Career Category

Job Description

Amgen is currently seeking a Scientist - Analytical Chemist in our Pre-Pivotal Attribute Sciences Department in Thousand Oaks, CA. This group is responsible for early phase analytical development, including method development, method validation, method transfer, process and product development support, and GMP testing of early phase drug substances and drug products. The Scientist will work closely with a team of analysts and scientists responsible for the technical aspects of developing the analytical tools to gain understanding of key attributes in product and process for early phase synthetic programs.  The Scientist will integrate and successfully utilize platform and prior product knowledge to advance Amgen practices and ensure success from clinical candidate selection to IND filings. The Scientist should have strong analytical chemistry and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analytical method development, validation and trouble-shooting for small molecule drug substances and drug products and in-process testing
• Define analytical control strategies and implement methodologies for development of early phase clinical programs.
• Collaborate closely with drug substance and drug product process development colleagues.
• Manage activities at contract manufacturing and testing sites.
• May lead and develop a small group of scientists.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree or Doctorate degree completed by June 2022 OR
• Master’s degree and 4 years of scientific experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree and 6 years of scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, Biochemistry, Biochemical or Chemical Engineering
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry in process and product development and drug substance and drug product analytical method development.
• Strong understanding of small molecule analysis, structure elucidation and solid-state characterization guided and informed by knowledge of organic chemistry.
• Experience in a wide variety of structure elucidation and physio-chemical techniques including mass spectrometry, UV, NMR, FTIR, chromatography, particle size determination, crystal characterization, etc.
• Developing and implementing methods for in-process testing, release and stability testing.
• Experience in analytical testing requirements for immediate release and controlled release oral solid dosage drug products.
• Familiarity with USP monographs and chapters, and ICH/FDA guidance documents related to analytical method transfer and validation, impurities, mutagenic impurities, early phase development, etc.
• Solid understanding of GLP and GMP requirements and their application in a phase appropriate manner
• Experience in technical transfer for non-GMP and GMP production and testing to external contract organizations, manage deliverables against timelines
• Strong communication skills and ability to provide cross-functional leadership and guidance to CMC and non-clinical teams, e.g. informing and defending the Quality Target Product Profile
• Works well in cross-functional teams, and across various geographic locations in different time zones
• Excellent technical writing skills and attention to details in authoring methods, specifications, technical reports and regulatory filing documents
• Experience with synthesis, method development and attribute characterization for small molecules, peptides or oligonucleotides