Principal Scientist, Separation Methods Expert, Analytical Science and Technology (AS&T), Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Boston)
Job Description
General Summary:
The Analytical Science and Technology (AS&T) Principal Scientist, Separation Method Expert, will be responsible for providing scientific and technical expertise within and across functional areas for late-stage & commercial methods and vendor management. S/He will manage the method life cycle, including method remediation, validation, transfer, troubleshooting and investigations for OOT/OOS, along with data trending analysis. Additionally, the principal scientist will partner closely with all stakeholders, and with contract testing sites establishing partnerships to ensure compliance with cGMP and Quality Management systems for the global network to deliver our medicines to patients effectively.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead analytical method remediation, validation and transfer for separation methods used for late stage and commercial Biologics programs.
- Lead and support troubleshooting and investigations for in-process, release and stability testing.
- Own Quality events and analytical related activities (Change Controls, Impact Assessments, Change Actions) related to analytical methods & related activities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders and external partners to support analytical readiness for worldwide commercialization and ongoing product lifecycle activities.
- Be accountable for the success of company and department projects/activities and ensure on-time deliverables to meet program commitments.
- Support regulatory submissions and responses to inquiries from health agencies for INDs and BLAs for Biologics as analytical method Subject Matter Expert (SME).
- Author technical documents, such as method SOPs, method validation/transfer protocols and report, method bridging and risk assessments.
- Work with CMO/CTO or external partners on work request, product characterization, and technology transfers.
- Review method trending data and prepare APQRs.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrated expertise in analytical method development, validation, transfer and lifecycle management for protein-based biologics products.
- In-depth, hands-on experience in separation methods including chromatographic (with variety of separation and detection modes), electrophoretic (CE and IEF) separation or impurity methods for biologics is a must.
- Familiarity with the GMP, CLP, and regulatory guidance such as ICH, USP/EP/JP as applicable to analytical methods and commercial-stage CMC.
- Familiar with analytical methods for biological products characterization including but not limited to peptide mapping and MS is a plus.
- Demonstrated proficiency with regulatory requirements, USP, and ICH guidelines related to potency assays for registrational filings is required.
- Experience in statistical analysis tools (e.g. JMP) and/or sufficient knowledge of statistical concepts required for data analysis and generating plots is desired.
- Excellent communication skills with good technical writing skills with a proven ability to work with internal and external partners is a plus.
- Ability to prioritize objectives from multiple projects and adhere to scheduled timelines while maintaining flexibility and efficiency.
Education and Experience:
- PhD, Master’s or Bachelor's in Biochemistry, Chemical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Typically requires the following, or the equivalent combination of education and experience: PhD and 5+ years, or Master's and 8+ years, or Bachelor's and 10+ years of relevant work experience.
Pay Range:
$138,400 - $207,600Disclosure 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
- Experience in analytical method development, validation, transfer and lifecycle management for protein-based biologics products.
- Hands-on expertise in separation methods including chromatographic techniques.
- Hands-on expertise in electrophoretic separation methods (capillary electrophoresis (CE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF)).
- Experience troubleshooting investigations for in-process, release and stability testing, including OOT/OOS investigations and data trending.
- Familiarity with cGMP, CLP, and regulatory guidance (ICH, USP/EP/JP) applicable to analytical methods and commercial-stage CMC.
- Demonstrated proficiency with regulatory requirements and guidelines related to potency assays for registrational filings (IND/BLA submissions).
- Education: PhD with 5+ years, Master’s with 8+ years, or Bachelor’s with 10+ years in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
- Experience with statistical analysis tools and statistical concepts for data analysis (e.g., JMP).
- Familiarity with peptide mapping and mass spectrometry for biologics characterization.
- Strong technical writing and communication skills; ability to collaborate with internal and external partners and CMOs/CTOs.
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.







