Senior RNA Chemist RNA Therapeutics

BioSpace; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Stock incentives

Paid time off

Flexible work model

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Senior RNA Chemist in RNA Therapeutics to advance programmable mRNA design, synthesis, purification, and characterization for next-generation medicines. You will work at the interface of molecular design, analytics, and platform innovation to improve therapeutic performance and manufacturability.

The role requires deep RNA chemistry knowledge and collaboration with molecular biology, delivery, formulation, and translational sciences to develop scalable workflows supporting RNA

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD) or equivalent.
• Alternative advanced degree options with post-graduate experience acceptable.
• Strong background in RNA chemistry and nucleic acid therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• Design high-throughput strategies for modular mRNA elements assembly.
• Advance RNA platform technologies and sequence optimisation.
• Lead efforts to improve RNA quality, stability, and activity.
• Develop purification strategies for mRNA, including FPLC-based methods.
• Interpret analytical techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, gel methods) for RNA.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across biology and process development.

Skills

RNA chemistry

nucleic acid therapeutics

experimental design

team collaboration

analytical thinking

Education

PhD

PharmD

MD

Master's +3 years

Bachelor's +5 years

Tools

FPLC purification

HPLC

LC-MS

capillary electrophoresis

Job description

Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients living with serious illnessesdrives all that we do.

Since 1980, weve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the worlds 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, youll 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, youll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Senior RNA Chemist RNA Therapeutics

What You Will Do

Lets do this. Lets change the world. In this vital role you will focus on advancing programable mRNA design, synthesis, purification, and characterization strategies to enable the discovery and development of next-generation mRNA medicines.

You will bring strong expertise in RNA chemistry and nucleic acid therapeutics and will work at the interface of molecular design, analytical characterization, and platform innovation. You will also collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to develop robust RNA technologies that improve therapeutic performance, stability, manufacturability, and translational potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement high-throughput strategies for modular assembly of mRNA elements to achieve maximal payload expression and programable cellular performance for therapeutic applications.
• Develop and advance mRNA platform technologies, including chemical modification strategies, capping approaches, and sequence/structure optimization.
• Lead experimental efforts to improve RNA quality, purity, stability, and biological activity.
• Develop and apply purification strategies for mRNA, including experience with FPLC-based purification methods where applicable.
• Utilize and interpret analytical methods for mRNA characterization, including HPLC, FPLC, LC-MS, gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, UV/Vis, and related biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Evaluate the impact of sequence, structure, chemical modifications, and purification approaches on mRNA performance and developability through functional in vitro assays.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners in molecular biology, delivery, formulation, process development, bioanalytics, and translational sciences.
• Clearly document experimental work and communicate findings through internal reports, presentations, patent disclosures, and scientific publications.
• Contribute to the development of scalable and reproducible workflows that support RNA therapeutic platform advancement.

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The passionate and dedicated Senior RNA Chemist we seek is a researcher 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 relevant scientific experience

OR

Bachelors degree and 5 years of relevant scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD+ 2years relevant experience in RNA chemistry, oligonucleotide chemistry, nucleic acid therapeutics, or related discipline.
• Strong background in the design, synthesis, and optimization of RNA molecules, including experience with mRNA and/or circRNA.
• Hands-on experience with in vitro transcription, RNA purification, and analytical characterization.
• Experience in cell culture and functional in vitro assays for quantification of RNA expression.
• Experience with FPLC purification and familiarity with chromatography-based workflows for biomolecule purification.
• Knowledge of modified nucleotides, capping technologies, circularization methods, and structure-function relationships in RNA systems.
• Understanding how RNA chemistry and purification impact stability, translation efficiency, immunogenicity, and manufacturability.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot technical challenges, and drive scientific progress.
• Strong record of collaboration in multidisciplinary drug discovery or platform development environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting scientific data to cross-functional teams.
• Track record of innovation as evidenced by publications, patents, or advancement of enabling technologies.

What You Can Expect From 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, well 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.

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. Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.