Principal Scientist - Clinical Pharmacology Modeling and Simulation

Biopharma Careers; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead clinical pharmacology modeling and simulation across development programs, guiding dose selection and study design. You will work with pharmacometrics, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and clinical teams to translate data into clear, regulatory-ready decisions.

You will influence program strategy and contribute to regulatory submissions and labeling with robust PK/PD analyses and population modeling. This on-site role is based in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree or equivalent in a scientific field.
• MD/PhD/PharmD with post-doctoral experience or equivalent.
• Advanced degree with demonstrated clinical pharmacology experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the clinical pharmacology lead for development programs, providing scientific and strategic leadership from early development through registration and post-approval.
• Develop integrated clinical pharmacology plans addressing PK/PD, exposure–response, and dose/regimen selection.
• Design and oversee clinical pharmacology components of programs (FIH, DDI, BA/BE, pediatrics, etc.).
• Lead FIH dose/escalation decisions by integrating nonclinical data and PK/PD.
• Contribute to regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and product labeling with pharmacology input.
• Collaborate with pharmacometricians, statisticians, clinicians, and regulatory colleagues to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables.
• Communicate complex quantitative concepts clearly to influence program strategy.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Regulatory awareness

Data interpretation

Education

PhD

PharmD

MD

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

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.

Principal Scientist – Clinical Pharmacology Modeling and Simulation

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will develop and execute integrated clinical pharmacology and model-informed drug development strategies that inform dose and regimen selection, clinical study design, regulatory filings and product labeling.

You will work closely with colleagues across clinical development, pharmacometrics, biostatistics, nonclinical development, bioanalytical sciences, regulatory affairs, and other functions to translate emerging data into clear and actionable drug-development decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the clinical pharmacology lead for one or more development programs, providing scientific and strategic leadership from early clinical development through registration and post-approval development.
• Develop integrated clinical pharmacology plans addressing key program questions related to PK, PD, exposure-response, dose and regimen selection, drug-drug interactions, intrinsic and extrinsic factors, special populations, ethnic sensitivity, formulation changes/biopharmaceutics.
• Design, oversee, and plan timing for clinical pharmacology components of development programs, including first-in-human (FIH), drug-drug interaction, ADME, organ impairment, BA/BE, pediatrics, and other dedicated clinical pharmacology studies.
• Lead clinical pharmacology strategy for FIH starting dose and escalation decisions by integrating nonclinical pharmacology, toxicology, PK/PD, target engagement, translational biomarkers, and predicted human exposure.
• Contribute to analysis of preclinical PK/PD data for FIH dose selection.
• Plan, interpret and present on noncompartmental, population PK, and exposure-response analyses (and other quantitative analyses, as appropriate) to support program decisions, study design, Ph1-3 dose selection, and regulatory submissions.
• Contribute clinical pharmacology expertise to clinical development plans, protocols, study reports, IBs, regulatory briefing documents, health authority meetings, INDs, NDA/BLA/MAA, and product labeling.
• Contribute to interactions with global health authorities, including the preparation, review, and resolution of clinical pharmacology questions and regulatory information requests.
• Provide scientific oversight and review of modeling & simulation plans, evaluation of assumptions/methods, interpretation of results, and communication of conclusions to teams and governance bodies.
• Collaborate closely with pharmacometricians, statisticians, clinicians, bioanalytical scientists, toxicology/safety scientists, and regulatory colleagues to ensure timely and high-quality execution of clinical pharmacology deliverables.
• Can communicate complex quantitative and clinical pharmacology concepts clearly and influence program strategy through scientifically rigorous, data-driven recommendations.
• Influences external scientific environment through publications, presentations, and participation in professional organizations, as appropriate.

What we expect of you

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

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree PhD
• OR
• PharmD
• OR
• MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable] and 2 years of clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, modeling and simulation, or related drug-development experience
• OR
• Master’s degree and 5 years of clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, modeling and simulation, or related drug-development experience
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, modeling and simulation, or related drug-development experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD, PharmD, MD, or equivalent advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacology, Chemical Engineering, or related quantitative discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation in the Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical Industry.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing clinical pharmacology strategies across drug development, including dose and regimen selection, study design, ER assessment, and regulatory support.
• Hands-on experience in Quantitative Clinical Pharmacology approaches with a focus on population PK, PK/PD modeling, PBPK modeling, and QSP modeling to inform development decisions.
• Experience designing, overseeing, and interpreting clinical pharmacology studies, including first-in-human, DDI, food-effect, ADME, special population, BA/BE, or bridging studies.
• Established track record of contributing to regulatory submissions, health-authority interactions, responses to regulatory questions, and product labeling.
• Strong scientific judgment, leadership through influence, cross-functional collaboration, and written and verbal communication skills.
• A record of scientific accomplishment demonstrated through successful program contributions, regulatory impact, publications, presentations, or other evidence of external scientific influence.

What you can expect of us

• 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.

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 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.

. Salary Range 147,696.00USD -199,824.00USD