Research Scientist

Vertex Pharmaceuticals • Boston, MA

33d • Onsite

About The Position

At Vertex Pharmaceuticals, we are relentless in our pursuit of transforming the lives of people with serious diseases. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Scientist to join our Structural Biology and Biophysics team in Boston. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to producing and characterizing high-quality recombinant proteins for structural, biochemical, and biophysical studies. Your contributions will play a critical role in elucidating target mechanisms of action and ligand engagement, driving our mission to deliver transformative therapies to patients. As a Research Scientist, you will work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, contributing to multiple projects simultaneously. You will leverage your expertise in recombinant protein expression and characterization to support drug discovery efforts. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, detail-oriented individual who thrives in a collaborative and innovative setting.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (MSc) in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• PhD in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with protein expression in multiple systems (e.g., bacterial, insect, mammalian).
• Experience generating reagents required for protein expression.
• Proficiency in biochemical techniques such as SDS-PAGE and Western blot.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities to manage multiple projects effectively .
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to convey results and collaborate with team members.
• Ability to work independently with attention to detail and meet deadlines.
• A collaborative mindset with the ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment.
• Adaptability to a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with protein characterization and purification, including manual and automated chromatography systems (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Express both soluble and integral membrane proteins using various recombinant systems, including bacterial, insect, and mammalian platforms.
• Perform transformation, transfection, or transduction of appropriate expression systems.
• Maintain and manage mammalian and insect cell lines to support protein expression .
• Optimize protein expression processes to enhance yield and quality of downstream proteins.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments while managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Qualify and characterize expressed proteins using analytical techniques such as SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC).
• Maintain detailed and accurate experimental records in an electronic lab notebook (ELN).
• Effectively communicate experimental results and manage production timelines to meet project goals.

Benefits

• This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards.
• 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: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees