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Senior Principal Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Principal Scientist

Thousand Oaks, CA ยท On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Senior Principal Scientist What you will do Let's do this. Let's change the world! We are seeking an experienced toxicologist in the Product Stewardship group within our Environment, Health, Safety ...

Principal Scientist

Exton, PA ยท On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Position Summary Frontage Laboratories is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior/Principal Scientist to join our In Vitro ADME group. This is a laboratory-based position responsible for ...

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Senior Principal Scientist information

See salary details

$68.5K

$144K

$190.5K

How much do senior principal scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal scientist in the United States is $144,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior principal scientist?

A Senior Principal Scientist is an advanced-level research professional who leads complex scientific projects and provides strategic direction within their field of expertise. They typically oversee teams of scientists, develop research programs, and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge or product innovation. This role often requires extensive experience, a doctoral degree, and a proven track record of impactful research. Senior Principal Scientists also mentor junior staff and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.

What does a senior principal scientist do?

As a Senior Principal Scientist, you will often serve as a scientific leader and subject matter expert on cross-functional project teams, working closely with colleagues in research, development, regulatory, and commercial departments. Your responsibilities may include designing experiments, interpreting complex data, and providing strategic input to guide project direction. Effective collaboration and communication are key, as you will mentor junior scientists, align research goals with business objectives, and ensure scientific rigor across projects. This role often involves presenting findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, requiring the ability to translate complex science into actionable recommendations.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a senior principal scientist?

To thrive as a Senior Principal Scientist, you need an advanced degree (PhD) in a relevant scientific field, extensive research experience, and a strong track record of publications and project leadership. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, mentorship, and collaboration skills help distinguish top performers in this position. These qualifications are crucial for driving scientific innovation, ensuring research quality, and leading multidisciplinary teams to achieve impactful results.

What is the difference between Senior Principal Scientist vs Principal Scientist?

AspectSenior Principal ScientistPrincipal Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD), extensive research experience, industry certificationsMaster's or PhD, significant research background
Work EnvironmentLeading complex projects, mentoring teams, strategic planningConducting research, developing new methods, supporting project teams
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, tech companiesResearch labs, R&D departments in similar industries

Senior Principal Scientists typically hold more advanced credentials and lead strategic initiatives, mentoring teams and overseeing large projects. Principal Scientists focus on conducting research and developing innovations, often supporting senior staff. Both roles are vital in R&D, but the Senior Principal Scientist has a broader leadership and strategic scope.

What is the average salary for a Senior Principal Scientist?

The average salary for a Senior Principal Scientist in the US typically ranges from $130,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on industry, location, and experience. Senior Principal Scientists often hold advanced degrees and have extensive expertise in their field, which can influence compensation levels.
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Cities with the most Senior Principal Scientist job openings:

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What states have the most Senior Principal Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Principal Scientist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Senior Principal Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,009 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Senior Principal Scientist

Amgen SA

Thousand Oaks, CA โ€ข On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Join Amgenโ€™s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like youโ€™re part of something bigger, itโ€™s because you are. Our shared missionโ€”to serve patients living with serious illnessesโ€”drives all that we do.

Since 1980, weโ€™ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the worldโ€™s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas โ€“Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Diseaseโ€“ we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, youโ€™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, youโ€™ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Senior Principal Scientist What you will do

Letโ€™s do this. Letโ€™s change the world! We are seeking an experienced toxicologist in the Product Stewardship group within our Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability (EHSS) organization. This position has a broad reach and supports:

  • bringing new drugs to market, and
  • ensuring patient and staff safety

In this role you will mature core toxicology programs to manage patient safety and EHSS risks of Amgen products, including those from drugs, manufacturing materials, primary containers, and drug-delivery device combination products, as they advance from development to commercialization, and post-approval. Primary role includes performing CMC/Quality toxicology assessments and supporting Occupational toxicology. Responsibilities include:

  • Prepare toxicological assessments of leachable and extractables testing data as they relate to single-use manufacturing, primary drug containers, delivery devices and drug-device combination products.
  • Support device organization with expertise on biocompatibility evaluations (ISO 10993-1) and more specifically on leachable substances (ISO 10993-17) for medical devices.
  • Prepare and/or manage toxicology assessments of process reagents and excipients used in Amgen drug development processes and formulations.
  • Prepare product quality toxicology assessments to support non-conformances and product complaints.
  • Conduct or assist with patient and/or worker safety risk assessments.
  • Classify drug candidates into Occupational Exposure Bands (OEBs) for worker safety and categorize hazards according to the Globally Harmonized Standard (GHS) for Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and labeling to support worker safety.
  • Derive Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for drug candidates and documented in product Hazard Assessment Monographs, to support worker safety.
  • Monitor scientific developments and conduct desktop research including literature searches and critically evaluate and summarize scientific information and government regulations.
  • Support scientific work including regulatory compliance, trade associations, and professional organizations relevant to work assignments.
  • Coordinate Amgen EHSS contributions for influencing external scientific and regulatory activities and key initiatives such as ICH M7 (mutagenic impurities) and updates to EU GMPs (setting health-based limits for pharmaceuticals).
  • The role is hybrid, option for remote work may be available
What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The professional individual we seek is an individual with these qualifications

Basic Qualifications:
  • Doctorate degree PhD OR PharmD OR MD [and relevant post-doc where applicable] and 2 years of toxicology experience OR
  • Masterโ€™s degree and 5 years of toxicology experience OR
  • Bachelorโ€™s degree and 7 years of toxicology experience
Preferred Qualifications:
  • MS or Ph.D. in toxicology, pharmacology, or related health sciences
  • Toxicology board certification (DABT or ERT) and minimum 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry
  • Experience with the principles and practice of leachable/extractables studies, chemical characterization of packaging and device materials/components, and risk-based toxicology assessments of extractables and leachable
  • Knowledgeable of the industry practice (e.g. PQRI, BPOG), as well as regulatory guidelines and standard (e.g. ICH, ISO) to support extractable/leachable assessments
  • Research skills with literature searches, toxicology databases, regulatory databases and computational tools. (e.g., OECD Toolbox, Toxtree, Benchmark Dose (BMD))
  • Expert knowledge with resourceful data interpretation for derivation of toxicology-based limits (e.g. Permissible Daily Exposure values) and application of thresholds of toxicological concern (ICH M7 TTC, Cramer TTC)
  • Prepare toxicological risk assessment reports on product quality and safety
  • Experience in hazard/risk assessment within pharmaceutical and/or biopharmaceutical industry
  • Working knowledge of biocompatibility evaluations (ISO10993-1) for medical devices and drug-device combination products
  • Good understanding of pharmaceutical development
  • Strong scientific and technical writing skills and proficiency with EndNote or equivalent
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other computer software systems
  • Strong team building skills
  • Process driven with a strong Operational Excellence mindset and project management skills
  • Strong communication and presentation skills, action oriented, self-starting, program development and project management
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, weโ€™ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

  • A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
  • A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
  • Stock-based long-term incentives
  • Award-winning time-off plans
  • Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

careers.amgen.com

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

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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