Vertex · 3 months ago
Molecular and Cell Biology Principal Research Scientist, Targeted Drug Delivery
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$136K/yr - $204K/yr
4+ years expVertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The Principal Research Scientist will focus on targeted drug delivery including nucleic acid therapies, collaborating with cross-functional partners to support integrated drug discovery programs.
Computer Software
Responsibilities
Develop and implement strategic plans for receptor & ligand identification, characterization, optimization, and application in drug discovery
Responsible for executing research plans, collecting and interpreting data, trouble shooting, and defining next steps
Collaborate with cross-functional partners (medicinal chemistry, computational genomics, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, protein sciences) to support integrated drug discovery programs from target validation through lead optimization
Apply innovative approaches and stay current with advances in receptor biology, ligand discovery, and nucleic acid therapeutics to strengthen pipeline opportunities
Prepare and present data in project team meetings, contributing scientific insight and recommendations to guide program strategy
Maintain high standards of scientific rigor, accurate documentation, data integrity, and compliance with regulatory guidelines
Qualification
Required
Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry or related science and 4-7 years of relevant post-doctoral employment experience
Master's degree (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry or related science and 7+ years of relevant employment experience
Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry or related science and 10+ years of relevant employment experience
Strong expertise in receptor biology, ligand–receptor interactions and signaling mechanisms
Hands-on experience with biochemical, biophysical, and/or cell-based assays to study receptor function and behavior
Demonstrated track record of scientific achievement (e.g., publications, presentations, or contributions to therapeutic programs) in receptor biology and targeted drug delivery
Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary project teams
Excellent personal and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive decision-making across functions
Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, and innovative environment
Preferred
Experience with ligand-mediated delivery into specific tissues or cell types is highly desirable
Benefits
Medical, dental and vision benefits
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)
Company
Vertex
Vendor intelligence that combs through your supplier, manufacturer, logistics data to detect where you're leaving money on the table.
2-10 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Vertex has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (27)
2024 (18)
2023 (7)
2022 (13)
2021 (5)
2020 (7)
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase