Principal Scientist – Lead Discovery and Targeted Protein Degradation Biochemistry

Amgen; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement and Savings Plan

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Annual bonus program

Stock-based long-term incentives

Flexible work models

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead initiatives in Lead Discovery and Targeted Protein Degradation Biochemistry in Thousand Oaks, California. You will take charge of protein reagent generation and biochemical assay development aimed at advancing drug discovery campaigns.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in protein biochemistry and a track record in managing teams. You will contribute to the development of novel therapeutics while benefiting from a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits that foster professional growth.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or related with 2 years of relevant industry experience.
• Expertise in protein purification and biochemical assay development.
• Extensive experience across mammalian, insect, and microbial systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead protein expression, purification, and characterization strategies.
• Develop biochemical and biophysical assays for drug discovery.
• Provide scientific direction and mentorship to a small team.

Skills

Protein purification

Biochemical assay development

Target engagement

Protein expression

Biophysical approaches

Education

Doctorate degree (PhD) in relevant field

Master’s degree with 5 years experience

Bachelor’s degree with 7 years experience

Tools

TR-FRET/HTRF

Fluorescence polarization (FP)

AlphaLISA

BLI/SPR

Job description

Principal Scientist – Lead Discovery and Targeted Protein Degradation Biochemistry

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.

What You Will Do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this role, you will lead protein reagent generation and biochemical assay development to support challenging drug discovery campaigns, including induced proximity and targeted protein degradation (TPD) programs.

We are seeking an exceptional scientist with deep expertise in protein biochemistry and mechanistic assay development. The successful candidate will lead a small team and provide scientific leadership across drug discovery programs from hit identification through validation and optimization. Within LD-TPD, this role will develop and execute strategies for protein production, biochemical and biophysical assay development, and mechanistic characterization to support the discovery and advancement of novel small-molecule therapeutics.

• Lead protein expression, purification, and characterization strategies for challenging proteins to enable the discovery of novel small-molecule therapeutics.
• Develop and implement biochemical and biophysical assays to support hit identification, validation, optimization, and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Serve as a key scientific partner to cross-functional discovery teams, providing technical expertise across a growing portfolio of small-molecule therapeutics.
• Lead and develop a small team of scientists, providing scientific direction and mentorship.
• Contribute to scientific strategy and communicate findings to project teams and leadership as appropriate.

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The successful professional we seek is an exceptional scientist with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD) in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Structural Biology, Protein Engineering or a related field and 2 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery OR
• Master’s degree and 5 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery OR
• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven expertise in protein purification and biochemical assay development for challenging targets.
• Extensive experience in protein expression across mammalian, insect, and microbial systems.
• Strong background in biochemical and biophysical approaches to interrogate target engagement, protein-protein interactions, and small molecule mechanism-of-action.
• Expertise in protein engineering, including construct design, mutagenesis, and expression optimization to support biochemical and structural studies.
• Hands‑on experience developing and optimizing biochemical and biophysical assays, including TR‑FRET/HTRF, fluorescence polarization (FP), AlphaLISA, and BLI/SPR‑based approaches.
• Familiarity with targeted protein degradation (TPD) and induced proximity modalities.
• Track record of effective collaboration within cross‑functional discovery teams and managing priorities across multiple discovery programs.

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.

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.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

EEO Statement

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.