Job Description
General Summary:
The position requires deep expertise in protein engineering and vast experience in the discovery and development of protein therapeutics, both in silico and wet lab. The Protein Sciences Principal Research Scientist is self-reliant with a deep record of accomplishments, independently identifying and solving tough problems across a number of critical and diverse projects. The successful candidate will be involved in the design, and generation of proteins to enable the study of structure-function relationships for disease-relevant targets. The Principal Research Scientist innovates proficiently and generates insights that influence research strategies. This is primarily an individual contributor role. The role provides reliable, valuable advice to other research Project Teams on a regular basis. Exhibits an ability to make significant conceptual contributions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Apply advanced protein engineering and directed evolution methods to drive the invention of novel biologic therapeutics
- Designs and performs sophisticated, technically challenging experiments, efficiently and independently
- Generates effective hypotheses to pursue Project goals and set new experimental directions
- Identifies broad implications to findings, which transcend the immediate experiment
- Develops novel and creative solutions to overcome Project goal obstacles
- Performs advanced, complex experimental troubleshooting and methods development, and is routinely called upon to use this prowess to assist others outside of own Projects
- Makes substantive conceptual contributions to Project activities and scientific strategies
- “Imports” new principles/concepts from other fields to establish new progress in Projects
- Coordinates publication and/or patenting of findings, or is a major contributor to these processes
- Provides authoritative technical recommendations broadly within the company regarding own field/discipline, and often occupies a key or pivotal formal or informal Project role
Knowledge and Skills:
- Deep experience in protein therapeutics beyond mAbs, such as Fc engineering, multispecifics, fusion proteins, ADC's and TCE's
- Demonstrates advanced judgment balancing technical feasibility and scientific opportunity/impact in the design, generation, and testing of proteins to enable the study of structure-function relationships for disease-relevant targets.
- Regularly executes technically challenging, complex experiments successfully within project expectations
- Discerns new, productive paths in experiments with greater regularity
- Demonstrates initiative and ability to capitalize on scientific creativity and insights
- Assigned to the more challenging or higher-value Project tasks/problems
- Often will have demonstrated outstanding determination and/or persistence in supporting Project(s)
- A superior communicator, demonstrating the ability to write advanced technical documents and demonstrating confidence and versatility in presenting verbally to diverse audiences
Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in cellular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines and 4-7 years of relevant post-doctoral employment experience, or
- Masters Degree (or equivalent degree) in cellular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines and 7+ years of relevant employment experience, or
- Bachelors Degree (or equivalent degree) in cellular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines and 10+ years of relevant employment experience
Pay Range:
$136,000 - $204,000
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. 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. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
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.
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.
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 [email protected]
What We Do
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases.
We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development.
Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.