Senior Scientist - Targeted Protein Degradation
Amgen
Summary
Amgen's Induced Proximity Platform (IPP) is pioneering transformative drug modalities that harness proximity biology to address previously undruggable targets and expand therapeutic opportunities across multiple disease areas. Within IPP, the Targeted Protein Degradation function integrates E3 ligase biology, chemical biology, and molecular pharmacology to discover next-generation protein degradation therapeutics.
Job description
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to advance E3 ligase-focused molecular glue screening and drive novel target discovery. You are a creative and critical-thinking scientist with expertise in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, assay development, and target discovery. In this role, you will develop and execute molecular glue screening and validation strategies, identify novel degradation targets, characterize E3 ligase: target relationships, and translate screening findings into new therapeutic opportunities. You will collaborate across disciplines to evaluate emerging targets and chemical matter, leveraging your scientific expertise and disease biology experience across oncology, cardiovascular biology, and immunology to identify high-value target opportunities and advance the therapeutic potential of molecular glue degraders.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute workflows to validate molecular glue screening hits, including mechanism characterization and understanding of target biology.
- Evaluate molecular glue hits in disease-relevant models to identify novel targets and therapeutic opportunities.
- Collaborate with chemistry, proteomics, and other IPP teams to build and screen E3 ligase focused molecular glue libraries.
- Develop cell-based and biochemical assays to study E3 ligase biology, target engagement, and molecular glue activity.
- Contribute to project goals and timelines and communicate results across teams and research sites.
- Present scientific findings at conferences and through publications.
Requirements
- Doctorate degree [and relevant post-doc where applicable] OR Master's degree and 4 years of relevant scientific experience OR Bachelor's degree and 6 years of relevant scientific experience
- Doctorate degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Cell Biology or a related field, with 1-2 years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry research experience
- Broad knowledge of cell and molecular biology with demonstrated independent research eminence through first author publications in top journals
- Experience working with disease relevant models
- Knowledge of mechanism of action studies for induced proximity
- Experience with high-throughput screening and assay automation
- Prior experience generating stable cell lines, CRISPR technologies and sample preparation for mass spectrometry
- Experience with cell-based imaging approaches to investigate target biology, protein localization, and cellular responses
- Exposure to targeted protein degradation or induced proximity concepts
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills in a matrixed research environment
- Flexibility to work in teams to achieve project goals and meet timelines
- Strong experience with interpreting and analyzing complex data sets
Benefits
- Retirement and Savings Plan
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Discretionary Annual Bonus
- Stock-based Long-term Incentives
- Paid Time-off Plans
- Flexible Work Models
Company overview
Amgen Inc. is a leading American multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, founded in 1980. As one of the world's largest independent biotechnology companies, Amgen specializes in discovering, developing, manufacturing, and delivering innovative human therapeutics. The company focuses on six key therapeutic areas: inflammation, oncology/hematology, bone health, cardiovascular disease, nephrology, and neuroscience. Amgen's portfolio includes blockbuster drugs such as Enbrel for autoimmune diseases, Prolia and XGEVA for osteoporosis, Repatha for cholesterol management, Otezla for psoriasis, and Neulasta for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. With approximately 28,000 employees worldwide, Amgen operates as a component of both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq-100 indices. The company maintains a robust research and development pipeline with numerous clinical programs across various stages, leveraging cutting-edge biotechnology and human genetic data to address some of the world's most challenging diseases. Amgen's manufacturing capabilities span multiple global locations, and it distributes products through pharmaceutical wholesale distributors and direct-to-consumer channels.