Process Development Senior Scientist - Synthetic Peptides, Oligonucleotides, ADCs

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefits package

Retirement and Savings Plan

Stock-based long-term incentives

Award-winning time-off plans

Flexible work models

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Process Development Senior Scientist to develop drug substance manufacturing processes, focusing on synthetic peptides and oligonucleotides. Join a vibrant team in Thousand Oaks committed to innovation in biotechnology and serving patients living with serious illnesses.

The role demands a strong foundation in organic chemistry and bioconjugation, aiming to make significant contributions from early to late-stage drug development.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree PhD, PharmD, or MD with relevant post-doc.
• Experience in antibody drug conjugate, synthetic oligonucleotide, or synthetic peptide process development.
• Strong background in organic and bioconjugation chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative solutions for hybrid modality drug candidates.
• Work with teams to invent synthetic routes.
• Support cGMP manufacturing and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Bioconjugation chemistry

Analytical characterization techniques

Synthesis and purification of peptides

Synthesis and purification of oligonucleotides

Education

Doctorate degree PhD or relevant equivalent

Masters degree and 3 years of scientific experience

Bachelors degree and 5 years of scientific experience

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS

SEC

IEX

RP-HPLC

Job description

Process Development Senior Scientist – Synthetic Peptides, Oligonucleotides, ADCs

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 lie within them, you'll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

What you will do

Lets do this. Lets change the world. In this vital role you will join our Drug Substance Technologies - Synthetics (DSTS) group at our Thousand Oaks campus. Amgen's DSTS group within Process Development (PD) 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 apply their synthetic training to invent synthetic routes and chemical processes to support drug substance manufacturing from early to late‑stage development. In this dynamic role, the individual will be responsible for developing innovative solutions to support chemical and bio‑conjugation process development of our hybrid modality drug candidates, including antibody drug conjugates, peptide antibody conjugates, synthetic peptides, and/or oligonucleotides. The role includes providing technical expertise and translating developed processes toward manufacturing and commercialization. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and team‑oriented individual with a strong background in organic chemistry and/or bioconjugation chemistry with a proven track record of scientific innovation and achievement.

Key Responsibilities

• Work effectively with a diverse team of synthetic chemists, chemical engineers and analytical chemists to invent synthetic routes and develop safe, robust, sustainable and cost‑effective processes for antibody drug conjugate, peptide antibody conjugates, synthetic peptides and/or oligonucleotide manufacturing
• Drive technology innovation in the synthesis, purification, and characterization of bioconjugates, oligonucleotides, and/or synthetic peptides
• Support cGMP manufacturing and technology transfer to our internal manufacturing facilities and external contract manufacturers
• Advance enabling technologies to accelerate pharmaceutical development and to improve sustainability and process efficiency
• Ensure process performance through process understanding, modeling and characterization
• Contribute to drug substance development teams by providing experimental results, technical updates, documentation, data interpretation, recommendations, etc.
• Work cross‑functionally to deliver regulatory documents and support regulatory filings
• Serve as a technical expert and keep current in the field of bioconjugation, antibody drug conjugate, oligonucleotide, peptide, and process chemistry and manufacturing
• Work independently in advancing projects and studies within required deadlines.

What we expect of you

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

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post‑doc where applicable]
• OR
• Masters degree and 3 years of scientific experience
• OR
• Bachelors degree and 5 years of scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in organic chemistry, chemical biology or biochemistry with expertise in antibody drug conjugate, synthetic oligonucleotide, and/or synthetic peptide process development
• Post‑doctoral experience in an academic laboratory or pharmaceutical/biotech industry
• Extensive hands‑on expertise in the synthesis and purification of peptides, oligonucleotides, and/or antibody drug conjugates and experience with bio‑conjugation techniques
• Proficiency in analytical characterization techniques such as Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC)-HPLC, Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Ion‑Exchange (IEX), and Reversed Phase (RP)-HPLC.
• Familiarity with laboratory automation, data analysis and visualization techniques and tools
• Track record of peer‑reviewed publications and research presentations
• Demonstrated ability to work within a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment to achieve results
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to multitask, effectively plan and follow through on complex projects
• A research summary included with CV is strongly encouraged

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 will 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.

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.

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.