Job Description
General Summary:
Vertex is seeking a lab-based Senior Scientific Associate to provide engineering and operational expertise within Upstream Process Development Engineering. This individual contributor will support T1D programs through high-throughput and bench-scale bioreactor studies, with particular emphasis on ambr250 operations, small-scale model development, stirred-tank reactor (STR) process robustness, and process characterization. The role will plan and execute studies, solve complex equipment and process issues, coordinate materials and laboratory activities, and translate experimental data into clear technical conclusions. The successful candidate will serve as a technical resource for ambr250 and bioreactor operations and will partner across Process Development, Research, Analytical Development, Manufacturing, and other functions to align best practices, improve platform reliability, and establish consistent approaches across teams and sites.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Plans, coordinates, executes, and documents upstream process-development studies using ambr250 and bench-scale bioreactor platforms in support of STR scale-up, process robustness, and process characterization.
- Provides hands-on technical expertise for ambr250 operation, including system setup, method development, study execution, maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of operating practices.
- Develops, evaluates, and improves ambr250 scale-down models, including assessment of model representativeness, operating ranges, comparability to larger-scale STR processes, and sources of variability.
- Applies bioreactor engineering and control principles to troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues related to mixing, mass transfer, gas delivery, pH and dissolved oxygen control, feeding, sampling, and data acquisition.
- Provides advanced troubleshooting support for bench-scale bioreactor platforms, including Ascent and PBS systems, and helps determine root cause, corrective actions, and appropriate escalation pathways.
- Owns study design, material planning, scheduling, and coordination of laboratory resources to enable successful and timely execution of time-sensitive experiments.
- Uses JMP and other appropriate tools for experimental design, multivariate analysis, modeling, data visualization, data interpretation, and assessment of process comparability.
- Prepares study protocols, electronic records, data summaries, technical reports, and presentations that clearly communicate methods, results, conclusions, risks, and recommended next steps.
- Partners with colleagues across Process Development and cross-functionally to align ambr and bioreactor best practices, standardize workflows, share lessons learned, and improve operational consistency.
- Serves as a technical owner or super user for key laboratory equipment, including Cedex cell-counting systems, and provides advanced troubleshooting, maintenance coordination, user guidance, and readiness support.
- Identifies opportunities to improve laboratory workflows, equipment utilization, data quality, automation, and process understanding; leads or supports implementation of practical solutions.
- Contributes technical input to project planning and risk assessment and proactively communicates issues that may affect study quality, timelines, or program decisions.
- Mentors and trains colleagues in ambr250 operations, bioreactor fundamentals, equipment troubleshooting, JMP analysis, and effective study execution.
- May participate in weekend or off-hours laboratory coverage when needed to support critical cell-culture and bioreactor operations.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrated hands-on expertise with ambr250 or a comparable high-throughput bioreactor platform, including independent operation, troubleshooting, and study execution.
- Strong understanding of mammalian or stem-cell culture and aseptic processing in a process-development laboratory environment.
- Strong knowledge of bioreactor control principles and their application to scale-down models, bench-scale studies, and STR scale-up.
- Ability to diagnose complex process, equipment, and workflow issues using data, engineering fundamentals, structured problem solving, and sound technical judgment.
- Experience developing or qualifying small-scale models and evaluating scale relevance, comparability, operating ranges, and model limitations.
- Proficiency with JMP for design of experiments, statistical modeling, multivariate analysis, data visualization, and interpretation; ability to coach others in appropriate application of these tools.
- Experience operating and troubleshooting cell-counting and analytical equipment; Cedex expertise is strongly preferred.
- Ability to manage study design, materials, schedules, documentation, and cross-functional dependencies with limited supervision.
- Strong technical writing and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into concise conclusions and recommendations.
- Demonstrated collaboration across teams or sites and a consistent focus on shared best practices, operational excellence, quality, safety, and data integrity.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biology, or a related scientific or engineering discipline with 3+ years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Relevant experience should include mammalian or stem-cell culture, high-throughput or bench-scale bioreactor operation, and execution of process-development studies.
- Direct experience with ambr250, process scale-down model development, bioreactor troubleshooting, Cedex systems, and JMP-based experimental design or modeling is strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting cell-therapy, regenerative-medicine, or other complex biologics process development is preferred.
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:
$73,900 - $110,900
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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com
