific innovation and a commitment to improving patient lives.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer will be part of the Global Scientific Publications team, which works closely with medical writing, regulatory affairs, and R&D departments.

• This role requires partnership with medical writers to ensure the scientific accuracy and integrity of all visual assets created.

• Collaboration extends to project managers, brand teams, and potentially external agencies or vendors. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Design: Emphasis on translating complex scientific data into clear, accurate, and impactful visuals.

• Brand Consistency: Strict adherence to established brand and style guidelines for all scientific communications.

• Collaborative Workflow: Close partnership with subject matter experts (medical writers) to ensure content accuracy and alignment with project objectives.

• Process Optimization: Focus on developing and maintaining templates and efficient workflows to meet project deadlines and enhance team productivity.

Company Website: www.abbvie.com

📝 Enhancement Note: AbbVie's commitment to "solving serious health issues" and "remarkable impact on people's lives" suggests a mission-driven culture where scientific rigor and patient focus are paramount. For a graphic designer, this translates to a responsibility to communicate complex scientific information with the highest degree of accuracy and ethical consideration.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role, likely a Grade 14, represents a mid-to-senior level position for a Graphic Designer. It demands a high degree of autonomy in design execution and project management within its specific domain, while also requiring strong collaborative skills.

Reporting Structure: The Graphic Designer will likely report to a Manager or Director within the Global Scientific Publications department. This manager will oversee project assignments, performance evaluations, and career development guidance.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer's impact is critical in ensuring that AbbVie's scientific findings and research are communicated effectively to key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulatory bodies. High-quality visual assets enhance the credibility and understanding of scientific data, directly supporting AbbVie's mission and business objectives in its therapeutic areas.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in scientific illustration, data visualization, or specific therapeutic areas.

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior Graphic Designer role, mentoring junior designers, or taking on lead design responsibilities for major projects.

• Cross-Functional Movement: Potentially move into roles focused on medical communications, marketing design, or project management within scientific affairs.

• Skill Development: Opportunities for training in advanced design software, new visualization techniques, or project management methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Grade 14" designation suggests a level of responsibility and expertise beyond an entry-level position. Career growth will likely involve increasing complexity of projects, greater strategic input, and potentially leadership responsibilities within the design function for scientific publications.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site position located in Chicago, Illinois. The work environment is likely within a corporate office setting typical of a large biopharmaceutical company.

Office Location(s): AbbVie's primary presence in Chicago is likely in a corporate campus or office building designed to foster collaboration and innovation.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment will likely include collaborative areas, meeting rooms, and individual workspaces designed to support team interaction and focused design work.

• Technology: Access to industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office), high-performance workstations, and potentially digital asset management systems.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with medical writers, publication planners, and other members of the scientific publications team, fostering a dynamic and communicative work environment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is likely 40 hours per week. However, given the deadline-driven nature of scientific publications and conferences, there may be periods requiring extended hours or weekend work to meet critical project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: As an on-site role, the expectation is for active participation in the physical office environment, contributing to team synergy and immediate problem-solving. The Chicago location offers access to a vibrant professional community and potential for networking within the life sciences sector.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager focusing on your experience, approach to design challenges, and understanding of scientific communication.

• Portfolio Review & Technical Assessment: A key stage where you will present your portfolio to a panel (likely including designers and medical writers). Be prepared to discuss your process, design rationale, and how you ensure accuracy. A practical design exercise (e.g., designing a slide or figure based on provided data) may be included.

• Team/Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with potential colleagues and stakeholders (e.g., medical writers) to assess collaboration and communication skills.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership or HR for final approval.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best showcase your skills in PowerPoint, InDesign, Illustrator, data visualization, and scientific communication. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell the Story: For each project, explain the objective, your role, the challenges, your design process, and the outcome. Quantify impact where possible (e.g., "improved clarity," "met strict conference deadlines").

• Highlight Scientific Acumen: Demonstrate your ability to understand and translate complex scientific data. Show how you ensured accuracy and enhanced comprehension.

• Showcase Process: Be ready to discuss your workflow, how you manage feedback, and how you collaborate with subject matter experts.

• Professional Presentation: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate, whether it's a digital presentation or a PDF.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: Review AbbVie's therapeutic areas and recent publications if possible. Familiarize yourself with typical scientific poster layouts and presentation structures.

• Practice Data Interpretation: Be ready to quickly interpret sample scientific data (charts, tables) and propose visual solutions.

• Refine Communication: Practice articulating your design decisions clearly and concisely, especially when explaining technical or scientific concepts.

• Time Management: If a design exercise is given, allocate your time wisely between understanding the brief, designing, and preparing to present your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is paramount. Candidates should prepare a presentation that not only showcases their design talent but also their understanding of scientific communication principles and their ability to collaborate effectively with scientific professionals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Advanced proficiency required for creating complex scientific presentations, including custom graphics, data tables, and infographics.

