Senior Scientist – Membrane Protein Biology

Amgen•Thousand Oaks, CA

4d•$127,122 - $171,988

About The Position

Amgen’s Surfaceome Platform advances the discovery and validation of cell type-specific surface targets across disease areas to support targeted therapeutic development. The Surface Biology early validation group triages proteomics- and transcriptomics-derived hits, defines actionable target properties, and guides early therapeutic modality selection. The Senior Scientist will bring mechanistic expertise in membrane protein topology, extracellular accessibility, endocytosis, receptor recycling, and intracellular trafficking. The role develops hypothesis-driven experiments to validate candidate cell-surface presentation and determine how surface density, localization, trafficking, and protein fate are regulated. Findings will support quantitative decision packages for target prioritization and modality selection. The role also involves developing cell-based functional assays, testing biological hypotheses, and collaborating across teams to address project needs. Amgen describes a collaborative, innovative, science-based culture and offers eligible employees benefits, incentives, time-off plans, and career development opportunities.

Requirements

Doctorate degree (Ph.D.), with relevant postdoctoral experience where applicable; or a master’s degree and 3 years of relevant scientific experience; or a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant scientific experience.
Strong data analysis skills, problem-solving capability, and clear scientific communication in multidisciplinary discovery teams.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Bioengineering, or a related biological discipline, with 2 or more years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry research experience.
A strong record of independent, hypothesis-driven research investigating membrane protein topology, cell-surface accessibility, endocytic trafficking, or receptor recycling, supported by rigorous experimental evidence and scientific publications.
Demonstrated experience measuring surface target density, endocytosis, trafficking, and turnover using cell-based quantitative readouts.
Strong hands-on expertise in real-time live-cell kinetic imaging systems and/or kinetic flow cytometry assays.
Demonstrated experience with microplate screening formats and scalable assay workflows, including hands-on proficiency designing, troubleshooting, and executing cell-based functional assays to evaluate effects of membrane proteins on cellular functions.
Experience designing and executing high-throughput cell-based screening assays.

Responsibilities

Validate cell-surface localization of novel target proteins across diverse cell models.
Design, optimize, and execute quantitative approaches to measure surface target expression and investigate internalization, endocytosis, receptor recycling, surface clearance, and lysosomal degradation.
Develop, optimize, and routinely execute fit-for-purpose cell-based functional assays to assess downstream biological consequences following genetic perturbation or treatment with tool compounds.
Develop and experimentally test hypotheses about mechanisms governing target protein localization and trafficking and their relationship to cellular function.
Generate rigorous Go/No-Go decision packages to prioritize targets for modality selection and screening.
Collaborate with colleagues in the early validation team and across functions to address evolving project needs.
Document experimental workflows rigorously and present high-quality, validated data in cross-functional team discussions.

Benefits

Comprehensive employee benefits package
Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions
Group medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Life and disability insurance
Flexible spending accounts
Discretionary annual bonus program (or a sales-based incentive plan for field sales representatives)
Stock-based long-term incentives
Award-winning time-off plans
Flexible work models where possible
Career development opportunities