Senior Principal Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry

BioSpace; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefits package

Discretionary annual bonus program

Stock-based long-term incentives

Award-winning time-off plans

Flexible work models

Job summary

A leading biotechnology firm is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist in Medicinal Chemistry to design novel compounds and lead PhD-level chemists. This role involves managing external teams and collaborating with a diverse team to advance the drug development pipeline. The ideal candidate will have a doctorate and significant experience in medicinal chemistry. The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package and includes flexible work options.

Qualifications

• PhD and 2 years of medicinal chemistry experience.
• Masters and 5 years of medicinal chemistry experience.
• Bachelor’s and 7 years of medicinal chemistry experience.
• PhD in chemistry with 8+ years of experience in synthetic medicinal and organic chemistry (preferred).
• Experience leading medicinal chemistry teams to deliver candidates for clinical development.

Responsibilities

• Design novel compounds for clinical development.
• Lead PhD-level chemists in drug candidate design.
• Manage external synthetic chemistry teams.
• Provide coaching and professional development within the group.
• Manage an external synthetic chemistry team and collaborate with cross‑functional researchers to advance programs.

Skills

Medicinal chemistry experience

Collaboration and communication skills

Leadership in drug discovery

Project management

Education

Doctorate degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD)

Masters degree

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

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. 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.

Senior Principal Scientist Medicinal Chemistry

What You Will Do

Amgen is hiring in the department of Medicinal Chemistry at our Research and Development facility in South San Francisco, CA (ASF) where we are building brand new state‑of‑the‑art chemistry labs.

Responsibilities

• Design novel compounds for potential clinical development.
• Serve as a Project Team Representative (PTR).
• Recruit top talent and lead several PhD‑level chemists in the design and synthesis of potential drug candidates.
• Provide motivating professional development guidance and/or coaching of colleagues within the group.
• Manage an external synthetic chemistry team and collaborate with a diverse cross‑functional team of research scientists to determine team direction and advance programs in Amgen’s small molecule portfolio.
• Regularly communicate progress and strategy in various forums.
• Be full‑time onsite at our Research and Development facility in South San Francisco, CA (ASF).

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The qualified professional we seek is a Senior Principal Scientist with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD) and 2 years of medicinal chemistry experience.
• Masters degree and 5 years of medicinal chemistry experience.
• Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of medicinal chemistry experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in chemistry specializing in organic chemistry and 8+ years of experience in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry.
• Experience participating on or leading medicinal chemistry teams to deliver candidates for clinical development.
• Track record of successful drug discovery accomplishments (e.g., patent inventorship, conference presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications).
• Proven understanding of relevant drug discovery disciplines (e.g., chemistry, biology, safety, PK/DM, etc.).
• Expert in modern medicinal and synthetic chemistry approaches.
• Demonstrated experience managing several direct reports.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills (both written and oral).

What You Can Expect Of Us

From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we support your professional and personal growth. 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, including:

• 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 a sales‑based incentive plan for field sales representatives).
• Stock‑based long‑term incentives.
• Award‑winning time‑off plans.
• Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid work arrangements, where possible.

Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team. careers.amgen.com

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.

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.