Career Category Scientific Job Description Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients
At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.
Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline and portfolio of medicines to treat heart disease, obesity and obesity-related conditions, rare diseases, inflammatory conditions and cancer. 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.
Scientific Associate Director, Oncology Research
What you will do
Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will develop and lead a portfolio of antibody-based large-molecule therapeutics for solid tumors. In this highly visible role, you will work across Research and Development to implement and advance next-generation approaches for cancer therapeutics.
You will have direct experience leading oncology T-cell engager (TCE) and/or antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs from discovery through development candidate nomination, including the use of translational biology to inform clinical development. A deep and broad understanding of cancer cell biology—including human genetics, tumor cell signaling, mechanisms of response and resistance, and translational pharmacology—will be essential.
You will lead project teams and external collaborations, shape discovery strategy, and inspire and develop a creative, dedicated research team. The successful candidate will be an exceptional scientific leader who can translate strategy into execution, influence decisions across functions, and deliver results in a fast-paced and evolving matrixed environment.
Key Responsibilities:
• • Define and lead preclinical research strategies for TCE and ADC therapies, including identification of novel target opportunities, prioritization of discovery investments, and advancement of programs toward development candidate nomination.
• • Build and execute a cell-surface target discovery, prioritization, and validation strategy for pancreatic cancer, with the goal of establishing an innovative portfolio of first-in-class TCE and ADC therapies.
• • Serve as Project Team Lead for Oncology portfolio programs, setting clear objectives and decision criteria, integrating cross-functional input, monitoring progress against milestones, and adapting strategy as new data emerges.
• • Lead integrated cross-functional research plans across tumor biology, target validation, translational research, protein engineering, pharmacology, safety, clinical development, and commercial strategy. Apply translational biology to define patient populations, biomarkers, mechanisms of response and resistance, and development strategies, while anticipating and resolving complex scientific and programmatic challenges.
• • Lead and develop a team of lab-based scientists, creating an inclusive, high-performing environment that promotes rigorous science, efficient execution, informed risk-taking, and professional growth.
• • Shape Oncology Research strategy by identifying emerging scientific and industry trends, proposing new investment opportunities, and integrating enabling technologies—including computational biology and AI/ML—into target discovery, biological validation, and portfolio decisions.
• • Establish productive external scientific collaborations and evaluate external innovation through scientific diligence in support of business-development and partnering opportunities.
• • Communicate scientific strategy, evidence, risks, and recommendations clearly to project teams, governance bodies, senior management, collaborators, and external scientific audiences; lead development of governance materials, technical reports, publications, presentations, and patent applications.
What we expect of you
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The Scientific leader we seek is a researcher with these qualifications.
Basic Qualifications:
Doctorate degree PhD
OR
PharmD
OR
MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable] and 4 years of [Job Code’s Discipline and/or Sub-Discipline] experience
OR
Master’s degree and 7 years of [Job Code’s Discipline and/or Sub-Discipline] experience
OR
Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of [Job Code’s Discipline and/or Sub-Discipline] experience
Preferred Qualifications:
• • PhD or equivalent doctoral training in cancer biology, immunology, molecular biology, pharmacology, genetics, translational medicine, or related discipline.
• • Demonstrated experience leading at least one oncology TCE and/or ADC program from target discovery through development candidate nomination or an equivalent major discovery milestone.
• • Deep knowledge of solid-tumor biology, with experience in pancreatic cancer or other treatment-resistant solid tumors strongly preferred.
• • Broad expertise in human cancer genetics, oncogenic signaling, tumor dependencies, tumor–immune biology, mechanisms of response and resistance, and translational pharmacology, with experience building rigorous target-validation packages using genetic, cellular, biochemical, in vivo, and human evidence.
• • Strong understanding of antibody-based therapeutic discovery, particularly TCEs and/or ADCs, with working knowledge of protein engineering, pharmacology, safety assessment, biomarker development, and clinical-development considerations.
• • Demonstrated ability to independently define decision-enabling experiments, establish clear success and stop criteria, interpret complex datasets, and translate evidence into balanced program and portfolio recommendations.
• • Proven success leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed drug-discovery environment and managing, mentoring, and developing scientists within inclusive, high-performing teams; able to lead through change while balancing scientific rigor, speed, and portfolio impact.
• • Track record of external collaboration, scientific diligence, and influential scientific communication, supported by publications, patents, invited presentations, or recognition as a subject-matter expert.
What you can expect of us
As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.
The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.
In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities 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. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.
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Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.
careers.amgen.com
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Application deadline
Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.
As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.
Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with legal requirements. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Amgen will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.Salary Range 190,951.65USD -258,346.35 USD