Director - Targeted Protein Degradation

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefits package

Stock-based long-term incentives

Flexible work models

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Director for its Targeted Protein Degradation team to lead scientific strategy and innovation within the Induced Proximity Platform. This role requires a recognized leader in targeted protein degradation with experience in managing teams and translating scientific advancements into practical drug discoveries.

The successful candidate will oversee a multidisciplinary team, driving developments and establishing partnerships to expand capabilities in drug discovery, ensuring the application of cutting-edge research to address high-value therapeutic targets.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or equivalent experience in relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience managing teams and resources.
• Track record in drug discovery or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Define the strategic vision for targeted protein degradation.
• Build and mentor a team of scientists in relevant fields.
• Drive innovation in induced proximity therapeutics.

Skills

Leadership

Targeted protein degradation expertise

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Chemical biology

Education

Doctorate degree

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Director - Targeted Protein Degradation

What you will do

Lets do this. Lets change the world. The Induced Proximity Platform (IPP) is advancing novel therapeutic modalities that leverage proximity-driven mechanisms to modulate biology in ways not achievable with conventional approaches. By integrating expertise in chemical biology, protein degradation, molecular glues, computational sciences, proteomics, and translational biology, IPP is creating new opportunities to address high-value targets and unlock transformative medicines for patients.

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Director of Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) to provide scientific leadership for Amgen's targeted protein degradation strategy within IPP. Reporting directly to the Head of IPP, this individual will define and execute a bold scientific vision, build next‑generation capabilities, establish strategic partnerships, and drive innovation across the rapidly evolving field of induced proximity therapeutics.

The successful candidate will be a recognized leader in targeted protein degradation, chemical biology, or related disciplines, with a demonstrated track record of translating pioneering science into impactful drug‑discovery opportunities.

Scientific and Strategic Leadership

• Build upon Amgen's differentiated Induced Proximity Platform to define and execute a long‑term scientific vision for targeted protein degradation and proximity‑based therapeutics, expanding the reach of the degrader platform into new biological spaces, therapeutic opportunities, and modalities while strengthening Amgen's leadership in next‑generation drug discovery.
• Establish a differentiated scientific strategy that identifies where degradation and proximity‑based mechanisms can uniquely address high‑value biological targets and disease pathways beyond the reach of conventional therapeutic approaches.
• Drive innovation across the targeted protein degradation landscape, including molecular glues, heterobifunctional degraders, tissue‑selective degraders, event‑driven pharmacology, and emerging induced proximity modalities.
• Develop frameworks for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing new biological opportunities enabled by targeted protein degradation and proximity biology.
• Anticipate emerging scientific, technological, and competitive trends and translate them into actionable platform strategies and capability investments.
• Serve as a key scientific advisor to Research leadership, influencing platform investments, capability development, and long‑range innovation strategy.
• Foster a culture of scientific ambition, rigor, and innovation that expands the boundaries of what is considered druggable biology.

Capability Building and Platform Innovation

• Define and build next‑generation capabilities required to enable world‑leading targeted protein degradation discovery, including chemical biology, proteomics, functional genomics, structural biology, computational biology, machine learning, and translational sciences.
• Champion the integration of AI‑ and data‑driven approaches into target identification, ligand discovery, degrader design, mechanism elucidation, and prediction of therapeutic outcomes.
• Drive the development and adoption of novel experimental and computational technologies that accelerate discovery and deepen mechanistic understanding of induced proximity biology.
• Establish scalable scientific workflows and decision‑making frameworks that enable efficient translation of emerging concepts into high‑quality drug discovery opportunities.
• Identify capability gaps and proactively build internal expertise, external partnerships, and enabling technologies necessary to maintain scientific leadership in the field.

Organizational Leadership

• Build, mentor, and develop a high‑performing multidisciplinary team of scientists spanning chemical biology, protein degradation, chemistry, proteomics, and drug discovery.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and scientific excellence.
• Attract, develop, and retain exceptional scientific talent while creating opportunities for growth and leadership development.
• Enable a highly innovative environment where bold ideas are encouraged, rigorously evaluated, and translated into impactful scientific outcomes.
• Partner closely with Therapeutic Areas, Medicinal Chemistry, Research Informatics, Translational Sciences, Pharmacology, and Development organizations to maximize the impact of targeted protein degradation across the research portfolio.
• Drive alignment across functions to ensure efficient execution and translation of platform innovations into therapeutic opportunities.
• Identify and evaluate emerging scientific advances, enabling technologies, and partnership opportunities that strengthen platform differentiation and long‑term impact.
• Cultivate a broad external network of scientific leaders and innovators to ensure early visibility into transformative advances across chemistry, biology, computation, and drug discovery.
• Represent the IPP organization in scientific, strategic, and executive forums, communicating a compelling vision for how induced proximity biology can create the next generation of transformative medicines.

What we expect of you

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

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree and at least 4 years of scientific experience
• OR Master’s degree and at least 8 years of scientific experience
• OR Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 years of scientific experience
• In addition to meeting at least one of the above requirements, you must have at least 4 years of experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs, or directing the allocation of resources.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Recognized scientific leader with significant contributions to targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, induced proximity biology, or adjacent fields.
• Deep understanding of degrader mechanisms, E3 ligase biology, chemical proteomics, structural biology, and translational pharmacology.
• Experience establishing scientific strategies, building research capabilities, and driving organizational transformation.
• Strong understanding of emerging computational and AI‑enabled approaches in drug discovery.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic external collaborations and evaluating innovative technologies.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and leadership skills with the ability to engage audiences ranging from scientific teams to executive leadership.

What you can expect of us

From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we support your journey every step of the way.

Benefits

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, comprising:

• 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.

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.

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.