Analytical Development Research Scientist (Biologics)

Location: Boston, MA; on-site five days per week with ad hoc flexibility.

Salary: $102,800–$154,200 base salary per year, plus eligibility for annual bonus and equity awards.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company investing in scientific innovation and developing therapies for patients.

What you will do

• Lead the design, characterization, and lifecycle management of stable mammalian analytical cell lines expressing targets, receptor systems, or reporter constructs.
• Manage CROs, provide technical guidance, and troubleshoot cell line development and maintenance challenges.
• Develop, optimize, validate, and support cell-based bioassays, including reporter gene, signaling pathway, proliferation, cytotoxicity, ADCC, and CDC assays.
• Evaluate sensitivity, specificity, robustness, stability, reproducibility, and fitness for intended use of assays and cell lines.
• Lead or contribute to technical transfers to internal laboratories, external partners, vendors, and quality control functions.
• Design complex experiments, interpret data, identify risks, prepare technical documentation, and represent Analytical Development on cross-functional teams while mentoring associates.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a biology-related discipline with 0–3 years of relevant industry experience in biologics analytical development, bioassay development, cell line engineering, or functional characterization; or a Master’s degree in a biology-related scientific discipline with 3 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in a biology-related scientific discipline with 6 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience.
• Experience developing analytical cell lines and cell-based potency or functional assays to support biologics development.
• Strong understanding of receptor biology, cellular signaling, reporter systems, mechanism of action, and their application to potency assay design.
• Proficiency with plate-based assays, including ELISA, reporter gene assays, cytotoxicity, ADCC, CDC, and other bioassay readouts.
• Knowledge of USP, FDA, and ICH guidelines governing bioassay development and validation.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, advance multiple projects, solve problems, think critically, meet timelines, and work collaboratively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data to diverse audiences.
• Ability to align cell line generation, assay development, documentation, and data packages with quality, compliance, good documentation practice, and data integrity expectations.

Nice to have

• Experience with flow cytometry, qPCR, or ddPCR.
• Familiarity with JMP, GraphPad Prism, SoftMax Pro, or other bioassay data analysis software.
• Openness to using digital, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve data analysis, documentation, knowledge management, and scientific workflows.

Culture & Benefits

• Continuous learning and encouragement to stay informed about AI, technology, automation, and industry trends.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, and week-long summer and winter company shutdowns.
• Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment.
• Commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, and 401(k).
• Annual bonus and annual equity award eligibility.