Grad Intern - Lead Discovery & Characterization (2025 Summer)

Career Category

Job Description

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll 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, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Grad Intern - Lead Discovery & Characterization (Cell-based high-content imaging assays) (2025 Summer)

What You Will Do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. During this program, you will work within the Lead Discovery & Characterization (LD&C) group at Amgen (South San Francisco) to support Amgen’s drug discovery and development. Working alongside experts, you’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge automation instruments to learn and apply cell-based high-content imaging assays, directly supporting Amgen’s RNAi therapeutic advancements.

The focus of this project is the delivery of conjugated siRNA to non-hepatic cells, which is critical for the advancement of siRNA therapeutic approaches targeting non-hepatic tissues. You will learn and utilize RNA FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) assays on the automation platform to screen for regulators of this delivery process. Understanding the mechanism of action (MOA) of siRNA delivery via receptor and screening for regulators on receptor mediated siRNA delivery using RNA FISH assay on the automation platform.

• Maintain cell cultures for experiments
• Learn and execute high-throughput RNA FISH imaging assays on automated platform.
• Understand the application of this platform in siRNA screening.
• Continue the MOA study by siRNA transfection in target cells and screen siRNA libraries of potential regulators.
• Analyze the effects of target gene knockdown, evaluating how receptor-mediated siRNA delivery is impacted by upregulation or downregulation.
• Conduct a literature review and summarize project-related findings
• Analyze, interpret, and present your results to internal teams and engage in scientific discussions with colleagues.

What We Expect of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The motivated individual we seek is a hard worker with these qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

Amgen requires that all individuals applying for a grad internship or a co-op assignment at Amgen must meet the following criteria:

• 18 years or older
• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Currently enrolled in an MBA program for an MBA internship OR a Master’s program for a Master’s internship OR a PharmD program for a PharmD internship OR Ph.D. for a PhD internship from an accredited college or university and completion of the first year of MBA OR Master’s OR Pharm D OR Ph.D. program before the internship starts
• Enrolled in an accredited college or university following the potential internship or co-op assignment
• Must not be employed at the time the internship starts
• Student must be located in the United States for the duration of the internship or co-op

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree concentration(s) in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or related subject area.
• Strong cell culture skills (Required), with experience in siRNA transfection
• Background in cell-based assay development (Experience with high-content imaging assays is a plus)
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and work independently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong interpersonal abilities

What You Can Expect of 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, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The base pay range for this opportunity in the U.S. is $30 - $40 per hour.

• Build a network of colleagues that will endure and grow throughout your time with us and beyond.
• Bring your authentic self to the table and become the professional you’re inspired to be through accepting a culture that values the diversity of thought and experience and will flex to your strengths and possibilities.
• Participate in executive and social networking events, as well as community volunteer projects.

Apply now

for an internship/co-op that defies imagination

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Application deadline

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.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, 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 and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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