• Adobe Creative Suite:

  • InDesign: Essential for layout and formatting of scientific posters and publications.
  • Illustrator: Crucial for creating vector graphics, icons, and complex scientific figures.
  • Photoshop: Used for image manipulation and integration into scientific assets.

• Adobe Acrobat: For creating and managing PDF documents, ensuring proper formatting and accessibility.

Analytics & Reporting: While not a primary focus for this role, an understanding of how visual assets contribute to the impact of scientific publications (e.g., citation rates, conference engagement) may be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this design role, but familiarity with project management or workflow tools used by the publications team could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on industry-standard design software. Candidates must demonstrate mastery of these tools, particularly PowerPoint and the core Adobe Creative Suite applications, for scientific content creation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of accuracy and ethical representation in all scientific communications.

• Innovation: Continuously seeking new and effective ways to visualize complex data and enhance scientific messaging.

• Collaboration: Working seamlessly with medical writers, project teams, and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

• Drive for Results: Commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful visual assets on time and to specification.

• Focus on Patients: Underlying all work is the mission to improve patient lives through clear and accurate scientific communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Expectation to work closely with medical writers, treating them as key collaborators and subject matter experts.

• Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing progress, seeking clarity, and offering solutions to potential design challenges.

• Feedback Integration: Openness to constructive criticism and a process for effectively incorporating feedback into designs.

• Team-Oriented: Contributing to a positive team dynamic, supporting colleagues, and sharing knowledge to improve collective output.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company values emphasize a strong ethical foundation, a drive for excellence, and a collaborative spirit. For a graphic designer, this means being a reliable and proactive partner who contributes to the scientific integrity and impact of AbbVie's publications.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complex Data: The primary challenge will be to take highly technical and complex scientific data and translate it into clear, accurate, and visually compelling graphics and presentations.

• Balancing Scientific Accuracy with Design Aesthetics: Ensuring that design choices enhance, rather than detract from, the scientific message, and that all visual representations are medically accurate.

• Managing Multiple Project Deadlines: Juggling numerous projects with competing deadlines, often linked to critical scientific conferences or publication schedules.

• Adapting to Evolving Brand/Style Guidelines: Staying current with and applying potentially changing brand and style guidelines across various projects.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Data Visualization Techniques: Opportunities to learn and apply cutting-edge methods for visualizing scientific data.

• Therapeutic Area Specialization: Gaining in-depth knowledge of specific disease areas (e.g., oncology, immunology) to better inform design choices.

• Cross-Functional Understanding: Developing a deeper appreciation for the scientific and regulatory aspects of medical publications.

• Software Proficiency: Enhancing skills in advanced features of Adobe Creative Suite and PowerPoint, or exploring new design and animation tools.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior designers or publication specialists within the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to scientific communication design. Growth opportunities lie in developing specialized expertise and becoming an indispensable partner in the scientific publication process.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for taking raw scientific data (e.g., from a clinical trial) and turning it into a clear, compelling infographic or presentation slide." (Focus on data interpretation, design thinking, and iterative process).

• "How do you ensure scientific accuracy and adherence to brand guidelines when working with complex technical information and collaborating with medical writers?" (Highlight collaboration, attention to detail, and process for verification).

• "Tell me about a time you had to manage multiple high-priority design projects with tight deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?" (Demonstrate project management, organizational skills, and problem-solving). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about AbbVie's mission and its work in [mention specific therapeutic area if known]?" (Research AbbVie's key areas and articulate a connection).

• "How do you approach receiving and incorporating feedback on your designs, especially from scientific experts who may have different priorities?" (Showcase adaptability, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit).

• "How do you see your role contributing to the broader goals of scientific communication and patient impact at AbbVie?" (Connect your design skills to the company's mission). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the objective, your role, the challenge, your solution (design process), and the outcome/impact.

• Highlight Key Skills: Specifically point out examples that demonstrate your PowerPoint, InDesign, Illustrator, and data visualization expertise.

• Showcase Scientific Understanding: Be prepared to discuss the scientific context of your work and how you ensured accuracy.

• Engage Your Audience: Make it a conversation. Ask clarifying questions and be ready to answer detailed questions about your design choices and technical execution.

• Prepare for a Design Exercise: If a practical exercise is given, focus on understanding the brief, making sound design decisions based on the provided data, and clearly articulating your rationale.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to articulate your design process thoroughly, emphasizing how you bridge the gap between complex scientific data and clear visual communication. Be ready to defend your design choices with both aesthetic and functional reasoning.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the AbbVie careers portal via the provided job link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your experience with PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop), data visualization, and any relevant pharmaceutical or healthcare industry experience. Use keywords from the job description.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select your strongest 3-5 projects that best represent your skills in scientific presentation design, poster creation, and complex figure illustration. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible and professionally presented.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice explaining your portfolio projects, focusing on the challenge, your process, your design rationale, and the outcome. Be ready to discuss how you ensure scientific accuracy and collaborate with subject matter experts.

• Research AbbVie: Understand AbbVie's mission, therapeutic areas, and recent scientific publications to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural fit.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.