Process Chemistry Principal Scientist (Chromatography)

Location: Boston, MA, United States; on-site five days per week

Salary: $138,000–$207,000 base salary per year, plus eligibility for annual bonus and equity awards.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company focused on scientific innovation and the development of medicines.

What you will do

• Lead development, optimization, and scale-up of preparative HPLC and SFC purification methods from semi-preparative to kilogram scale in R&D and cGMP environments.
• Execute and troubleshoot mass-directed and preparative purification campaigns for complex small-molecule drug substances.
• Establish kilo-lab chromatography infrastructure through equipment procurement, column packing, system qualification, maintenance, and technology selection.
• Perform multi-step synthesis of drug substance intermediates and APIs at gram-to-kilogram scale, including reactor operations, workups, crystallizations, filtrations, and drying.
• Build kilogram-scale peptide and oligonucleotide synthesis and purification capabilities using phosphoramidite chemistry, IP-RP HPLC, ion exchange, and ultrafiltration/diafiltration.
• Provide technical leadership, mentor scientific staff, author GMP documentation, and partner with Analytical Development, Process Chemistry, Quality, and Manufacturing.

Requirements

• Expertise in preparative chromatography, including HPLC, SFC, IP-RP, AEX/CEX, SMB, and SEC, across R&D and cGMP scales.
• Hands-on experience with synthetic organic chemistry at kilogram scale and interpretation of HPLC, LC-MS, NMR, and Karl Fischer data.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP regulations, quality systems, SOPs, batch records, validation protocols, deviations, and change controls.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical initiatives, influencing stakeholders, presenting complex scientific findings, and mentoring junior staff.
• Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline preferred; M.S. or B.S. candidates with extensive relevant experience may be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years, master’s degree with 7+ years, or Ph.D. with 4+ years of relevant hands-on industry experience.

Nice to have

• Experience establishing new kilo-scale cGMP purification laboratories and oligonucleotide purification platforms.
• Experience with chromatography data systems such as Empower or OpenLab.

Culture & Benefits

• On-site work with ad hoc flexibility under the Flex @ Vertex program.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with paid time off and company shutdown periods.
• Educational assistance, student loan repayment support, commuting subsidy, charitable donation matching, and 401(k).
• Equal employment opportunity, reasonable workplace accommodations, and a focus on safety, quality, learning, and scientific innovation.