Pharmacology Research Scientist, Ex Vivo

Job Description

General Summary:

The CGT Pharmacology group in Boston is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Pharmacology Research Scientist to work collaboratively across the Research organization by supporting pharmacology efforts to understand the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of novel cell and gene therapies in disease models. The successful candidate will focus on developing, optimizing and validating PK/PD assays, immunoassays, custom multiplexes, and primary cell/explant assays supporting both early discovery and IND-enabling phases. This role requires a specialized technical expert in assay development (e.g. immunoassays, cell assays, flow assays, etc.) who can lead work streams, prioritize data integrity/documentation and mentor others within the team. Strong technical and problem-solving skills, self-motivation, presentation/communication skills, and the ability to both leads, as well as thrive as part of a team are essential.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs, optimizes and executes preclinical PK, and immunoassay and cell assays to support pharmacology research efforts

• Uses a high level of scientific judgment and creative thinking to adapt and/or create standardized workflows & protocols by applying breadth of knowledge and prior work experience.

• Takes ownership of daily tasks, researching answers and contacting other subject matter experts independently before soliciting support from senior team members.

• Exercises emerging judgment to prioritize workload, based on project impact.

• Communicate and work collaboratively within and across functions to support programs from early discovery through preclinical proof of concept and candidate selection to advance the company pipeline.

• Authors and reviews Bioanalytical reports for regulatory filings

• Analyze, interpret, and present experimental data to project teams and senior leadership.

• Possesses a strong understanding of the drug development process and showcases enterprise thinking.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proven technical proficiency and demonstrated skill in planning and interpreting experiments, including the measurement of the action of cell/gene therapies on in vitro or in vivo disease biology assays (PK/PD, Ligand Binding assays, primary cell/tissue culture, immune cell assays, custom multiplex, flow cytometry).

• Strong analytical and organizations skills with the ability to operate automated assay systems and analyze/collect data to interpret complex data sets (Hamilton, Integra, etc.)

• Proficiency in data analysis software and tools (GraphPad Prism, Spotfire, FlowJo, VENUS lab automation software, etc.).

• Assesses situations using existing knowledge and best practices, proactively asking for assistance when defined boundaries or technical limitations are reached.

• Demonstrates understanding of analysis and interpretation of relatively complex experimental data with proficiency in problem solving and protocol/procedure refinement.

• Effective communicator (written and verbal) and presenter, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

• Often deployed to investigations with more significant consequences and need for reliability

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of industry experience or,

• Master’s degree and 5 years of industry experience or,

• PhD and 3 years of industry experience

Pay Range:

$110,900 - $166,300

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

On-Site Designated

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.  

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

#LI-Onsite

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com