Principal Scientist Oligonucleotides

Amgen; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Discretionary annual bonus program

Stock-based long-term incentives

Time-off plans

Flexible work models where possible

Job summary

Amgen in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Principal Scientist in Oligonucleotides to lead manufacturing process development, drive capacity expansion, and manage technology transfers for oligonucleotide programs across development stages.

You will mentor staff, collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve yield, ensure cGMP compliance, support regulatory filings, and advance innovative bioconjugate manufacturing approaches within a dynamic, science‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD/PharmD/MD) and 2+ years of scientific experience.
• Master’s degree and 5+ years of scientific experience.
• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of scientific experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary project team in developing sustainable and cost-effective oligonucleotide manufacturing processes.
• Work with cross-functional teams to expand production capacity and improve yield.
• Drive oligonucleotide technology innovation and support regulatory filings.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD

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. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline and portfolio of medicines to treat heart disease, obesity and obesity-related conditions, rare diseases, inflammatory conditions and cancer. 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 Oligonucleotides

What you will do Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will be part of DSTS group within Process Development (PD) which is responsible for the invention, development, and implementation of drug substance manufacturing processes and technologies to advance Amgen's exciting portfolio of synthetic and hybrid assets. Process chemists within our team to apply their training to invent synthetic routes and chemical processes to support drug substance manufacturing from early to late-stage development. Amgen is currently seeking a talented Principal Scientist who will who will lead the development of efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes, drive capacity expansion projects, and lead technology transfers for oligonucleotides. The candidate will drive technology innovation, provide technical expertise, and develop and mentor staff within the organization. The successful candidate for this role will be experienced in oligonucleotide process development and industrialization with a proven track record of scientific innovation and leadership within the pharmaceutical industry. The role will be located at either our Thousand Oaks, California or Cambridge, Massachusetts campus.

• Lead a multidisciplinary project team in the development of sustainable and cost-effective processes for oligonucleotide manufacturing.
• Work with cross-functional teams to develop strategies and implementation plans to expand production capacity and improve yield.
• Drive oligonucleotide technology innovation
• Support cGMP manufacturing and technology transfer to GMP production facilities
• Develop strategies to ensure process performance through process understanding, modeling and characterization
• Guide successful completion of project deliverables and ensure timelines are met
• Work cross-functionally to deliver regulatory documents and support regulatory filings
• Serve as a technical expert and keep current in the field of bioconjugate manufacturing
• Coach and provide career and scientific / technical advice to colleagues within the organization

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 PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable] and 2 years of Scientific experience
• Master’s degree and 5 years of Scientific experience
• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of Scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree and 4+ years in the pharmaceutical industry with expertise in oligonucleotide process development GMP manufacturing and technology transfer to CMOs
• Demonstrated functional representation on a CMC or PDT team
• Demonstrated ability to work within a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment to achieve results
• People-centered leadership skills in building strong teams through mutual trust and respect and exhibits Amgen leadership attributes of inspire, accelerate, integrate, and adapt
• Proven track record of publications, patents and presentations

What you can expect of us

From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way. In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• 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.

Salary Range

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.

Salary Range 141,836.95USD -191,897.05 USD

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 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.

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.

Amgen is an EqualOpportunity employer. We make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with legal requirements. Please contact us to request accommodation.

About Amgen

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology. Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential. For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen