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Vertex · 4 weeks ago

Vertex Summer Intern 2026, Protein Engineering

Seattle

Internship

Hybrid

Intern

$20/hr - $32/hr

Start in 2026 Spring

Vertex is a global biotechnology company focused on tackling serious diseases and changing lives. They are seeking a Protein Engineering intern to work on developing novel therapeutic proteins, applying molecular biology techniques, and collaborating with multidisciplinary project teams.

Computer Software

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

The intern will primarily work with the Protein Engineering group to help develop novel therapeutic proteins that modulate immune responses

The intern will apply molecular biology techniques to build and screen protein libraries for directed evolution yeast display campaigns

This position will enable the design of expression plasmids for potential therapeutic proteins, and the student will also become familiar with in silico protein modeling/design tools (e.g., AlphaFold, Rosetta)

Technical skills that will be acquired include: Basic molecular biology techniques, including PCR, primer design, Gibson assembly, bacterial transformation, yeast transformation, and DNA sequencing analysis

Protein expression plasmid design and production

Recombinant protein expression via transient transfection and purification

Yeast display library design and screening

Basic computational protein structure prediction and design tools, including Rosetta, AlphaFold, and PyMOL visualization techniques

Database entry and protein request queue tracking

Lab operations support

Though a specific project has yet to be determined, the student will work on their own project focused on technology development while also shadowing the supervisor

The student will also contribute to multiple therapeutic discovery stage Vertex projects

These discovery stage projects will involve participation in multidisciplinary project teams composed of immunologists, biochemists, and structural biologists

The student will interact closely with several members of our teams, such as specialists in stem cell differentiation, screening, genetic integrity, and epigenetics

Qualification

Molecular biology techniquesProtein expression plasmid designRecombinant protein expressionComputational protein modelingYeast display library designDNA sequencing analysisMotivation for precision workQuick learning aptitudeCommunicationTeam collaboration

Required

A passion for discovery in immunology

At least two years of university-level coursework in a bioscience-related discipline

Excellent communication skills, including the capacity to clearly present and explain results

Motivation to perform precision bench work

Aptitude to learn quickly

Energy and flexibility to collaborate with a busy team in a rapidly evolving company

An eagerness to contribute to Vertex's science

Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future. Please note that Vertex does not provide sponsorship for internships or entry level roles within this part of the organization

You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from May – August 2026