Pharmacology Research Scientist

Vertex Inc. • San Diego, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacology group at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in San Diego is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Pharmacology Research Scientist to join our team. The successful candidate will focus on developing and applying primary tissue assays for drug discovery, with a particular emphasis on ex vivo organ perfusion and nervous system models. This role also requires expertise in in vitro and in vivo assays to support the evaluation of novel therapeutic candidates and elucidation of biological mechanisms. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

Requirements

• Proficiency in pharmacology techniques, including cell-based assays, physiology, animal handling, dosing, and tissue dissection/collection.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to automate data collection and analyses and interpret complex data sets.
• Proficiency in data analysis software and tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Spotfire, MATLAB, Python).
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Biology, or a related field with 0-3 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 3+ years of experience or Bachelors and 6yrs of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting.
• Hands-on experience in developing and applying primary tissue assays, including ex vivo organ perfusion and nervous system models.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and implement primary tissue assays to support drug discovery and development programs.
• Design and execute experiments utilizing ex vivo organ perfusion and nervous system models to evaluate drug efficacy, distribution, safety, and mechanism of action.
• Conduct in vitro and in vivo pharmacology studies to complement ex vivo findings and provide a comprehensive understanding of drug candidates.
• Automate data collection and analysis processes to improve efficiency and accuracy in experimental workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including medicinal chemistry, biology, toxicology, and clinical development, to advance projects from discovery to clinical development.
• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data to project teams and senior leadership.
• Author and review study reports, regulatory documents, and scientific publications.
• Stay current with advancements in pharmacology, ex vivo systems, and related fields to incorporate innovative approaches into research programs.

Benefits

• This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards.
• Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements.
• At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations.
• From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree