Senior Director, Small Molecule Drug Discovery in Inflammation Discovery
Amgen
August 20, 2026
Remote friendly (South San Francisco, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Senior Director, Small Molecule Drug Discovery in Inflammation (Inflammation Discovery)
What You Will Do / Responsibilities
- Lead early discovery inflammation research for small molecule programs from target identification through preclinical assessment to IND and FIH.
- Provide strategic and scientific leadership across the Inflammation Small Molecule Research portfolio; advance high-impact programs through clinical and regulatory support.
- Define target- and portfolio-level strategies across small molecule modalities (traditional small molecules, degraders, molecular glues, ADCs, and emerging chemistry-enabled approaches).
- Represent Inflammation Research in governance forums, portfolio reviews, and strategic initiatives.
- Develop integrated discovery strategies connecting target biology, molecular mechanism, and modality selection.
- Oversee pipeline advancement at key decision points (biology/mechanistic insight, development hypotheses, data packages).
- Identify and evaluate new therapeutic opportunities (external innovation and internal expansion).
- Lead highly matrixed teams across sites/functions; mentor TA scientists; provide technical guidance and mentorship.
- Guide senior management on high-impact science, portfolio, and organization; foster a cohesive scientific culture.
- Maintain scientific presence via publications, presentations, collaborations, and thought leadership.
- Partner with R&D to support clinical strategy, regulatory submissions, protocol development, and preclinical/scientific questions.
Basic Qualifications
- Doctorate + 5 years immunology discovery research
OR Master’s + 9 years
OR Bachelor’s + 11 years
- Plus at least 5 years directly managing people and/or leading teams/projects/programs or directing resource allocation.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD and/or MD in relevant discipline.
- Extensive experience leading project teams (e.g., PTL or similar).
- Proven program/people/publication leadership across relevant areas (e.g., Chemistry, PKDM, Immunology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Dermatology, Neuroscience).
- Track record in academia/biopharma; experience as “target and drug hunter.”
- Strong understanding of tissue/disease pathobiology and clinical unmet need.
- Cross-functional scientific connection skills; ability to recruit/retain/develop talent; mentorship/career development experience.
Application Instructions
- Apply at careers.amgen.com. No application deadline; applications accepted until sufficient number/select a candidate.
What You Will Do / Responsibilities
- Lead early discovery inflammation research for small molecule programs from target identification through preclinical assessment to IND and FIH.
- Provide strategic and scientific leadership across the Inflammation Small Molecule Research portfolio; advance high-impact programs through clinical and regulatory support.
- Define target- and portfolio-level strategies across small molecule modalities (traditional small molecules, degraders, molecular glues, ADCs, and emerging chemistry-enabled approaches).
- Represent Inflammation Research in governance forums, portfolio reviews, and strategic initiatives.
- Develop integrated discovery strategies connecting target biology, molecular mechanism, and modality selection.
- Oversee pipeline advancement at key decision points (biology/mechanistic insight, development hypotheses, data packages).
- Identify and evaluate new therapeutic opportunities (external innovation and internal expansion).
- Lead highly matrixed teams across sites/functions; mentor TA scientists; provide technical guidance and mentorship.
- Guide senior management on high-impact science, portfolio, and organization; foster a cohesive scientific culture.
- Maintain scientific presence via publications, presentations, collaborations, and thought leadership.
- Partner with R&D to support clinical strategy, regulatory submissions, protocol development, and preclinical/scientific questions.
Basic Qualifications
- Doctorate + 5 years immunology discovery research
OR Master’s + 9 years
OR Bachelor’s + 11 years
- Plus at least 5 years directly managing people and/or leading teams/projects/programs or directing resource allocation.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD and/or MD in relevant discipline.
- Extensive experience leading project teams (e.g., PTL or similar).
- Proven program/people/publication leadership across relevant areas (e.g., Chemistry, PKDM, Immunology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Dermatology, Neuroscience).
- Track record in academia/biopharma; experience as “target and drug hunter.”
- Strong understanding of tissue/disease pathobiology and clinical unmet need.
- Cross-functional scientific connection skills; ability to recruit/retain/develop talent; mentorship/career development experience.
Application Instructions
- Apply at careers.amgen.com. No application deadline; applications accepted until sufficient number/select a candidate.