Principal Scientist – Surface Biology Early Validation Lead

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. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. 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 – Surface Biology Early Validation Lead

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. We are building a high-throughput surface biology capability to enable early validation and characterization of membrane protein targets across Therapeutic Areas. This work focuses on generating high-quality experimental data to deepen understanding of target biology and support downstream therapeutic exploration.

We are seeking an experienced Principal Scientist to lead a team focused on early-stage experimental strategies and assay development to evaluate membrane protein expression, localization, and internalization. In this role, you will guide the development and application of cell-based and quantitative assays, working closely with cross-functional partners to ensure data are robust, scalable, and aligned with discovery needs.

You will operate in a highly collaborative environment, partnering with Therapeutic Area teams and platform functions to deliver biologically relevant insights that support target evaluation.

• Provide scientific and operational leadership for a team supporting early target validation
• Lead the design and execution of cell-based and quantitative assays to discover and evaluate membrane protein biology
• Establish robust, scalable workflows to support multiple discovery programs
• Interpret experimental data and communicate clear, actionable insights to project teams
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders across the Discovery Sciences and Advanced Technologies and AI organization, Therapeutic Discovery, and Therapeutic Areas.
• Collaborate across teams to integrate data and inform target evaluation and prioritization
• Identify and implement new technologies to enhance assay robustness and throughput
• Mentor and develop scientists, fostering a culture of rigor, collaboration, and accountability

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The professional we seek is a Principal Scientist with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree and 3 years of scientific experience OR
• Master’s degree and 7 years of scientific experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of scientific experience OR
• Associate’s degree and 12 years of scientific experience OR
• High school diploma / GED and 14 years of scientific experience
• In addition to meeting at least one of the above requirements, you must have a minimum of 3 years of experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs, or directing the allocation of resources.  Your managerial experience may run concurrently with the required technical experience referenced above

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related discipline
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience, including leadership of scientific projects or teams
• Strong track record in cell-based assay development and early target validation
• Experience working with membrane proteins or receptor biology
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions to support discovery programs
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

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 where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

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.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

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.