Principal Scientist – Lead Discovery and Targeted Protein Degradation Biochemistry

Responsibilities

• Lead protein expression, purification, and characterization strategies for challenging targets to enable small-molecule discovery.
• Develop and implement biochemical and biophysical assays to support hit identification, validation, optimization, and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Provide scientific leadership and mentorship to a small team of scientists.
• Serve as a key scientific partner to cross-functional discovery teams, contributing to scientific strategy and communicating findings to leadership.
• Drive protein reagent generation and assay development for targeted protein degradation (TPD) and induced proximity programs.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Structural Biology, Protein Engineering, or a related field with 2 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
• OR Master’s degree with 5 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery.
• OR Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of relevant industry experience in drug discovery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven expertise in protein purification and biochemical assay development for challenging targets.
• Extensive experience in protein expression across mammalian, insect, and microbial systems.
• Strong background in biochemical and biophysical approaches to interrogate target engagement and protein-protein interactions.
• Hands-on experience with TR-FRET/HTRF, fluorescence polarization (FP), AlphaLISA, and BLI/SPR-based approaches.
• Expertise in protein engineering, including construct design and mutagenesis.
• Familiarity with targeted protein degradation (TPD) and induced proximity modalities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions.
• Discretionary annual bonus program and stock-based long-term incentives.
• Award-winning time-off plans and flexible work models where possible.

About the Company

Amgen is a leading biotechnology company dedicated to unlocking the potential of biology to serve patients living with serious illnesses. Since 1980, Amgen has pioneered innovative human therapeutics across oncology, inflammation, general medicine, and rare diseases.