Principal Scientist - Safety Pharmacology

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Principal Scientist - Safety Pharmacology

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. The Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences (TS&BA) function at Amgen is seeking candidates for the position of Principal Scientist to join our Safety Pharmacology Sciences (SP Sci) team based in Thousand Oak, CA. The SP Sci team supports the Amgen portfolio from target identification through clinical development, with an emphasis on developing translational safety strategies to support project teams and various drug modalities. The Principal Scientist will be part of an expert team dedicated to the development of small molecules, oligonucleotides and protein therapeutics in close collaboration with toxicologists, pathologists, and scientists within the organization. In this vital role, you will design and perform in vitro assays for various projects and present the work to cross-functional teams. Additionally, multiple opportunities exist for the new hire to grow their career by leveraging their subject matter expertise to innovate (i.e., new model development), collaborate with other members of the SP Sci team (i.e., present key finding at internal/external meetings), and engage with drug discovery project teams (i.e., advance new molecules into clinical development).

Responsibilities:

• Serve as an in vitro and ex vivo electrophysiologist, supporting investigative activities by employing electrophysiology techniques (conducted internally or outsourced) to assess the impact of test compounds on ion channels, cells, and isolated tissues, such as the isolated perfused heart.
• Provide subject matter expertise in developing fit-for-purpose translational safety strategies to address new challenges within the Amgen drug pipeline.
• The successful candidate will have an in-depth understanding of ion channel biophysics and pharmacology (especially cardiac) with proven ability to apply this knowledge in the development and validation of assays related to ion channel and cardiac function.
• The candidate will hold subject matter expertise in a particular area which could include use of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes for compound screening, dissociated primary cells, or heterologous mammalian cell expression systems, and techniques such as patch clamp, multielectrode array (MEA) recording or calcium imaging.
• Experience with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and/or programming would be advantageous.
• The candidate should have a results-focused attitude, with a track record of independent critical thinking and scientific achievement in the area of electrophysiology
• The candidate should have strong verbal and written communication skills, be highly motivated, creative and collaborative, with the ability to work in a team environment.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek is a subject matter expert with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable] in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. physiology or pharmacology) and 2 years of electrophysiology experience.

Or

Master’s degree and 5 years of electrophysiology experience.

Or

Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of electrophysiology experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Pharmaceutical industry electrophysiology experience.

What you can expect of us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Award-winning time-off plans
• Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid work arrangements, where possible

Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.

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Application deadline

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.