Senior RNA Chemist – RNA Therapeutics

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.

Senior RNA Chemist – RNA Therapeutics

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will focus on advancing programable mRNA design, synthesis, purification, and characterization strategies to enable the discovery and development of next-generation mRNA medicines.

You will bring strong expertise in RNA chemistry and nucleic acid therapeutics and will work at the interface of molecular design, analytical characterization, and platform innovation. You will also collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to develop robust RNA technologies that improve therapeutic performance, stability, manufacturability, and translational potential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement high-throughput strategies for modular assembly of mRNA elements to achieve maximal payload expression and programable cellular performance for therapeutic applications.
• Develop and advance mRNA platform technologies, including chemical modification strategies, capping approaches, and sequence/structure optimization.
• Lead experimental efforts to improve RNA quality, purity, stability, and biological activity.
• Develop and apply purification strategies for mRNA, including experience with FPLC-based purification methods where applicable.
• Utilize and interpret analytical methods for mRNA characterization, including HPLC, FPLC, LC-MS, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, UV/Vis, and related biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Evaluate the impact of sequence, structure, chemical modifications, and purification approaches on mRNA performance and developability through functional in vitro assays.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners in molecular biology, delivery, formulation, process development, bioanalytics, and translational sciences.
• Clearly document experimental work and communicate findings through internal reports, presentations, patent disclosures, and scientific publications.
• Contribute to the development of scalable and reproducible workflows that support RNA therapeutic platform advancement.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The passionate and dedicated Senior RNA Chemist we seek is a researcher with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

Doctorate degree PhD

OR

PharmD

OR MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable]

OR

Master’s degree and 3 years of relevant scientific experience

OR

Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD + 2 years relevant experience in RNA chemistry, oligonucleotide chemistry, nucleic acid therapeutics, or related discipline.
• Strong background in the design, synthesis, and optimization of RNA molecules, including experience with mRNA and/or circRNA.
• Hands-on experience with in vitro transcription, RNA purification, and analytical characterization.
• Experience in cell culture and functional in vitro assays for quantification of RNA expression.
• Experience with FPLC purification and familiarity with chromatography-based workflows for biomolecule purification.
• Knowledge of modified nucleotides, capping technologies, circularization methods, and structure-function relationships in RNA systems.
• Understanding how RNA chemistry and purification impact stability, translation efficiency, immunogenicity, and manufacturability.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, and drive scientific progress.
• Strong record of collaboration in multidisciplinary drug discovery or platform development environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting scientific data to cross-functional teams.
• Track record of innovation as evidenced by publications, patents, or advancement of enabling technologies.

What you can expect from 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. Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.