Amendt is a professor in the Department of Orthodontics. He is director of the Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center and professor in the Carver College of Medicine's anatomy and cell biology department.

Amendt's research focuses on studying the expression and regulation of transcription factor genes and signaling processes involved in craniofacial/tooth development, the molecular basis of selected human genetic disorders, and the role of stem cells and microRNAs in regulating craniofacial and regenerative medicine.

He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Association for Dental Research, and the Endocrine Society.