Senior Scientist – Quantitative LC-MS Protein Bioanalysis

MedDeviceJobs; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen seeks a scientist in Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism – Bioanalytical Sciences (PKDM-BA) to develop and apply LC-MS-based bioanalytical assays for endogenous proteins, proteoforms, and target-drug complexes. The role spans discovery to regulatory support, requiring creativity in workflow development and a strong quantitative mindset.

The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams to understand drug-target interactions, protein turnover, and biomarker kinetics,

Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related field with focus on LC-MS.
• MS-based bioanalytical experience and peptide/protein analysis.
• Strong background in quantitative bioanalysis in complex matrices.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and perform LC-MS assays for target proteins across biological matrices.
• Design and implement bioanalytical strategies to study drug-target interactions and biomarker kinetics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support PK/PD and translational biomarker programs.
• Troubleshoot assay development, preparation workflows, and instrument performance issues.
• Maintain records and communicate results to project teams.

Skills

LC-MS

Quantitative bioanalysis

Analytical Chemistry

Proteomics

Biochemistry

Drug target biology

Communication

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Q-TOF

Orbitrap

Triple quadrupole

LC-MS instruments

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.

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will join the Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism – Bioanalytical Sciences (PKDM-BA) group to advance Amgen’s growing research portfolio. The successful candidate will develop and apply innovative, fit-for-purpose LC-MS-based bioanalytical assays for characterization of endogenous proteins, including distinct proteoforms and target-drug complexes. These assays will be used to assess target abundance, target engagement, protein turnover, subcellular trafficking kinetics, protein-protein interactions, and etc., across discovery and development programs. This scientist will be expected to identify the appropriate analytical approach for each biological question and develop new workflows when existing methods are insufficient.

The PKDM-BA team works in close partnership with cross-functional teams to support candidate selection, preclinical development, clinical evaluation, and regulatory submissions, including IND and NDA filings.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and perform fit-for-purpose quantitative LC-MS assays to measure target proteins for the assessment of target abundance, target engagement, protein turnover, subcellular trafficking kinetics, protein-protein interactions, and etc.
• Design and implement innovative bioanalytical strategies and workflows that support mechanistic understanding of drug-target interactions, pathway modulation, pharmacodynamic responses, and biomarker kinetics.
• Apply quantitative mass spectrometry-based workflows to support studies in complex biological matrices, including plasma, tissue, and in vitro systems.
• Develop and adapt sample preparation, enrichment, and LC-MS workflows based on the intended biological question and assay requirements, balancing sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, and turnaround time.
• Independently troubleshoot assay development, sample preparation, data quality, and LC-MS instrument performance issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to interpret bioanalytical data in the context of PK/PD, translational biomarkers, target biology, and mechanisms of action.
• Maintain accurate electronic laboratory notebook records, prepare technical reports, and communicate scientific results clearly to project teams and stakeholders.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The scientific professional we seek will bring strong quantitative bioanalytical expertise, hands-on LC-MS experience, scientific curiosity, and a commitment to advancing development of innovative therapeutics through rigorous measurement of drug, target, and biomarker biology.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Biology, Proteomics, or a related discipline with strong LC-MS training
• Master’s degree and 4 years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven expertise in LC-MS method development and quantitative bioanalysis in complex biological matrices.
• Experience developing and applying quantitative assays for therapeutics, target engagement, target modulation, target dynamics, and biomarker biology.
• Hands-on experience with proteomics workflows, including peptide mapping, enzymatic digestion, protein-drug adduct identification, intact or subunit analysis, and quantitative protein or peptide assays.
• Experience with sample preparation techniques such as biological matrix processing, tissue homogenization, immunoaffinity capture, and other fit-for-purpose bioanalytical approaches.
• Experience with automated sample preparation platforms such as AssayMAP Bravo, Tecan, KingFisher, or related systems.
• Hands-on experience with LC-MS platforms, including high-flow, micro-flow, or nano-flow LC systems, triple quadrupole, Q-TOF, and Orbitrap systems.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot analytical methods, sample preparation workflows, data quality issues, and instrument performance.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and data interpretation skills, with the ability to present complex analytical results to multidisciplinary project teams.