Full-Time

Director of Oncology Research

Updated on 7/25/2026

Amgen

Amgen

10,001+ employees

Biotech company creating biologic medicines

Compensation Overview

$215.3k - $291.3k/yr

+ Bonus + Stock-based long-term incentives

H1B Sponsorship Available

San Bruno, CA, USA

In Person

On-site in South San Francisco, California.

Category
Biology & Biotech (1)
Required Skills
Machine Learning

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Requirements
  • Doctorate degree in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or related field [and relevant post-doc where applicable] and 5 years of directly related experience
  • Master’s degree in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or related field and 8 years of directly related experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or related field and 10 years of directly related experience
Responsibilities
  • Lead preclinical research for T-cell engager clinical programs and external collaborations, focused on lung and neuroendocrine cancer.
  • Build and lead a portfolio of innovative research programs focused on bispecific antibodies.
  • Mentor a team of project leaders and lab-based scientists to discover new biology, deliver robust datasets and make critical decisions for therapeutic programs and technology platforms.
  • Contribute to the identification and evaluation of external research opportunities, including business development partnerships and academic collaborations.
  • Partner effectively with peers across research and development to advance new science and integrate technology with tumor cell biology, including application of AI/ML approaches to target evaluation and biomarker discovery.
Desired Qualifications
  • Doctoral degree in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or related field with at least 12 years of experience in industry following completion of postdoctoral training
  • Deep understanding of lung cancer biology.
  • Direct experience leading T-cell engager research programs from target identification and validation to clinical candidate selection and submission of IND/CTA. Demonstrated understanding of preclinical dataset required for development candidate nomination, and experience interacting with regulatory authorities, preferred.
  • Knowledge of antibody engineering approaches, with direct experience designing and evaluating modalities including T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates.
  • Experience developing translational biology datasets and interpreting clinical biomarker data.
  • Demonstrated ability to use AI/ML to accelerate research and translational biology.
  • Demonstrated high scientific impact through publications, invited talks and patents.
  • Pragmatic, empathetic leadership style that is inclusive, develops talent, and prioritizes work aligned with our mission to serve patients

Amgen develops medicines that treat serious illnesses by using biologic therapies made from living cells. These therapies are designed to target specific disease processes, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune conditions, and are produced through biotechnology methods that create proteins or antibodies. Amgen’s products are sold to patients and healthcare providers worldwide, with revenue funding ongoing research and development to discover new treatments. The company stands out by focusing on biologic medicines at a large scale and maintaining a steady pipeline of potential therapies across multiple disease areas, supported by global manufacturing and a commitment to bringing therapies to patients. Its goal is to improve patient outcomes by discovering and delivering new, effective treatments while reinvesting a significant portion of earnings into research and development.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Thousand Oaks, California

Founded

1980

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Newer drugs drive 70% of sales with 24% growth, offsetting patent cliff declines[1]
  • MariTide obesity candidate shows ~20% weight loss with improved dosing tolerability[1]
  • IMDYLLTRA approval as first T-cell engager for small cell lung cancer validates oncology pipeline[1]

What critics are saying

  • Tavneos withdrawal likely within 3–6 months due to FDA data manipulation, risking $500M/year revenue[1]
  • Corlanor and Sensipar Class II recalls signal manufacturing deviations, risking supply and reputation[1]
  • IRS audit dispute over 2016–2018 taxes could cost $100M+ and trigger credit rating downgrade[1]

What makes Amgen unique

  • Dual-pillar model fuses innovative biologics with a $3B biosimilars portfolio funding R&D[2]
  • Biology-first approach uses human genetics and AI to validate targets and accelerate discovery[2]
  • World-class agile biomanufacturing ensures high-quality delivery across 100 countries[2][5]

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Benefits

Professional Development Budget

Conference Attendance Budget

Company News

Yahoo Finance
Apr 10th, 2026
Amgen's lung cancer drug tarlatamab wins China approval, seen as $2B+ opportunity

