Job Description
At Vertex, we invest in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Our growing Molecular Profiling team is seeking a Senior Scientist, Spatial Transcriptomics to provide scientific and deep technical expertise in spatial biology to support discovery, translational, and development programs. This role will be instrumental in driving mechanistic insights into disease biology, tissue microenvironments, and therapeutic response through spatial profiling of gene expression in tissue context.
The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in spatial transcriptomics, tissue-based molecular profiling, experimental design, and data interpretation, along with strong cross-functional collaboration skills and a passion for technical innovation.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the design, execution, and optimization of spatial transcriptomics studies to address key biological questions in disease-relevant tissues and model systems
- Lead efforts to characterize tissue architecture, cellular microenvironments, cell-cell interactions, and spatial organization of biological processes
- Generate and interpret high-quality spatial data to derive biological insights that support disease biology, target biology, mechanism of action, and biomarker strategies
- Integrate spatial transcriptomics data with complementary datasets, including single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics, imaging, histology, and other molecular profiling approaches to enable multi-modal biological insights
- Develop, validate, and implement robust workflows for sample preparation, assay execution, quality control, and data review
- Evaluate and apply emerging spatial biology technologies to expand research capabilities and enable innovative scientific applications
- Drive adoption of best practices and contribute to establishing robust spatial biology workflows and standards across the team
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams across disease biology, pharmacology, translational medicine, biomarker sciences, bioinformatics, and clinical development to inform study design, data interpretation, and program strategy
- Contribute to internal scientific strategy through clear communication of results, technical recommendations, and experimental insights
- Prepare technical documentation, protocols, study summaries, and presentations
- Mentor junior scientists and help build a collaborative, high-performing team environment
Knowledge and Skills:
- Deep expertise in spatial transcriptomics and tissue-based molecular profiling
- Strong understanding of transcriptomics, RNA biology, tissue architecture, and cellular heterogeneity
- Experience with fresh frozen and FFPE tissue processing, tissue quality assessment, and assay optimization
- Familiarity with one or more spatial biology platforms, including sequencing-based and imaging-based technologies
- Experience integrating spatial data with single-cell, proteomic, imaging, and histologic datasets
- Working knowledge of computational approaches for spatial data analysis, visualization, and interpretation, including proficiency in R and/or Python and familiarity with relevant analysis tools and workflows
- Strong experimental rigor, problem-solving ability, and attention to data quality and reproducibility
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a matrixed, multidisciplinary environment
Education and Experience:
- PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; or
- Master’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience; or
- Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on experience with one or more spatial transcriptomics platforms (e.g., sequencing-based or imaging-based such as 10x Genomics Visium, Nanostring CosMx or similar technologies)
- Experience with histology, immunofluorescence, image analysis, and multiplexed tissue profiling
- Experience supporting drug discovery, translational research, or clinical biomarker development, ideally in immunology or inflammation
- Familiarity with single-cell RNA-seq analysis and integration of multi-omics datasets
- Experience in immunology and inflammation disease areas
- Knowledge of spatial proteomics or broader tissue-based profiling approaches
Pay Range:
$124,200 - $186,400Disclosure 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
- PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related discipline with 2+ years relevant experience (alternatively Master’s with 6+ years or Bachelor’s with 8+ years)
- Deep expertise in spatial transcriptomics and tissue-based molecular profiling
- Experience with fresh frozen and FFPE tissue processing, tissue quality assessment, and assay optimization
- Familiarity with spatial biology platforms (sequencing- and imaging-based) such as 10x Genomics Visium or NanoString CosMx
- Experience integrating spatial data with single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics, imaging, and histologic datasets
- Working knowledge of computational approaches for spatial data analysis and visualization, including proficiency in R and/or Python
- Strong experimental rigor, problem-solving, attention to data quality, and ability to communicate results in multidisciplinary teams
- Mentoring junior scientists and contributing to team development
- Hands-on experience with histology, immunofluorescence, image analysis, and multiplexed tissue profiling
- Experience supporting drug discovery, translational research, or clinical biomarker development in immunology or inflammation
- Knowledge of spatial proteomics or broader tissue-based profiling approaches
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.
