Senior Scientist (Oligonucleotide Conjugation)

Amgen • Thousand Oaks, CA

1d

About The Position

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients. 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.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated conjugation chemist to expand the pre-clinical oligonucleotide conjugation capabilities of the Genetic Medicines team, with a focus on protein-oligonucleotide, small molecule-oligonucleotide, and peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates. This role supports Amgen’s pipeline of siRNA-based therapeutics.

Requirements

• Doctorate degree OR Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related discipline and 2 years of industry experience in biotech/pharma with specific experience in oligonucleotide conjugation – e.g. designing, synthesizing, and characterizing oligo conjugates of small molecules, linkers, peptides, proteins, etc. OR Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related discipline and 4 years of experience in biotech/pharma with specific experience in oligonucleotide conjugation – e.g. designing, synthesizing, and characterizing oligo conjugates of small molecules, linkers, peptides, proteins, etc.
• Must demonstrate ability to conduct independent research and have strong communication/teamwork skills in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in conjugation chemistries and site-specific bioconjugation techniques, along with familiarity with RNA therapeutic modalities (ASO, siRNA, etc.).
• Proficiency in preparative and analytical chromatography techniques (IEX, RP-HPLC, SEC, LC‑MS) for oligonucleotides, and conjugates thereof, is required.
• Experience with automated oligonucleotide synthesizers and associated processes (on-resin conjugation, cleavage & deprotection, desalting, formulation) is a plus.
• The candidate should be motivated to expand their skillset, have a flexible mindset and willing to learn oligonucleotide chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Designing, synthesizing, purifying, and analytically characterizing oligonucleotide conjugates-including optimizing synthesis/conjugation/purification protocols.
• Drive technical execution of conjugation projects from start to finish and perform hands-on conjugate synthesis (developing and optimizing conjugation strategies and purification methods).
• Serve as an oligonucleotide conjugation subject-matter expert (SME) in cross-functional team meetings.
• Train as needed, collaborate with the Genetic Medicines group and cross-functional teams to meet project objectives and timelines.
• Prepare research results for presentations, patent applications, and scientific publications.
• Prepare oligonucleotides as needed.
• Collaborate with biology and analytical teams to conduct biophysical/biochemical assays (e.g. ELISA, SPR, FRET, BLI, DSF, DLS) to evaluate target binding, stability, and additional oligonucleotide conjugate properties.
• Maintain detailed electronic lab notebooks and remain compliant on safety & required training.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior