Senior Scientist, Stem Cell Model Engineering( Contract)

Amgen SA; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen in the Vancouver area seeks a Sr. Scientist, Stem Cell Model Engineering, to join the Predictive Biology team.

You will develop, optimize, and validate iPSC-derived models for target discovery and translational research. Apply expertise in iPSC differentiation, cell biology, and CRISPR-assisted lines to build robust human model systems, from single cell types to multicellular cultures, with a focus on reproducible workflows.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot iPSC differentiation into tissue-relevant cell types.
• Establish scalable differentiation workflows with reproducibility across experiments and cell lines.
• Define quality control strategies to assess pluripotency, identity, maturation, and tissue function.
• Identify sources of variability and address culture conditions and lineage differences.
• Develop complex human model systems including co-cultures and 3D cultures.
• Collaborate with gene editing experts on CRISPR-edited lines when needed.
• Communicate model performance and risks to multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

iPSC culture

CRISPR editing

cell biology

differentiation protocols

3D cultures/organoids

Education

PhD in related discipline

MSc with 5+ years experience

BSc with 8+ years experience

Tools

CRISPR-based workflows

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.

Sr. Scientist , Stem Cell Model Engineeringm

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will join the Predictive Biology team as a hands‑on scientist focused on developing, optimizing, and validating human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived models for target discovery, target validation, and translational research. You will apply expertise in iPSC differentiation and cell biology to build robust, scalable, and biologically relevant human model systems, ranging from individual differentiated cell types to more complex multicellular models.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot differentiation of human iPSCs into tissue-relevant cell types for discovery and translational research.
• Establish robust and scalable differentiation workflows, with emphasis on reproducibility across experiments, iPSC lines, and increasing experimental scale.
• Define and execute fit‑for‑purpose quality control and validation strategies to assess cell identity, differentiation state, maturation, purity, and tissue‑specific function.
• Identify and troubleshoot biological and technical sources of variability, including differentiation efficiency, line‑to‑line variability, culture conditions, maturation, and loss of phenotype.
• Develop increasingly complex human model systems, including co‑cultures, multicellular models, 3D cultures, or other tissue‑relevant systems, as appropriate to the biological question.
• Contribute to genetically defined iPSC models, including CRISPR‑edited or disease‑relevant lines, where appropriate, and partner with genetic engineering experts when needed.
• Drive continuous improvement of iPSC workflows and communicate model performance, limitations, technical risks, timelines, and readiness to multidisciplinary project teams.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. 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 of postdoctoral and/or industry experience in stem cell biology, developmental biology, cell biology, bioengineering, molecular biology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands‑on expertise in human iPSC culture and differentiation, including optimization and troubleshooting of differentiation protocols.
• Experience differentiating iPSCs into one or more specialized human cell types; experience across multiple tissue or cell lineages is preferred.
• Strong understanding of iPSC and differentiated‑cell quality control, including assessment of pluripotency, genomic integrity, cell identity, differentiation state, purity, maturation, and functional phenotype.
• Experience developing reproducible and scalable cell‑based workflows, ideally including applications involving multiple cell lines, experimental conditions, screening, automation, or higher‑throughput studies.
• Experience developing or working with complex human cell models, such as co‑cultures, multicellular systems, 3D cultures, organoids/assembloids, or tissue‑like models.
• Experience with CRISPR‑based genome editing of iPSCs is preferred

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.