Material Science Scientist
About The Position
Vertex is seeking an early-career Materials Science Scientist to support the development, characterization, and optimization of materials used in pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing. The role applies materials science and engineering principles to understand how material properties and pharmaceutical processing conditions affect final product performance and quality. It is part of the Engineering and Materials Science department and the Materials Discovery Group, which studies solid-form properties and their relationships to material properties, processes, and product performance. The scientist will work closely with the Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction team, supporting structural analysis through preparation and characterization of single crystals. The position also provides opportunities to contribute as a technical generalist across project teams, including as a subject-matter expert, project representative, or through ad hoc scientific support. The role involves independently conducting laboratory experiments, including automated experiments, managing priorities, maintaining high-quality documentation, and communicating results and recommendations to stakeholders. A strong foundation in physical organic chemistry and laboratory experience in crystallization and sample characterization are important. This is an on-site designated role, with work five days per week on-site and ad hoc flexibility. The position is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Vertex describes its Total Rewards offerings as including medical, dental, and vision benefits; generous paid time off, including a week-long summer and winter shutdown; educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment; a commuting subsidy; matching charitable donations; and a 401(k).
Requirements
- Strong foundation in materials science, solid-state chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, or a related scientific field.
- Understanding of the relationships among crystal structure, solid form, material properties, pharmaceutical processing, and product performance.
- Ability to apply scientific knowledge to experimental design and data interpretation.
- Hands-on experience with crystallization, solid-form screening, and material characterization.
- Knowledge of solid-state analytical techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic vapor sorption, and high-performance liquid chromatography.
- Knowledge of single-crystal X-ray diffraction workflows, including crystal growth, data collection, structure solution, refinement, and interpretation.
- Experience solving, refining, and interpreting small-molecule crystal structures using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Experience analyzing crystal structures in pharmaceutical, drug-development, or small-molecule development settings, including stereochemistry confirmation and interpreting findings in the context of solid form, polymorphism, or molecular properties.
- Experience generating single crystals of pharmaceutical compounds.
- Experience with solid-form screening, phase-diagram development, salt or co-crystal screening, or crystallization process studies.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, collaboration, organization, and scientific-writing skills.
- Ability to communicate scientific results clearly to technical colleagues and a range of stakeholders.
- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline with 0 years of relevant experience; or a master's degree in one of these fields with 3 or more years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in one of these fields with 6 or more years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Bruker and/or Rigaku single-crystal X-ray diffraction instruments and software.
- Experience with Malvern Panalytical and/or Bruker powder X-ray diffraction equipment and software.
- Knowledge of computational modeling, scientific programming, data analysis, automation, or regulated pharmaceutical development environments.
Responsibilities
- Determine solubility in organic and aqueous systems under controlled temperature conditions.
- Conduct solid-form screening through crystallization studies, including identifying stable polymorphs, generating phase diagrams, and forming salts and co-crystals.
- Characterize samples using solid-state and physicochemical analytical techniques.
- Generate single crystals of small-molecule pharmaceutical compounds suitable for structural analysis.
- Determine and analyze small-molecule crystal structures using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Interpret and integrate solid-form, crystallization, and structural data to develop scientifically sound recommendations for project teams.
- Represent Materials Discovery and/or serve as a single-crystal X-ray diffraction subject-matter expert on cross-functional project teams.
- Communicate technical findings, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to support project decisions.
- Provide scientific support across Materials Discovery activities, contributing expertise to priority projects and ad hoc technical needs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to define study strategies, prioritize experiments, and address solid-form or material-property questions throughout development.
- Plan and execute laboratory experiments, including automated experiments, with appropriate guidance.
- Analyze results, troubleshoot routine technical issues, and maintain high-quality laboratory documentation.
- Document experimental procedures, observations, data, and results in laboratory notebooks in a timely manner and with appropriate detail.
- Prepare technical reports detailing structural analyses to support intellectual property activities and development documentation.
Benefits
- Annual bonus eligibility
- Annual equity awards
- Medical benefits
- Dental benefits
- Vision benefits
- Generous paid time off, including a week-long company shutdown in the summer and winter
- Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment
- Commuting subsidy
- Matching charitable donations
- 401(k)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
