Senior Research Associate (Biologics/Bioconjugation)

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

Base salary: $74,800–$112,200 per year, plus eligibility for annual bonus and equity awards.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company investing in scientific innovation and developing biologics and genetic therapies across several therapeutic areas.

What you will do

• Execute conjugations of ligands, scaffolds, and peptides to lipid nanoparticles using established and emerging methods.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot targeted lipid nanoparticle conjugation and purification processes at bench and pilot scales.
• Analyze tLNP critical quality attributes using Dynamic Light Scattering, RiboGreen assays, HPLC, and related analytical methods.
• Plan and perform experiments with limited supervision, interpret experimental data, and maintain detailed records in electronic lab notebooks.
• Prepare technical summaries and presentations, contribute to platform development and intellectual-property documentation, and support technical discussions.
• Maintain laboratory organization, supplies, and reagent inventories for the Bioconjugation team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with 4+ years of relevant employment experience, or a master’s degree or equivalent with 0–2 years of experience.
• Hands-on experience with various conjugation strategies.
• Ability to interpret routine, uncomplicated data and apply technical knowledge to optimize commonplace experimental procedures.
• Emerging ability to modify experimental designs and protocols to improve experiments or methods.
• Ability to present results in oral and written reports.
• Independent working style, initiative, intellectual curiosity, and reliable follow-up.

Nice to have

• Experience with antibody-drug conjugates or antibody-oligonucleotide conjugation.
• Proficiency in LNP characterization using Dynamic Light Scattering, RiboGreen assays, and HPLC methods.
• Experience with tangential flow filtration and sterile filtration.

Culture & Benefits

• On-site work five days per week with ad hoc flexibility under the Flex @ Vertex Program.
• Collaborative, fast-paced research environment focused on continuous learning, innovation, automation, and improved patient outcomes.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits; generous paid time off; and week-long summer and winter company shutdowns.
• Educational assistance, student loan repayment, commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, and 401(k).
• Equal employment opportunity, reasonable workplace accommodations, and an inclusive working environment.