Job Description
General Summary:
Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join our Process Development team as a Senior Scientist. The primary focus of this role is to lead and manage the execution of development studies for a cell-based drug candidate designed to treat diabetes. Importantly, the Senior Scientist will lead a weekend shift team to provide continuity for on-going studies over weekends and holidays. This is a full-time weekend and holiday shift position based in our Boston, MA facilities.
The Process Development group offers a fast-paced and high energy environment. The right candidate will be a subject matter expert in process engineering, or similar relevant field(s) and have a solid technical operations background.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Design and execute experimentation to develop robust manufacturing processes for cell therapy products and implementation to support programs in clinical development.
- Lead and train a team of bioprocess engineers who will work closely together within a highly matrixed, cross-functional team to deliver program goals.
- Communicate effectively between departmental teams to develop reliable weekend coverage plans for ongoing studies, including understanding experimental goals, developing schedules, and delegating the work to the weekend shift team.
- Manage and/or execute pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation to support process development, optimization, and characterization.
- Perform troubleshooting with high degree of complexity.
- Document experimental procedures and results according to established guidelines. Perform statistical analysis of experimental data.
- Communicate progress versus plan, identifying and escalating business-critical issues affecting supply and timelines as necessary, providing recommendations, mitigations, and potential solutions.
- Collaborate effectively within departmental teams, engage on team discussions to resolve issues, and lead projects with a fully integrated team to facilitate successful outcomes.
- Coordinate resources and set priorities for own team, contributing to the overall goals of the department.
- Generate and review technical reports.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Enthusiastic about maintaining a weekend and holiday shift schedule.
- Willingness to effectively lead a team of scientists/engineers
- Strong communicator with experience collaborating on projects and managing changing priorities.
- Experience independently conducting and directing the design, execution, analysis, and documentation of cell culture processes for biologics and/or cell therapy products.
- Experience in design of experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis.
- Pluripotent stem cell culture experience in 2D and/or 3D preferred.
- Experience working with cell processing devices and bioreactors such as spinner flasks, fixed bed reactors, stirred tank reactors, and Ambr250.
- Working knowledge of GMP requirements.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to handle multiple tasks while meeting timelines and adapting to changing priorities.
- Strong organizational skills and high attention to details.
Education and Experience:
- BS in Biochemistry, Engineering, Biology or related discipline with 8+ years of industry experience; or an MS with 5+ years of industry experience; or a PhD with 2-5 years of industry experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of direct management experience.
#LI-onsite #LI-SV1
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
