Scientist Cell Engineering & Functional Target Validation
- Employer
- Amgen
- Location
- Thousand Oaks, California
- Posted date
- Oct 25, 2026
View more categories
- Discipline
- Science/R&D, Biotechnology
- Required Education
- Doctorate/PHD/MD
- Position Type
- Full time
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Job Details
Join Amgens Mission of Serving Patients
At Amgen, if you feel like youre part of something bigger, its because you are. Our shared missionto serve patients living with serious illnessesdrives all that we do.
Since 1980, weve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the worlds 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, youll 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, youll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.
Scientist Cell Engineering & Functional Target Validation
What you will do
Lets do this. Lets change the world. Amgens Surfaceome Platform is advancing the discovery and validation of cell type-specific surface targets across multiple disease areas, enabling the development of targeted therapeutics through a deeper understanding of cell-surface biology.
To support this mission, the Surface Biology early validation group focuses on triaging proteomics- and transcriptomics-derived hits to define actionable target properties and guide early therapeutic modality selection. We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist to support cellular engineering, genetic tool generation, and cell-based functional assays within our high-throughput validation funnel.
In this role, you will leverage hands-on laboratory expertise to engineer target-specific cellular models, establish reporter systems, and execute functional screening assays. You will construct cellular tools through genetic perturbation and develop and implement relevant downstream functional assays to support target biology validation and early pipeline decisions.
Key Responsibilities: Scientist
Design and implement genome editing and genetic perturbation strategies, including gene knockout, knock-in, activation, or suppression approaches, to generate cellular models for surface target validation.
Engineer and characterize reporter cell lines and quantitative cellular assays to assess target expression, surface localization, protein turnover, internalization, and other modality-relevant properties.
Develop and implement functional assays using luminescence, fluorescence, and other quantitative readouts to support target confirmation, functional characterization, and early validation workflows.
Perform flow cytometry, cell sorting, and complementary approaches to verify target expression and surface localization in engineered cellular models and validate their suitability for downstream assays.
Maintain meticulous electronic laboratory notebooks, support high-throughput flow and imaging workflows across the early validation team as portfolio demands require, and present functional datasets in cross-functional project team forums.
What we expect of you
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The professional we seek is a collaborative, critical-thinking scientist with these qualifications.
Basic Qualifications: Scientist
Doctorate degree (Ph.D.)
OR
Masters degree and 2 years of relevant scientific experience
OR
Bachelors degree and 4 years of relevant scientific experience
Preferred Qualifications:
Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology or related scientific discipline, with demonstrated scientific curiosity, independent thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with precision genome editing using CRISPR systems to achieve genetic perturbation, specifically targeted knockout (KO), knock-in (KI, including functional tags and human gene sequences), and CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) or knockdown, utilizing ribonucleoprotein (RNP) electroporation or lentiviral transduction.
Experience with multi-color flow cytometry, including cellular staining protocols, surface expression verification, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).
Experience with developing, optimizing, and routinely executing cell-based functional assays (e.g., plate-based reporter readouts, luminescence/fluorescence assays, viability or cytotoxicity assays).
Experience designing experimental workflows where cell line engineering strategies are directly guided by downstream functional assay requirements.
Experience in the generation, single-cell cloning, and functional validation of stable cell lines and reporter systems.
Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary research teams, demonstrating strong organizational skills, high accountability, and clear communication.
Experience with multi-well or arrayed electroporation platforms (e.g., 96-well RNP electroporation) for rapid generation of transient knockouts and genetic perturbations.
Experience with target validation concepts, leveraging genetic perturbation approaches (KO, KI, KA) to interrogate cell-surface target biology.
Experience with membrane protein biology, cell-surface receptor trafficking, or kinetic internalization assays.
What you can expect from 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, well 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.
Apply now and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team.
careers.amgen.com
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Application deadline
External/Internal postings:
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.
Internal only posting (or Pre-ID candidate):
Amgen anticipates accepting applications until 1 week after the posting; however, we may continue accepting applications beyond this date if we do not receive a sufficient number of candidates.
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.
Company
We are all different, yet we have this in common: our mission to serve patients. This sense of shared purpose is key to our becoming one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies. It guides us as we continue to launch new medicines and reach millions of patients worldwide.
We live the mission.
We win together.
We thrive on continual challenge.
Our team of 22,000+ scientists and professionals worldwide bring distinct perspectives and experiences to all we do. We leverage our global talent to achieve together—to research, manufacture and deliver ever-better products and greater depth to our mission.
At Amgen, there is a strong correlation between our high level of diversity and performance. Because addressing issues with a wider range of perspectives and approaches leads to more creative problem-solving. Together, we’re transforming the promise of science and biotechnology into therapies that have the power to restore health.
Connect with us to explore how you can Win, Live, and Thrive at Amgen.
- Phone
- 805-447-1000
- Location
- Corporate Headquarters
One Amgen Center Drive
Thousand Oaks
California
91320-1799
