Associate Scientist - Biology

Amgen; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement and Savings Plan

Discretionary annual bonus

Stock-based long-term incentives

Award-winning time-off plans

Flexible work models

Job summary

Amgen is seeking an Associate Scientist - Biology to advance RNA therapeutics and genetic medicines. This largely laboratory‑based role involves driving technology development in RNA delivery, applying biology and chemistry to target discovery, and supporting cross‑functional teams to deliver on modular therapeutic concepts.

You will work on nucleic acid transfection, isolation and analysis, automate RT-qPCR and RNA-seq workflows, and conduct in vivo studies while collaborating across

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years related scientific research experience or Associate’s degree with 4+ years experience or High school diploma with 6+ years experience.
• Candidates should have experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and cell-based assays is essential.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques and assays (nucleic acid transfection; protein and RNA isolation; protein and RNA analysis).
• Developing and implementing automation of high-throughput RT-qPCR and RNA-seq workflows.
• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and cell-based assays; prior primary cell work is essential.
• Design and execute in vivo pharmacology studies and related workflow implementations.

Skills

Molecular biology

Cell biology techniques

RNA isolation

RNA analysis

Nucleic acid transfection

RT-qPCR

RNA-seq workflows

Mammalian cell culture

In vivo pharmacology

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree + 2 years experience

Associate’s degree + 4 years experience

High school diploma / GED + 6 years experience

Tools

Automation tools for RT-qPCR

High throughput 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.

Basic Qualifications

Master’s degree

Associate Scientist - Biology

What You Will Do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. As the candidate for this largely laboratory-based position, you will be responsible for driving cutting-edge technology development in RNA Therapeutics and Genetic Medicines. You will work cross-functionally as you use biology and chemistry to help drive innovation in oligonucleotide drug discovery and delivery to new cellular targets. By embracing the ability to delivery any molecule anywhere at the right time for specific outcomes you will help deliver on the promise of therapeutic modularity.

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The scientifically rigorous professional we seek is an innovative experimental biologist with these qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Hands on experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques and assays including but not limited to: nucleic acid transfection, protein and RNA isolation, protein and RNA analysis.
• Experience with developing and implementing automation of high throughput RT-qPCR and RNA-seq workflows.
• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and cell-based assays. Previous experience with primary cells is essential.
• Design and execute in vivo pharmacology studies, model system implementation, dosing, sample collection, and processing.

Basic Qualifications

Master’s degree

OR

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related scientific research experience

Associate’s degree and 4 years of related scientific research experience

OR

High school diploma / GED and 6 years of related scientific research experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to independently and iteratively plan, execute, and analyze complex experiments bridging in vitro and in vivo systems.
• Show a proactive and enthusiastic desire to learn and be a part of a growing, highly productive cross‑functional team.
• Willingness to embrace and implement AI-enabled workflows to accelerate therapeutic modularity and discovery research programs.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills to give presentations in team meetings along with the ability to work in a flexible team‑oriented environment.

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.

• 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.

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.

Internal only posting (or Pre‑ID candidate)

Amgen anticipates accepting applications until 1-2 weeks before the posting; however, we may continue accepting applications beyond this date if we do not receive a sufficient number of candidates.

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.

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