Senior Scientist – Functional Genomics

Amgen; Thousand Oaks (CA); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Medical, dental & vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Stock-based incentives

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Amgen in Thousand Oaks, CA is seeking a Senior Scientist in Functional Genomics to develop and apply genome engineering technologies that accelerate target discovery and deepen our understanding of disease biology.

You will design and optimize AAV and lentiviral vectors, apply CRISPR-based perturbations in vitro and in vivo, and collaborate across biology, computational biology, chemistry and therapy areas to translate advances into therapeutics.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Bioengineering, Virology, or related field.
• Strong background in molecular biology, genome engineering, CRISPR technologies, and functional genomics.
• Demonstrated expertise in design, engineering, production, optimization, and characterization of AAV and/or lentiviral vectors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement next-generation viral vector platform and genome engineering technologies to expand functional genomics capabilities and accelerate target discovery.
• Design, engineer, produce, optimize, and characterize AAV and lentiviral vectors for genetic perturbation applications, including gene overexpression and CRISPR-based genome engineering, in vitro and in vivo models.
• Design and execute innovative molecular biology and functional genomics experiments supporting target discovery, validation, and mechanistic studies.
• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret experimental studies, communicating findings to multidisciplinary discovery teams.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies in genome engineering, viral vector engineering, and functional genomics to enhance discovery capabilities.
• Collaborate with scientists across biology, computational biology, chemistry, and therapeutic areas to solve challenging biological problems.

Skills

Molecular biology

Genome engineering

CRISPR technologies

Functional genomics

Collaborative problem solving

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/Genetics/Bioengineering/Virology

Post‑doc or industry experience

Tools

AAV vectors

Lentiviral vectors

Genomic perturbation tools

Job description

Career Category Research 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 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 – Functional Genomics

The Functional Genomics group within Target Discovery and Biology (TD&B) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to develop and apply innovative genome engineering technologies that accelerate therapeutic target discovery and deepen our understanding of disease biology across multiple therapeutic areas. In this role, you will have the opportunity to establish and advance innovative functional genomics capabilities that are broadly deployed across discovery programs, enabling target identification, validation, and mechanistic studies. Working in a highly collaborative research environment, you will partner with multidisciplinary teams to translate cutting-edge technologies into impactful biological discoveries that advance the next generation of therapeutics.

We are seeking a creative and technically accomplished molecular biologist with expertise in molecular biology, genome engineering, and functional genomics. Demonstrated expertise in the design, engineering, production, optimization, and characterization of viral vectors—particularly adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral vectors—is required. Candidates with exceptional molecular biology expertise and a demonstrated ability to rapidly develop viral vector engineering capabilities are also encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement next-generation viral vector platform and genome engineering technologies to expand functional genomics capabilities and accelerate target discovery.
• Design, engineer, produce, optimize, and characterize AAV and lentiviral vectors for genetic perturbation applications, including gene overexpression and CRISPR-based genome engineering (e.g., knockout, activation, and other emerging approaches), in both in vitro and in vivo model systems.
• Design and execute innovative molecular biology and functional genomics experiments supporting target discovery, target validation, and mechanistic studies.
• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret experimental studies, communicating findings and biological insights to multidisciplinary discovery teams.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies in genome engineering, viral vector engineering, and functional genomics to enhance discovery capabilities.
• Collaborate effectively with scientists across biology, computational biology, chemistry, and therapeutic area teams to solve challenging biological problems.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek is a scientist with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree [and relevant post‑doc where applicable] OR Master's degree and 3 years of scientific experience OR Bachelor's degree and 5 years of scientific experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Bioengineering, Virology, or a related discipline with 1–2 years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry research experience.
• Strong background in molecular biology, genome engineering, CRISPR technologies, and functional genomics.
• Demonstrated expertise in design, engineering, production, optimization, and characterization of AAV and/or lentiviral vectors is strongly preferred.
• Experience applying viral vector technologies to support in vitro and in vivo CRISPR-based genetic perturbation studies.
• Expertise in molecular cloning, construct design, and development of genetic tools.
• Excellent experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated scientific creativity, innovation, and success in a multidisciplinary research environment.

What you can expect from us

From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

• 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.

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.

Salary Range 127,121.75USD – 171,988.25 USD

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

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.

Accommodations

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.

About Amgen

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