Senior Scientist - Experimental Protein Design for Target Discovery

BioSpace; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Senior Scientist Experimental Protein Design for Target Discovery in South San Francisco, CA. You will build and lead high-throughput platforms for binder generation and translate computational designs into experimentally validated minibinders and antibodies across diverse pre-discovery targets.

You will integrate computational design with rapid experimental validation to advance binder discovery strategies, enable scalable library screening, and contribute to early-stage

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Bioengineering, Structural Biology, or related field; postdoctoral experience preferred.
• MS in Protein Engineering with 3+ years of experience; strong hands-on lab skills.
• BS in a related field with 5+ years of Protein Engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate computational protein designs into experimentally testable minibinders and antibodies across multiple targets.
• Lead high-throughput workflows for binder expression, purification, and characterization.
• Collaborate with molecular biology teams to establish construct generation and binder library production workflows.
• Develop strategies to format de novo binders into multispecific modalities for testing hypotheses.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to guide iterative design-build-test cycles.

Skills

Protein engineering

High-throughput screening

Cell-based assays

Flow cytometry

SPR

Mammalian expression

Expression/purification

Computational design collaboration

Data interpretation

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

PhD in Biochemistry/Protein Engineering/Structural Biology

MS in Protein Engineering (3+ yrs)

BS in related field with 5+ yrs protein engineering

Tools

Flow cytometry

SPR

Cell-free expression

Mammalian expression

Automation platforms

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 Scientist Experimental Protein Design for Target Discovery

What You Will Do

Lets do this. Lets 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 bindertarget 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

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

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree PhD
• OR PharmD
• OR MD [and relevant post-doc experience on Protein Engineering]
• OR
• Masters degree and 3 years of Protein Engineering experience
• OR
• Bachelors 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 proteinprotein interaction engineering, with working knowledge of protein structurefunction 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

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.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer

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.