Sr. Principal Scientist - Project Toxicologist

Amgen; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive employee benefits package

Retirement plan with generous contributions

Flexible work models

Stock-based long-term incentives

Discretionary annual bonus program

Job summary

A leading biotechnology company in the United States is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist as a Project Toxicologist. The role involves developing nonclinical safety strategies and leading teams across diverse drug development projects. Ideal candidates should have extensive toxicology expertise and the ability to interact with regulatory agencies. Amgen offers strong support for professional growth and a competitive benefits package, fostering a collaborative culture to enhance your career while serving patients.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience as a PTR for nonclinical safety sciences.
• 8+ years post-PhD experience in pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated leadership in toxicology programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nonclinical safety strategies for drug development.
• Collaborate with project teams on various therapeutic modalities.
• Mentor other scientists in designing nonclinical studies.

Skills

Toxicology expertise

Leadership

Regulatory document authoring

Communication skills

Education

Doctorate degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD)

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

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. 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.

Sr. Principal Scientist – Project Toxicologist

What You Will Do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will serve as the primary interface between Translational Safety & Risk Sciences (TSRS) and cross‑functional project teams, from early discovery through post‑marketing. TSRS at Amgen is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist to serve as a Project Toxicologist and Subject Matter Expert, reporting to a Project Team Representative (PTR) Manager.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing fit‑for‑purpose nonclinical safety strategies built on a rigorous scientific foundation and aligned with regulatory expectations. As programs evolve, you will flexibly adapt strategies in response to emerging data and project team needs while leading multidisciplinary TSRS teams.

As a PTR, you will partner closely with project teams developing innovative therapeutics across a range of modalities—including biotherapeutics (e.g., T cell engagers and antibody‑drug conjugates), small molecules, targeted protein degraders, and other complex modalities (e.g., RNA‑based therapies) for indications in inflammation, rare diseases, oncology, and cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity. PTRs are encouraged to develop subject‑matter expertise in a specific modality, therapeutic area, or sub‑discipline within nonclinical safety (e.g., organ/system‑specific toxicity).

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a core toxicology and nonclinical safety representative on project teams, providing scientific leadership and regular updates to teams and management.
• Design, implement, manage and interpret nonclinical safety assessment programs in support of drug development candidates.
• Originate novel study designs and protocols to address complex scientific questions and develop integrated strategies to achieve project goals.
• Critically evaluate and interpret experimental data and author key sections of internal governance documents, INDs, BLAs, NDAs and other regulatory documents.
• Coordinate and collaborate with internal Amgen scientists and external partners to advance research and development programs.
• Participate in licensing, due diligence, and external partnering activities, as appropriate.
• Mentor and support other Amgen scientists in the design, execution and oversight of nonclinical studies.
• Represent Amgen on nonclinical safety topics in interactions with U.S. and international regulatory agencies, and contribute to external industry initiatives aimed at advancing drug safety assessment paradigms.

What We Expect Of You

Basic Qualifications

• Doctorate degree (PhD, PharmD, or MD) and 3 years of experience as a PTR for nonclinical safety sciences within drug development teams.
• Master’s degree and 6 years of PTR experience.
• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of PTR experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years post‑PhD degree pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry experience, including 5+ years as a Toxicologist/Nonclinical Safety Project Team Representative.
• Demonstrated leadership of toxicology programs supporting nonclinical safety assessment of drug development candidates.
• Extensive experience authoring regulatory documents and interacting with U.S. and international regulatory agencies.
• Board certification in Toxicology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work independently and build productive cross‑functional collaborations both internally and externally.
• Working knowledge of emerging science and technologies applied to enhance investigation of drug development safety issues.
• Emerging or developed recognition as a national and/or international field expert.
• Demonstrated experience serving as project team representative for nonclinical safety sciences within drug development teams, including contributing to IND/CTA filings and broader nonclinical development activities.
• A strong understanding of cross‑functional needs is essential, along with the ability to develop integrated, fit‑for‑purpose plans that enable successful development of therapeutics.
• Proven experience working effectively in a matrixed organization, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.

What You Can Expect Of Us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also 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, comprising health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans for retirement and other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities. Benefits 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 job posting for specific location type).

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, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.