Industrial Placement Student - Chemistry (12 months)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Oxford; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is offering a student placement in the Medicinal Chemistry Department at our Milton Park facility in Oxfordshire. You will gain significant experience in organic chemistry lab practices and medicinal chemistry as part of a close-knit, multidisciplinary team embedded in our research laboratories, contributing to drug discovery from target validation through to small molecule optimisation.

The role runs from September 2027 to August 2028.

Qualifications

• Studying a Chemistry degree preferably having completed at least three years of study by August 2027
• Passion for organic and medicinal chemistry
• Highly motivated
• Excellent team working
• Effective communication skills
• Candidates must be studying a university qualification which incorporates an Industrial Placement as a formal, accredited part of their studies

Responsibilities

• Gain significant experience in organic chemistry lab practices and medicinal chemistry
• Work in a close-knit, multidisciplinary chemistry team embedded in research laboratories
• Develop understanding of drug discovery from target validation to small molecule discovery and optimisation

Skills

Organic chemistry

Medicinal chemistry

Team working

Communication skills

Passion for chemistry

Education

Chemistry degree

Industrial placement component

Tools

NMR spectroscopy

HPLC

Job description

Job Description

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop and commercialize innovative new medicines so people with serious diseases can lead better lives. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, MA, Vertex today has research and development sites and commercial offices around the world in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Main Duties & Objectives

We have a number of student placements in the Medicinal Chemistry Department at our research facility in Milton Park, Oxfordshire. As part of your project, opportunities will be available to gain significant experience in organic chemistry lab practices and medicinal chemistry. As a member of a chemistry team, you will be working in a close-knit, multidisciplinary team, embedded in our research laboratories, where you can expect to gain a broad understanding of the drug discovery process from target validation through to small molecule discovery and optimisation.

Person Specification

• Studying a Chemistry degree preferably having completed at least three years of study by August 2027
• Passion for organic and medicinal chemistry
• Highly motivated
• Excellent team working
• Effective communication skills
• Candidates must be studying a university qualification which incorporates an Industrial Placement as a formal, accredited part of their studies

Role Duration

September 2027 to August 2028

Our Ways of Working:

Flex @ Vertex details Flex Designation: On-Site Eligible Flex Eligibility Status On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility. Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Flex Designation: On-Site Designated Flex Eligibility Status: In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

1. Hybrid : work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site : work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.