Vertex Spring Co-Op 2027, Process Development

Vertex Pharmaceuticals • Boston, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vertex Process Development Co-Op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, or other related fields. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our Drug Product Development functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career. The application deadline for this co-op is November 15th. Please note that Vertex reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close this job posting prior to the listed deadline. Applicants can expect to receive an update about their application before or shortly after the application deadline. Ready to apply? Submit your application and let’s turn possibilities into reality!

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree (PhD and master’s are preferred); or undergraduate degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, including aseptic technique, routine cell culture handling, media preparation, and sample preparation; experience with stem cells or stem cell-derived products is preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of cell cryopreservation and hands-on experience with cell freezing and thawing; experience with cell aggregates, spheroids, organoids, or other three-dimensional cell systems is a plus.
• Experience with cell microscopy, including sample preparation, cell staining, image acquisition, and image-based evaluation; experience with cryo-microscopy is a plus.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computational modeling approaches relevant to molecular dynamics, diffusion kinetics, or cryopreservation processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to independently troubleshoot experimental challenges, manage priorities, and maintain accurate documentation and attention to detail in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Highly motivated and collaborative team player with strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to learn new techniques while contributing to complex, high-impact process development work.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future.
• You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2027
• You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from January – July 2027

Nice To Haves

• experience with stem cells or stem cell-derived products is preferred.
• experience with cell aggregates, spheroids, organoids, or other three-dimensional cell systems is a plus.
• experience with cryo-microscopy is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish a standardized cryo-microscopy workflow for real-time imaging of stem cell-derived islets during CPA loading, unloading, and controlled freeze/thaw cycles, including sample preparation, staining, imaging, and data-capture procedures.
• Design and execute cryopreservation studies using selected CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies, generating cryo-microscopy datasets to characterize islet morphology and response across conditions.
• Develop an initial computational modeling framework that complements experimental cryo-microscopy data.
• Model the correlation between CPA diffusion kinetics, islet size and morphology, and cryopreservation process parameters.
• Integrate experimental and computational results to characterize CPA diffusion kinetics and islet response across formulations and process conditions.
• Use findings to identify promising CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies and guide next steps for screening and cryopreservation process optimization.
• Maintain detailed, accurate records of experimental activities, methods, data, analyses, and conclusions in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs).
• Author study reports, technical summaries, and standardized protocols for the established cryo-microscopy and computational modeling workflows.

Benefits

• Free 24/7 onsite gym access and free access to group exercise classes
• Subsidized commuter benefits- transit and parking
• Provided meals—free breakfast daily!
• Career development opportunities and events, including C Suite engagement
• Social events—both intern-only and company-wide
• Location-specific perks and extras!
• Recognition of National Intern Day
• medical, dental and vision benefits
• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern