Structural Biology & Biophysics Industrial Placement

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology company is offering an Industrial Placement in the Biology Department at its Oxfordshire facility from September 2026 to August 2027. This role provides students with hands-on experience in drug discovery, allowing them to work closely with expert scientists on various diseases. Candidates must be studying a relevant qualification and should demonstrate a passion for scientific discovery, teamwork, and effective communication. The position is hybrid-eligible, allowing for remote work two days a week.

Qualifications

• Currently studying a relevant university qualification.
• Passion for scientific discovery and experimentation.
• Desire to develop scientific and laboratory skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Excellent team working.
• Effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work within research teams on various diseases.
• Gain a broad understanding of the drug discovery process.
• Learn about disease biology and pharmaceutical development.
• Develop valuable laboratory skills.

Job description

Structural Biology & Biophysics - Industrial Placement 12 Months - Paddington London UK

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.

We are recruiting for an Industrial placement student in the Biology Department at our research facility in Oxfordshire as part of our wider intern intake for the year.

Main Duties & Objectives

The research site is a dynamic fast‑paced environment where you will be embedded within research teams working on any one of several diseases. You will be working in a close‑knit multidisciplinary team of scientists located 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. As part of your time here you can expect to learn about disease biology, the pharmaceutical discovery and development process and gain valuable laboratory skills.

During your Industrial Placement you will get the opportunity to learn about our industry from a hands‑on perspective. You will be working closely with and learning from some of the brightest people in the industry. Students can expect to be challenged by their work, connect with other students and feel valued by the Vertex community.

Person Specification

• Currently studying a relevant university qualification
• Passion for scientific discovery and experimentation
• Desire to develop scientific and laboratory skills
• Highly motivated
• Excellent team working
• Effective communication skills

Role Duration

September 2026 to August 2027

Our Ways of Working

Flex @ Vertex details: Flex Designation: Hybrid-Eligible or On-Site Eligible. In this Hybrid-Eligible role you can choose to be designated as:

1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or

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 persons 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.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager or contact Talent Acquisition at …