Immunology Senior Research Scientist (Spatial Transcriptomics)

Location: Seattle, WA, United States; on-site five days per week

Base salary: $124,200–$186,400 per year, plus eligibility for an annual bonus and annual equity awards.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company investing in scientific innovation to develop transformative medicines for serious diseases.

What you will do

• Lead the design, execution, and optimization of spatial transcriptomics studies in disease-relevant tissues and model systems.
• Characterize tissue architecture, cellular microenvironments, cell-cell interactions, and spatial organization.
• Generate and interpret spatial data to support disease biology, target biology, mechanisms of action, and biomarker strategies.
• Integrate spatial transcriptomics with single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics, imaging, histology, and other molecular profiling datasets.
• Develop and validate workflows for sample preparation, assay execution, quality control, data review, and reproducible spatial biology standards.
• Collaborate with disease biology, pharmacology, translational medicine, biomarker sciences, bioinformatics, and clinical development teams; mentor junior scientists and communicate technical findings.

Requirements

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, biology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; or a master’s degree with 6+ years; or a bachelor’s degree with 8+ years.
• Deep expertise in spatial transcriptomics and tissue-based molecular profiling, including transcriptomics, RNA biology, tissue architecture, and cellular heterogeneity.
• Experience with fresh frozen and FFPE tissue processing, tissue quality assessment, assay optimization, and spatial biology platforms.
• Experience integrating spatial data with single-cell, proteomic, imaging, and histologic datasets.
• Working knowledge of spatial data analysis, visualization, and interpretation using R and/or Python.
• Strong experimental rigor, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and effectiveness in a multidisciplinary matrixed environment.

Nice to have

• Hands-on experience with platforms such as 10x Genomics Visium, NanoString CosMx, or similar technologies.
• Experience with histology, immunofluorescence, image analysis, and multiplexed tissue profiling.
• Experience in drug discovery, translational research, or clinical biomarker development, particularly in immunology or inflammation.
• Familiarity with single-cell RNA-seq analysis, multi-omics integration, and spatial proteomics.

Culture & Benefits

• Continuous learning and support for adopting advances in AI, technology, and automation.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, and week-long summer and winter company shutdowns.
• Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment, and a commuting subsidy.
• Matching charitable donations, 401(k), annual bonus eligibility, and annual equity awards.
• Equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and reasonable workplace accommodations.