Amgen's lung cancer drug tarlatamab has received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration, according to its development partner BeOne Medicines. The drug is a targeted immunotherapy for adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer that has progressed despite chemotherapy. Sold as Imdelltra in the US, tarlatamab is a bispecific antibody designed to connect cancer cells with immune cells, enabling the body's immune system to destroy the cancer. Neither Amgen nor Hong Kong-listed BeOne provided details on launch date or pricing for the Chinese market. Wall Street analysts estimate tarlatamab could generate annual sales exceeding $2 billion for Amgen.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 3rd, 2026
Amgen faces Tavneos liver injury warning as Zai Lab oncology collaboration expands IMDELLTRA pipeline

Amgen faces fresh safety concerns after the FDA warned of severe liver injuries, including vanishing bile duct syndrome, linked to Tavneos (avacopan) in late March 2026. The development adds regulatory risk to the company's investment profile. Separately, Zai Lab announced a global collaboration with Amgen to test its DLL3-targeting ADC alongside Amgen's IMDELLTRA in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, underscoring the company's ongoing oncology expansion through external partnerships. Amgen's narrative projects $37.4 billion revenue and $8.2 billion earnings by 2028, requiring 2.3% yearly revenue growth. However, pessimistic analysts model revenues slipping to $34.4 billion with earnings near $5.2 billion, reflecting concerns around pricing pressure, biosimilar competition and rising research and development spend alongside the new safety issues.

Yahoo Finance
Mar 30th, 2026
Amgen stock up 24% since Jim Cramer's June recommendation, beats earnings estimates

Amgen, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, has seen its shares rise 24% since Jim Cramer discussed the stock on Mad Money in June 2025. The company is currently developing the weight loss drug MariTide. Amgen's shares jumped 7.5% in November 2025 after posting third-quarter results that beat analyst expectations, with $9.6 billion in revenue and $5.64 earnings per share against forecasts of $8.98 billion and $5.04 respectively. In February 2026, shares rose 8% following fourth-quarter earnings that also exceeded estimates. Cramer expressed cautious optimism about the biotech company, noting its mid-single-digit earnings growth and potential upside from its GLP-1 drug development. Whilst calling Eli Lilly his preferred GLP-1 play, Cramer said investors "could do a lot worse than Amgen" for a bargain option.

Yahoo Finance
Mar 25th, 2026
Wells Fargo lifts Amgen price target to $390, cites $20B myasthenia gravis market potential by 2036

Wells Fargo has raised its price target on Amgen to $390 from $375, maintaining an Equal Weight rating. The firm cited emerging therapies including CD20, BAFF/APRIL and next-generation complement inhibitors as potential drivers that could expand the generalized myasthenia gravis market threefold over the next decade, potentially reaching $15 billion in US sales and $20 billion globally by 2036. Separately, Jefferies initiated coverage on Amgen with a Hold rating and $350 price target on 10 March, noting the stock has gained approximately 35% over the past six months. Last month, Amgen reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $5.29, beating the $4.76 consensus estimate, on revenue of $9.9 billion versus $9.45 billion expected.

Yahoo Finance
Mar 15th, 2026
Amgen joins TrumpRx discount scheme and lifts dividend to $2.52 per share

Amgen has announced a $2.52 per-share second-quarter dividend and joined the government-run TrumpRx platform to offer discounted drugs including Amjevita, Aimovig and Repatha. The company is also preparing for its 11 March presentation at the Leerink Global Healthcare Conference in Miami. The moves come alongside double-digit revenue and earnings per share growth in 2025 and advances in obesity and oncology programmes. However, the TrumpRx discounting could pressure net pricing as Amgen invests heavily in late-stage trials and manufacturing expansion. Amgen's narrative projects $37.4 billion revenue and $8.2 billion earnings by 2028, requiring 2.3% yearly revenue growth. Some analysts see a tougher outlook, with revenue potentially drifting towards $34.4 billion and earnings around $5.2 billion.