Associate Scientist - Cellular Assay Development, Functional Genomics

About the role

Join a dynamic, cross-functional team to advance target and biological discovery across Amgen’s therapeutic areas. In this role, you will support the execution of functional arrayed genomic screens in advanced in vitro models, working closely with therapeutic area partners to drive impactful research.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of functional arrayed genomic screens in collaboration with therapeutic area partners.
• Perform mammalian cell culture, transfection, transduction, and functional assays to enable high-throughput screening; experience with iPSC culture and differentiation preferred.
• Optimize and miniaturize cell-based assays for high-throughput automated screening.
• Leverage functional assays, particularly high-content imaging, to profile cellular phenotypes and states.
• Partner with TD&B and cross-functional teams, including automation colleagues, to accelerate model deployment and ensure reproducibility.
• Collaborate with Amgen therapeutic area scientists to define requirements, ensure biological relevance, and deliver systems that enable mechanistic and translational insights.
• Foster a collaborative, creative, and scientifically rigorous team culture committed to delivering impact across Amgen’s pipeline.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 1 year of scientific/drug discovery experience with a track record of scientific excellence and productivity, or
• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of scientific/drug discovery experience with a track record of scientific excellence and productivity.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or related discipline, or B.S. degree with commensurate scientific/drug discovery experience.
• Proficiency with mammalian cell culture, including immortalized and primary lines; experience with iPSC culture preferred.
• Experience with gene editing/delivery techniques (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9, lentiviral transduction, transient transfection).
• Experience with cellular assay optimization and miniaturization; familiarity with plate-based assays and associated equipment/automation.
• Strong hands-on experience with functional assays, particularly high-content imaging.
• Familiarity with high-throughput screening metrics (e.g., Z’, S/B, MSMR).
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate disease biology into experimental models.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to drive cross-site collaboration in a matrixed research environment.

Benefits

Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, that may 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.

Pay

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted on the careers site. Actual salary will vary based on relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

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 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.