Amgen’s Career Discovery Program, also known as the R&D Postdoctoral Fellows Program, is dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders. We provide an exceptional environment for early career scientists to drive innovation and deepen their understanding of crucial areas like fundamental biology, disease mechanisms, and the creation of groundbreaking human therapeutics.
Since 2015, our postdoctoral community has been a vital force in enhancing strategic initiatives across Amgen’s Research and Development. The program is thoughtfully designed to offer robust mentorship and diverse career development opportunities, spanning all of Amgen’s therapeutic areas.
Why Amgen is Your Ideal Career Launchpad
Choosing the right postdoctoral program is a pivotal step in your scientific career. Amgen stands out by offering a unique culture and opportunities that propel postdocs towards significant achievements. At Amgen, collaboration is not just encouraged; it’s a cornerstone of our research environment. Postdocs are empowered to work alongside peers and experienced scientists from every corner of Amgen, fostering a truly interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving.
Our organizational values are the bedrock of our success. We champion teamwork, celebrate inclusivity, uphold respect for every individual, and maintain the highest ethical standards. These values are integrated into every facet of our work, ensuring that the scientific method is applied rigorously and ethically across the organization.
Amgen postdocs are empowered to:
- Advance Scientific Frontiers: Engage in cutting-edge scientific and technological pursuits, pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
- Make a Tangible Impact: Produce significant scientific contributions and actively publish their findings in leading journals.
- Receive Expert Mentorship: Benefit from personalized training in independent research, guided by seasoned Amgen scientists selected for their mentorship expertise.
- Accelerate Career Progression: Successfully transition into diverse roles within Amgen, the broader biotech and pharmaceutical industry, and academia.
Explore Amgen’s Global Research Locations
Amgen’s commitment to global research and development is reflected in our strategically located sites, each offering unique opportunities and a vibrant scientific community. As an Amgen Postdoc, you have the chance to be based at one of our premier research hubs:
Thousand Oaks, California
Our Thousand Oaks campus serves as Amgen’s headquarters and a major research center, offering a wide range of scientific disciplines and state-of-the-art facilities. This location provides a dynamic environment at the heart of Amgen’s operations.
San Francisco, California
Located in the biotech hub of San Francisco, this site focuses on cutting-edge research and innovation, particularly in areas like oncology and neuroscience. Being in San Francisco places you at the epicenter of biotech innovation.
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Our Burnaby site in Canada specializes in therapeutic discovery and development, contributing to Amgen’s global research network with a focus on innovative solutions. This location offers a unique international research experience.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen represents Amgen’s European research presence, fostering collaborations and contributing to global scientific advancements. Working in Copenhagen provides a global perspective in a vibrant European city.
Enriching Scientific Exchange Opportunities
Amgen is dedicated to providing a holistic postdoctoral experience that extends beyond individual research projects. Our program offers a wealth of scientific exchange opportunities designed to broaden horizons and foster collaboration:
- Annual Postdoc Conference: A dedicated two-day event bringing together postdocs from all Amgen sites to share research, network, and foster collaboration.
- Monthly Presentation Series: Regular forums for postdocs to present their work, receive feedback, and learn about the diverse research happening across Amgen.
- Drug Discovery and Development 101: A seminar series providing foundational knowledge in the drug development process, essential for a career in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Meetings with Amgen Leaders: Annual meetings offering direct interaction with Amgen’s leadership, providing insights into the company’s strategic direction and research priorities.
- Employee Resource Groups and Mentoring: Access to employee resource groups and mentoring programs, fostering a supportive and inclusive community within Amgen.
- External Conference Attendance: Opportunities to attend and present at external scientific conferences and congresses, enhancing visibility and professional development.
- Amgen Postdoc Alumni Group: A network of Amgen postdoc alumni, providing ongoing connections and career support beyond the program.
Ryan Potts, Vice President, Research Head, Research Technologies Chair, and R&D Postdoc Program Chair, encapsulates the program’s impact: “Whether it is graduate students, postdocs, or early-career staff scientists, it is wonderful to see their hard work lead to publications and breakthrough discoveries. It is really gratifying to see the scientists in the postdoc program grow their skills and find the next step in their career paths.”
Program Structure and Benefits Designed for Your Future
The Amgen Career Discovery Program provides a structured pathway for postdoctoral researchers to thrive. Postdocs are welcomed as full-time Amgen employees for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of extending to a fourth year based on project progress and publication potential.
We are committed to offering a competitive and comprehensive compensation package that is regularly reviewed to align with leading industry postdoc programs. This includes a competitive salary, annual bonus, 401k plan, and comprehensive health insurance. Amgen prioritizes employee health and well-being, offering numerous programs and incentives to support a healthy work-life balance.
A remarkable 98% of Amgen R&D postdocs transition into industry careers, with approximately 35% choosing to continue their journey at Amgen. Our alumni also successfully pursue positions in government and academic research labs, demonstrating the program’s broad impact on career trajectories.
Ready to discover where an Amgen career can take you? Explore open positions and hear testimonials from our postdocs on our Careers site at careers.amgen.com. Join the Amgen Career Discovery Program and take the first step towards a remarkable R&D career.
