Senior Scientist (Small Molecule, Synthetics)

Amgen SA; Thousand Oaks, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan and savings"

Stock-based long-term incentives

Flexible work models

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Senior Scientist (Small Molecule, Synthetics) to join the Drug Product Team (DPT). You will craft and execute DOE strategies during pivotal and commercial program development, applying deep organic chemistry expertise within cross‑functional teams to drive innovative development of oral solid dosage forms.

You will interface with Drug Substance Technologies, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and other functions; design experiments, summarize results for regulatory

Qualifications

• PhD/PharmD/MD and relevant post‑doc where applicable.
• Master's degree with 3 years of scientific related experience.
• Bachelor's degree with 5 years of scientific related experience.
• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Strong background in organic molecules and their assemblies.
• Experience with solid dosage forms and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with XRPD, DSC, TGA, SEM.

Responsibilities

• Provide creative functional area strategies within the Drug Product Team (DPT).
• Craft and execute DOE’s during development of pivotal and commercial programs.
• Apply deep expertise in organic chemistry to develop fast-paced development approaches.
• Interface with DPT and other Amgen functions (Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, etc.).
• Design and execute experiments to support drug product development objectives.
• Summarize results in technical documents and regulatory filings.
• Engage with external groups and academic partners.
• Provide technical expertise on structure, reactivity, and physicochemical properties.

Skills

Publication record

Team collaboration

Research leadership

Scientific writing

Digital solutions in science

Education

PhD/PharmD/MD

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

XRPD

DSC

TGA

SEM

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 (Small Molecule, Synthetics)

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will serve as part of the Drug Product Team (DPT), providing creative functional area strategies, crafting and executing DOE’s during the development of pivotal and commercial ready programs.

• This Amgen leader will apply deep expertise in organic chemistry and their assemblies to develop innovative, fast‑paced approaches as part of cross‑functional teams.
• This Amgen’s leader will utilize deep understanding of the organic molecules and their assemblies to develop innovative and fast paced development approaches as part of cross‑functional teams.
• Interface within the DPT department and with other Amgen functions, such as Drug Substance Technologies, Attribute Sciences, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Contract Manufacturing, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, etc.
• The individual will effectively interface within the DPT department and with other Amgen functions, such as Drug Substance Technologies, Attribute Sciences, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Contract Manufacturing, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, etc.
• Design and execute experiments to support drug product development objectives.
• Summarize results in technical documents, regulatory filings, and presentations.
• Engage proactively and effectively with external industry groups, such as the IQ Consortium, and academic partners, such as university consortia.
• Provide technical expertise related to structure, reactivity, and physicochemical properties of materials (drug substance, excipients, etc.)

What we expect of you

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

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post‑doc where applicable]
• Master’s degree and 3 years of scientific related experience
• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of scientific related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field, such as Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• Strong scientific background for the deep understanding of the organic molecules and their assemblies.
• Profound scientific acumen with a focus on organic chemistry, Physical Chemistry, solid‑state chemistry, and the physicochemical properties of small molecules.
• Industry experience: Prior work in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly with oral solid dosage forms.
• Technical proficiency: Familiarity with a wide array of characterization techniques, including but not limited to XRPD, DSC, TGA, and SEM.
• Patent process knowledge: Understanding of the patent application process and the legal framework governing patents is advantageous.
• Demonstrated understanding of scientific principles related to solid dosage forms.
• Manufacturing insights: Comprehensive knowledge of unit operations involved in producing oral solid dosage forms.
• Research leadership: Ability to design, conduct, and complete independent formulation research.
• Publication record: Demonstrated history of research dissemination through publications.
• Team collaboration: Proven track record of effective cross‑functional team engagement.
• Writing excellence: Exceptional technical writing capabilities with meticulous attention to detail.
• A proactive, curious, and innovative mindset, with enthusiasm for applying digital solutions to scientific challenges.

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, 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 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.

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.

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.