Senior Scientist, Structural Biology

Amgen Inc. (IR); South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Plan

Stock-based long-term incentives

Flexible work models

Job summary

Amgen Inc. (IR) in South San Francisco is seeking a Scientist/Senior Scientist in Structural Biology to lead cryo‑EM strategies and deliver high‑quality structural insights across multiple drug discovery programs.

The role combines hands-on CryoEM with technology innovation, collaborating with diverse teams and external partners to accelerate therapeutic decisions. A PhD (or equivalent) and CryoEM experience are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field.
• OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post‑doc where applicable]
• OR Master’s degree and 3 years of Structural Biology experience
• OR Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of Structural Biology experience
• Experience with X-ray crystallography, MicroED, electron tomography, or integrative structural biology.
• Experience mentoring scientists or training CryoEM users.

Responsibilities

• Partner with discovery teams to evaluate samples, define structural biology strategies, and develop fit-for-purpose experimental plans.
• Perform cryo-sample preparation, grid optimization, screening, data collection, image processing, model building, refinement, and structural interpretation.
• Deliver high-quality structural insights that inform mechanism of action, molecular design, and therapeutic decision-making.
• Develop scalable, reproducible CryoEM workflows that improve throughput, robustness, and data quality.
• Collaborate across Structural Biology, Protein Sciences, Therapeutic Discovery, Protein Engineering, Computational Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Automation, Molecular Characterization, and therapeutic area teams.

Skills

Collaboration

Mentoring

Communication

Project planning

Education

PhD in Structural Biology

MD/PharmD

Master’s degree + 3 years experience

Bachelor’s degree + 5 years experience

Tools

CryoEM

Glacios 200kV

Titan Krios 300kV

EPU

Python scripting

Job description

Career Category Scientific 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.

Scientist / Senior Scientist, Structural Biology

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world.

In this vital role you will help discovery teams tackle challenging mechanistic questions by developing practical structural biology strategies, enabling high-quality structural analysis, and delivering insights that support therapeutic program decisions.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine hands‑on structural biology with technology innovation in support of biologics and small‑molecule drug discovery across multiple therapeutic areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with discovery teams to evaluate samples, define structural biology strategies, and develop fit‑for‑purpose experimental plans.
• Perform and guide cryo‑sample preparation, grid optimization, screening, data collection, image processing, model building, refinement, and structural interpretation.
• Deliver high‑quality structural insights that inform mechanism of action, molecular design, and therapeutic decision‑making.
• Develop scalable, reproducible CryoEM workflows that improve throughput, robustness, and data quality.
• Collaborate across Structural Biology, Protein Sciences, Therapeutic Discovery, Protein Engineering, Computational Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, Automation, Molecular Characterization, and therapeutic area teams.
• Coordinate activities across internal facilities, external collaborators, and instrument vendors to maximize platform performance.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies—including automation and AI‑enabled tools—to improve data collection, analysis, and workflow efficiency.
• Apply complementary structural biology approaches, including X‑ray crystallography, MicroED, electron tomography, and integrative structural biology, where appropriate to address scientific questions.
• Support and/or lead CryoEM platform activities at the South San Francisco site, including operation of the 200kV Glacios2 and user support for the 300kV TitanKrios.
• Contribute to scientific innovation through technology development, publications, presentations, and knowledge sharing.

What we expect of you

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

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field.
• OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post‑doc where applicable]
• OR Master’s degree and 3 years of Structural Biology experience
• OR Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of Structural Biology experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with X‑ray crystallography, MicroED, electron tomography, or integrative structural biology.
• Experience supporting structure‑based drug discovery in an industry setting.
• Experience studying membrane proteins, antibodies, multispecifics, GPCRs, or other challenging therapeutic targets.
• Experience developing new methodologies that improve throughput, reproducibility, or success rates.
• Familiarity with automated data collection software such as EPU.
• Experience mentoring scientists or training CryoEM users.
• Record of scientific publications, presentations, or technology innovation.
• Passion for collaborative science and continuous improvement.
• Experience scripting/coding with Python and/or other programming languages is a plus.
• Experience operating Glacios, Titan Krios, or equivalent high‑end CryoEM instrumentation is a plus.

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 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Amgen will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Salary Range

Salary Range 142,518.65USD -192,819.35 USD

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