Job Description
General Summary:
Vertex is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to join the Analytical Science and Technology team. In this role, you will work closely with contract manufacturing organizations and a diverse, cross-functional group of scientists at Vertex to solve complex challenges encountered during late-stage development and commercial manufacturing of small-molecule drug products.
The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific foundation and a proven track record of developing, implementing, and troubleshooting analytical methods within the pharmaceutical industry. This individual should thrive in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, communicate clearly, and drive solutions to support product development and commercial success.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Designs and performs elaborate and technically challenging analytical experiments in compliance with applicable regulations and SOPs
Lead analytical method transfer activities for small molecule drug product to CMOs or between internal groups
Support method validation or co-validation activities for late-phase development and commercial programs
Prepare, review, and approve technical documentation for commercial products, including analytical methods, SOPs, transfer protocols and reports, laboratory records, and technical reports.
Serve as the primary analytical lead for external CMOs, overseeing analytical service execution, driving investigations, and partnering on process-related issue resolution
Analyze and trend commercial data to support continued process verification, identify emerging issues, and inform data-driven decisions.
Support product lifecycle management activities and implement continuous process improvement through commercial change control
Knowledge and Skills:
Strong practical analytical chemistry skills across a range of general analytical techniques
Proven experience in analytical development or technical operations, supporting late-stage development, commercialization and post-approval activities
Demonstrated expertise in problem-solving and root cause analysis for analytical related issues
Strong technical knowledge of chromatographic methods, including HPLC, Dissolution, and other analytical techniques commonly used in pharmaceutical analysis
Experience applying compendial methods such as KF, elemental impurity testing, spectroscopic identification)
Solid understanding of cGMP regulations, ICH guidelines and CMC regulatory expectations in a pharmaceutical setting
Proficiency in data analysis, trending and visualization tools to support decision-making and process monitoring
Strong communication, collaboration and technical writing skills
Proven ability to work successfully in a fast-paced, matrixed environment while also operating independently with minimal supervision
Strong project management skills and the flexibility to adjust to shifting project priorities and business needs
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Chemistry or other natural science
Typically requires the following, or the equivalent combination of education and experience: PhD and 3+ years, or Master's and 5+ years, or Bachelor's and 8+ years.
Pay Range:
$120,000 - $180,000Disclosure 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:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site EligibleFlex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: 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-Hybrid
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
- PhD in Chemistry or related field
- 3+ years of analytical development experience
- Strong knowledge of HPLC, GC, and analytical techniques
- Experience in a pharmaceutical setting
- Project management skills
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.







