Senior Scientist: Synthetic Biology, Molecular engineering, and NGS

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Total Rewards Plan

Flexible work models

Job summary

Amgen in Thousand Oaks, CA is seeking a Senior Scientist to advance synthetic biology, molecular engineering and NGS within our Protein Therapeutics team. You will help develop and deploy novel workflows that enable rapid, scalable design of complex biologic molecules in a multidisciplinary environment.

The role requires a PhD with strong experience in molecular biology, synthetic biology and sequencing, plus hands-on collaboration across functions.

Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD) in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, or related field
• Master’s degree and 2 years of scientific experience
• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of scientific experience
• Experience in molecular/synthetic biology
• Experience in Next Generation Sequencing
• Ability to optimize experiments and troubleshoot workflows
• Clear communicator and collegial collaborator in fast-paced lab
• Experience with automation or scripting is a plus
• Laboratory management experience including equipment and reagent management
• Experience with NGS data analysis or large data workflows

Responsibilities

• Deploy and execute synthetic biology and NGS capabilities to advance programs.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to enable design-build-test cycles at speed.
• Translate ideas into robust, high-throughput experimental workflows.
• Contribute to automation-enabled pipelines and data generation.
• Maintain clear documentation and rigorous scientific standards.

Skills

Molecular biology

Synthetic biology

NGS experience

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology / Synthetic Biology / Biochemistry

Master’s degree + 2 years experience

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years experience

Job description

Senior Scientist: Synthetic Biology, Molecular engineering, and NGS

Thousand Oaks, California, United States

Aug 24, 2026

$127,121 - $171,988/year

Scientific

Job Description

Senior Scientist (5-2) – Synthetic Biology, Molecular Engineering and NGS

Thousand Oaks, CA

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.

Synthetic Biology, Molecular Engineering and NGS

What you will do

What you can expect from us

Let’s change the world.

Amgen Protein Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Scientist to join our multidisciplinary team in Thousand Oaks, CA. Our group integrates protein engineering and design, synthetic biology, protein chemistry and advanced analytics to develop next-generation biologic therapeutics.

You are a creative, critical thinker with a passion for innovation, with strengths in synthetic biology and molecular engineering. In this role, you will help develop and deploy novel synthetic biology and sequencing workflows that enable rapid and scalable realization of complex protein designs, central to advancing the frontier of therapeutic biologic development in the service of patients.

• Deploy and execute innovative, integrated synthetic biology and NGS capabilities to advance programs in Amgen’s large molecule portfolio.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to enable seamless design-build-test cycles at speed to drive iterative learning at scale.
• Collaborate to translate early-stage ideas into robust, high-throughput experimental workflows, including opportunities to contribute to automation-enabled pipelines.
• Work within and contribute towards the success of a supportive, collaborative team engaging with a deep commitment to excellence in scientific rigor and inquiry, high-quality data generation and documentation, and clear, timely and considerate communication.

What we expect of you:

We recognize that strong candidates may bring different combinations of skills and experiences. The scientific professional we seek is curious, resilient, and motivated to tackle complex biological problems, and will have the experience that aligns with many of these qualifications. If you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply - even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD) in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
• Master’s degree and 2 years of scientific experience
• Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of scientific experience

Required Qualifications

• Strong practical and theoretical experience in molecular/synthetic biology.
• Experience in Next Generation Sequencing.
• Demonstrated ability to optimize experiments and troubleshoot molecular biology workflows with a detail-oriented and thoughtful approach.
• Clear communicator and collegial collaborator who can work in teams to achieve excellence in fast-paced, cutting-edge laboratory environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or exposure to laboratory automation and scripting.
• Laboratory management experience, that may include equipment maintenance, reagent supply, Laboratory Information Management Systems and capacity planning.
• Experience with NGS data analysis, or high-throughput sample management and large volume data analysis and documentation.

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.

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.

External/Internal postings:

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.

Internal only posting (or Pre-ID candidate):

Amgen anticipates accepting applications however, we may continue accepting applications beyond this date if we do not receive a sufficient number of candidates.

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.

Amgen is a pioneering biotechnology company focused on innovating therapies for serious diseases, leveraging biology, technology, and human genetic data to enhance patient lives.

Biotechnology Research Research Services Professional Services

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