Principal Scientist Chemical Biology & Proximity-Based Therapeutics

BioSpace; Thousand Oaks (CA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Bonus program

Stock-based incentives

Flexible time-off

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead discovery at the intersection of chemical biology and induced proximity. You will focus on molecular glue discovery, integrating phenotypic screening, chemical genetics, and mechanistic biology to uncover novel therapeutic opportunities.

The role contributes to a growing IPP portfolio and collaborates across cross-functional teams to advance from screening to early drug discovery, leveraging omics and data-driven approaches.

Qualifications

• PhD required with relevant industry experience.
• Strong background in chemical biology and small molecule discovery.
• Experience with phenotypic screening assays and disease-relevant models.
• Able to integrate biology and chemistry to drive discovery.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery using phenotypic screening and chemical genetics.
• Develop disease-relevant cellular models to uncover biology.
• Translate phenotypic findings into drug discovery programs.
• Contribute to molecular glue discovery and induced proximity approaches.
• Design and implement screening strategies for molecular glues.
• Build high-content and HTS assays with imaging-based readouts.
• Apply omics strategies to extract insights from phenotypic data.
• Mentor team members and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Molecular biology

Chemical biology

Phenotypic screening

Proximity biology

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data interpretation

Scientific communication

Education

Doctorate in Chemical Biology/Cell Biology/Biochemistry/Pharmacology

Post-Doc experience (optional)

Masters in related field

Bachelor's in related field

Tools

High-content imaging

High-throughput screening (HTS) platforms

Proteomics / Transcriptomics

Job description

Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients living with serious illnessesdrives all that we do. Since 1980, weve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the worlds 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, youll 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, youll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

R-251294 Principal Scientist Chemical Biology & Proximity-Based Therapeutics

What you will do

Lets do this. Lets change the world. Amgens Induced Proximity Platform (IPP) is advancing a growing portfolio of therapeutic opportunities that leverage proximity biology to access previously undruggable targets. Through the discovery of small molecules that induce or stabilize proteinprotein interactions, IPP is expanding the range of mechanisms and targets addressable by drug discovery.

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Scientist to lead discovery efforts at the intersection of chemical biology, induced proximity, and phenotypic drug discovery. This role will focus on molecular glue discovery in disease-relevant systems, combining phenotypic screening, chemical genetics, and mechanistic biology to uncover novel therapeutic opportunities.

Within IPP, this role will contribute to advancing molecular glue discovery and broader induced proximity approaches through integrated phenotypic and mechanism-driven strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead discovery efforts using phenotypic screening and chemical genetics approaches to identify novel proximity-driven mechanisms
• Develop and apply disease-relevant cellular models to uncover actionable biology
• Integrate chemical biology and mechanistic studies to translate phenotypic findings into drug discovery programs
• Contribute to a growing portfolio of induced proximity-based therapeutic opportunities
• Design and implement phenotypic screening strategies to enable discovery of molecular glues and proximity-based modulators
• Develop and apply disease-relevant cellular models to capture functional biology
• Build and optimize high-content and high-throughput assays, including imaging-based and multi-parametric readouts
• Apply chemical genetics approaches to interrogate biological pathways and support target identification and validation
• Integrate chemical biology and mechanistic studies to elucidate compound mode of action, including induced proximity and protein interaction networks
• Partner with cross-functional teams to advance discoveries from screening through early drug discovery
• Leverage omics, and data-driven approaches to extract insights from complex phenotypic datasets
• Contribute to scientific strategy, present findings, and mentor team members as appropriate

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 in Chemical Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related field [and relevant post-doc where applicable] and 2 years of relevant industry experience
• Masters degree in Chemical Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related field and 5 years of relevant industry experience
• Bachelors degree in Chemical Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related field and 7 years of relevant industry experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong expertise in chemical biology and small molecule discovery, with experience in proximity-based mechanisms, molecular glues, or related areas
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing phenotypic screening assays, including high-content or high-throughput platforms
• Experience working with disease-relevant cellular models
• Strong background in mechanism-of-action studies using cellular and molecular biology approaches
• Proven ability to integrate biology and chemistry to drive discovery efforts
• Track record of scientific contributions (publications, patents, presentations)
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills in a matrixed research environment
• Experience with chemical genetics approaches in phenotypic discovery
• Familiarity with proteomics, transcriptomics, or systems biology approaches
• Experience supporting target identification or deconvolution from phenotypic screens
• Exposure to induced proximity or targeted protein degradation concepts
• Experience contributing to or leading cross-functional discovery teams

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, well 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.

Benefits

• 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.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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.