Senior Scientist - Experimental Protein Design for Target Discovery

Amgen Inc. (IR); South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Senior Scientist - Experimental Protein Design for Target Discovery to lead high-throughput binder generation and translate designs into minibinders and antibodies across diverse targets. You will build scalable binder libraries for multiplexed screening and provide tool reagents for early-stage target characterization.

The role requires a PhD with protein engineering expertise, hands-on experience in protein expression/purification and characterization, and cross-functional

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Bioengineering, Structural Biology, or a related field plus relevant postdoctoral experience.
• Demonstrated experience in expression, purification, and biochemical/biophysical characterization of engineered proteins (antibodies, minibinders, or designed scaffolds).
• Experience with multiple expression hosts (cell-free, E. coli, mammalian).

Responsibilities

• Translate designs into experimentally testable minibinders and antibodies across multiple targets in parallel.
• Lead high-throughput workflows for binder expression, purification, and characterization.
• Develop binder library production workflows and cellular assays for evaluation.
• Format de novo binders into multispecific modalities to test biological hypotheses.
• Analyze data to guide iterative design-build-test cycles.

Skills

Protein engineering

Biochemistry

Molecular biology

High-throughput screening

Antibodies

Computational design

Education

PhD in Biochemistry or related field

Tools

Flow cytometry

SPR

Cell culture

E. coli expression

Mammalian expression

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

Senior Scientist - Experimental Protein Design for Target Discovery

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will build and lead high-throughput platforms for binder generation, translating computational protein designs into experimentally validated minibinders and antibodies across diverse pre-discovery targets. A key focus of this role is the production, experimental validation, and characterization of computationally designed de novo binders. You will play a central role in creating scalable binder libraries for multiplexed phenotypic screening, developing multispecific tool molecules to interrogate novel biology and providing tool reagents for early-stage target characterization. By integrating computational design with rapid experimental validation, you will advance high-throughput binder discovery strategies and drive innovative approaches to probe emerging targets and accelerate early-stage therapeutic discovery.

Key Responsibilities

Translate computational protein designs into experimentally testable minibinders and antibodies across multiple targets in parallel. Lead high-throughput workflows for binder expression, purification, and characterization, including development of cellular assays for binder-target evaluation. Partner with molecular biology teams to establish construct generation and binder library production workflows, enabling both individual binder characterization and scalable pooled library screening. Develop strategies to format de novo binders into appropriate modalities (e.g., multispecifics) to enable testing of biological hypotheses. Analyze and interpret experimental data to guide iterative design-build-test cycles.

What we expect of you

Basic Qualifications

Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post-doc experience on Protein Engineering] OR Master’s degree and 3 years of Protein Engineering experience OR Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of Protein Engineering experience

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Bioengineering, Structural Biology, or a related field plus relevant postdoctoral experience. Demonstrated experience in the expression, purification, and biochemical or biophysical characterization of engineered proteins, such as antibodies, minibinders, or other designed scaffolds in a high-throughput or library-based manner. Experience with different expression hosts (cell-free expression, E. coli, and mammalian) is a plus. Experience in binder hit validation using flow cytometry and SPR, and in developing cellular-based assays for functional characterization. Experience working with designed binders or protein-protein interaction engineering, with working knowledge of protein structure-function relationships. Experience and interest in collaborating with computational protein design teams and translating in silico designs into experimentally testable reagents. Experience with automation platforms and high-throughput experimentation is a plus. Experience supporting phenotypic screening, receptor biology, or early target characterization is a plus. Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional discovery teams.

What you can expect from us

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. In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising 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.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statements

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. Amgen will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Salary Range

Salary Range 131,028.35USD -177,273.65 USD

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