Job Description
General Summary:
Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join our Analytical Development group in Boston, MA. As a member of an industry leading CMC team, this individual will help advance transformative medicines treating the underlying cause of serious diseases by conducting analytical chemistry activities for small molecule development programs. Responsibilities include characterization and stability assessment of drug substances, spray-dried dispersions, and drug products, as well as contributing scientifically to the resolution of broader drug development challenges in collaboration with other R&D functions. Expertise with laboratory techniques commonly used in the analysis of pharmaceutical products, including liquid chromatography (LC), is desired.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Analytical testing and data review, as well as collation, interpretation, and presentation of complex data along with recommendations to guide project decisions and new research activities
- Independently designing and performing technically challenging experiments in a resourceful manner with a high degree of reliability and attention to details
- Solving complex problems to support crucial project goals, as well as innovation of research methodology to address important questions enabling the advancement of development programs
- Supporting method validation activities, including designing validation protocols that follow ICH and FDA guidelines and address critical factors that may not be mandated by the guidelines but are essential for validating the methods for their intended use
- Representing Analytical Development on cross functional pharmaceutical development teams
- Prioritizing studies, considering feasibility, timelines, and project impact
- Troubleshooting and maintain general lab equipment, including LCs
- Maintaining accurate records of experiments and results in an electronic laboratory notebook in a timely manner
- Working collaboratively cross-functionally and within the team to achieve program goals
- Complying with applicable SOPs
- May supervise or mentor junior staff
Knowledge and Skills:
- Understanding of the drug development process, including chemical and formulation development
- Skilled in HPLC, GC, KF, and broad knowledge of other techniques used in pharmaceutical analysis
- Good understanding of GMP is preferred. Hands-on GMP experience, as well as experience developing GMP friendly methods is a plus
- The ability to work successfully in both a team/matrix environment as well as independently is required
- The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage priorities, and maintain timelines for multiple activities are required
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential
Education and Experience:
- A BS, Master’s degree or Ph.D. in the life or physical sciences with a preference for a concentration in analytical chemistry
- Minimum experience: Ph.D. with 0-3 years or MS with 3+ years or BS with 6+ years of relevant analytical development experience
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Pay Range:
$102,800 - $154,200Disclosure 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 DesignatedFlex 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 [email protected]
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree in life sciences, physical sciences, or analytical chemistry
- Ph.D. with 0–3 years, master’s degree with 3+ years, or bachelor’s degree with 6+ years of relevant analytical development experience
- Hands-on experience with pharmaceutical analytical development
- Experience with HPLC, GC, Karl Fischer, and other pharmaceutical analysis techniques
- Ability to design and perform technically challenging experiments independently
- Ability to support analytical method validation activities following ICH and FDA guidelines
- Understanding of drug development, chemical development, and formulation development processes
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team or matrix environment and independently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage priorities and timelines for multiple activities in a fast-paced environment
- Good understanding of GMP
- Hands-on GMP experience and experience developing GMP-friendly methods
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vertex Pharmaceuticals and has not been reviewed or approved by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies provide 12 weeks of 100% paid bonding leave for all U.S. parents with additional fully paid time for birth parents. Family-forming supports include adoption and surrogacy assistance, fertility options like IVF and egg cryopreservation, breast‑milk shipping, subsidized childcare, backup care, and a DCFSA match.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes roughly four weeks of vacation, 13 holidays, sick time, and two companywide shutdowns (summer and year‑end). Some roles also include flexible or unlimited time off and paid volunteer time.
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Retirement Support — Programs include a 401(k) plan with employer contributions and an employee stock purchase plan. Filings describe employer contributions occurring in company stock, supporting long‑term ownership.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Insights
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.









