Senior Scientist, Stem Cell-Derived Tissue Models( Contract)

Amgen Inc. (IR); Burnaby; On-site; CAD 116,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Plan

Inclusive work culture

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Amgen Inc. in Canada seeks a Senior Scientist to join the Predictive Biology team, developing human stem cell–derived models and validating tissue architecture and function for discovery research.

Responsibilities include differentiating stem cells, building organoid systems, and communicating results within cross-functional teams; a PhD with postdoc/industry experience is preferred, with strong expertise in stem cell biology and tissue engineering.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related discipline with 2+ years of experience.
• MSc with 5+ years of experience in relevant field.
• BSc with 8+ years of experience in life sciences.
• Hands-on stem cell differentiation and tissue-modeling experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop human stem cell-derived models representing tissue biology for disease versus normal comparisons.
• Differentiate stem cells into diverse tissue-relevant cell types.
• Build complex multicellular systems such as organoids and assembloids.
• Optimize culture conditions and co-culture parameters.
• Validate model fidelity with identity, architecture, maturation, and function readouts.
• Document protocols and communicate results to cross-functional teams.

Skills

Stem cell biology

Organoid models

Immunostaining

Confocal microscopy

Flow cytometry

Education

Doctorate (PhD)

Master of Science (MSc)

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Tools

Cell culture

Organoid culture

Molecular biology tools

Job description

Career Category Scientific Job Description

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.

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will join the Predictive Biology team to develop and validate biologically relevant models of human tissue using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) or primary human tissue. A key focus will be validating tissue architecture, cellular composition, differentiation state, maturation, and functional relevance to ensure models are suitable for discovery and translational research.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop human stem cell-derived models that represent tissue biology and enable disease-versus-normal comparisons.
• Differentiate stem cells into diverse tissue-relevant cell types.
• Build complex model systems, including organoids, assembloids, co-cultures, matrix-supported cultures, or other multicellular tissue-like systems.
• Optimize culture conditions, media composition, growth factor cues, extracellular matrix conditions, differentiation timing, and co-culture parameters.
• Validate model fidelity using readouts of cell identity, tissue architecture, maturation, and tissue-specific function.
• Document protocols, experimental designs, model validation data, and decision criteria in a clear and reproducible manner.
• Communicate results, limitations, and technical risks to cross-functional teams through written reports and oral presentations.

What we expect of you

The Senior Scientist we seek is a professional with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in a related discipline with 2+ years of experience
• MSc with 5+ years of experience
• BSc with 8+ years of experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD with 2+ years postdoctoral and/or industry experience in stem cell biology, developmental biology, tissue engineering, cell biology, bioengineering, molecular biology, organoid biology, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience culturing and differentiating stem cells across relevant model systems
• Experience validating tissue architecture using methods such as immunostaining, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, high-content imaging, or functional assays.
• Experience optimizing media, growth factors, extracellular matrix conditions, differentiation timing, and co-culture conditions for multicellular model systems.
• Familiarity with adult stem cell-derived organoids, Lgr5-positive stem cell biology, niche-factor-dependent epithelial systems, normal organoids, or patient-derived organoid platforms is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated scientific productivity and technical credibility through peer-reviewed publications and patents
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

What you can expect of us

Amgen is proud to have been recognized as one of LinkedIn Top 25 Companies in Canada for career growth.

The salary range for this position in Canada is $115,503 - $156,269 CAD.

• In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Plans that are aligned with local industry standards.

Salary Range 115,503.10 CAD - 156,268.90 CAD

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 focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential. For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen