Vertex · 4 hours ago
Senior Research Scientist, Human Cell Engineering and In Vitro Disease Modeling
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$122K/yr - $182K/yr
2+ years expVertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Research Scientist to join our Disease Modeling Group. In this role, you will be responsible for the development of engineered human cell models and their integration into drug discovery workflows, supporting translational relevance and enabling the advancement of Vertex’s pipeline.
Computer Software
Responsibilities
Design, generate, QC and validate engineered human cell lines; perform functional characterization of genetic edits and prepare documentation for internal review
Establish and maintain quality control criteria for different cell types and disease model systems
Contribute to the design and development of human in vitro disease models that recapitulate disease mechanisms and phenotypes
Perform and optimize primary cell culture, iPSC differentiation, transdifferentiation, and gene-editing workflows
Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to integrate disease models into compound screening, target validation, and mechanistic studies
Analyze datasets, prepare high-quality experimental summaries, and communicate findings to project teams and functional leadership
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies in gene editing, cell engineering, and in vitro disease modeling
Contribute to continuous improvement of methodologies, tools, and best practices within the group
Qualification
Required
Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, or related discipline and 2-5 years of relevant post-doctoral employment experience, or
Masters Degree (or equivalent degree) in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related disciplines and 5+ years of relevant employment experience, or
Bachelors Degree (or equivalent degree) in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or related disciplines and 8+ years of relevant employment experience
Strong ability to analyze complex datasets, review scientific literature, and formulate hypotheses
Demonstrated expertise with human cell based systems for disease modeling and therapeutic development
Extensive hands-on experience establishing iPSC differentiation workflows across multiple cell lineages
Proficiency with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and its application in disease modeling
Hands-on competence with standard validation methods (RNAseq, qPCR/ddPCR, NGS, Western blot, immunostaining)
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple high-impact projects in a fast paced environment, with excellent prioritization and execution
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a matrixed organization
Strong publication record and evidence of contributions to drug discovery programs
Benefits
Annual bonus
Annual equity awards
Overtime pay
Medical, dental and vision benefits
Generous paid time off
Educational assistance programs including student loan repayment
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
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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