Senior Scientist – Quantitative LC-MS Protein Bioanalysis

Amgen; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen in South San Francisco seeks a scientist to advance LC-MS-based bioanalytical assays within the PKDM-BA group. You will develop and apply quantitative assays to characterize target proteins, biomarker kinetics, and drug-target engagement across discovery and development programs.

The ideal candidate has strong LC-MS experience, hands-on proteomics workflow exposure, and a commitment to rigorous measurement of drug and biomarker biology to support innovative therapeutics.

Qualifications

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related field with strong LC-MS training.
• Master's with 4+ years relevant experience or Bachelor's with 6+ years experience.
• Proven expertise in LC-MS method development and quantitative bioanalysis in complex matrices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and perform fit-for-purpose LC-MS assays to measure target proteins and biomarker kinetics.
• Design innovative bioanalytical workflows to support PK/PD understanding and drug-target engagement.
• Apply MS-based workflows to studies in plasma, tissue, and in vitro systems.
• Develop and adapt sample preparation and LC-MS workflows balancing sensitivity and robustness.
• Troubleshoot assay development, sample prep, and instrument performance issues.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to interpret bioanalytical data for project decisions.
• Maintain electronic lab notebook records and communicate results clearly to teams.

Skills

LC-MS method development

Bioanalytical science

Quantitative assays

Proteomics workflows

Mass spectrometry platforms

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry

Master's with 4 years of experience

Bachelor's with 6 years of experience

Tools

AssayMAP Bravo

Tecan automation

KingFisher automation

Orbitrap

Triple quadrupole / Q-TOF

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.

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

OR

Master’s degree and 4 years of relevant experience

OR

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.