Analytical Development Principal Scientist, Microbiology & Viral Safety

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Leiden; On-site; EUR 122,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Commuting subsidy

401(k) matching

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US) is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead analytical development for microbiology and viral safety across cell and gene therapy programs. You will oversee assay development, validation, and lifecycle management while partnering with cross‑functional teams to support regulatory submissions and manufacturing readiness.

The role requires deep expertise in adventitious agent safety, GMP environments, and rapid-method innovation, with a track record of collaboration

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Microbiology, Virology, Biological Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field; PhD preferred.
• PhD with 4+ years, MS with 7+ years, or Bachelor's with 10+ years of experience.
• Significant industry experience in assay development, qualification, validation, transfer, and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for microbiology and viral safety assays across programs.
• Lead development, qualification, validation, transfer, and lifecycle management of assays.
• Provide guidance on risk assessment, assay selection, and testing strategies.
• Author and review technical dossiers, validation plans, and regulatory papers.
• Drive innovation in rapid microbiological methods and external collaborations.

Skills

Microbiology

Virology

Adventitious agent safety

Regulatory submissions

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific communication

ATMPs familiarity

GMP knowledge

Education

PhD in Microbiology/Virology

MS/BS with significant experience

Tools

Mycoplasma testing

Sterility testing

Endotoxin testing

Viral safety assays

Rapid microbiological methods

Job description

Principal Scientist, Analytical Development – Microbiology & Viral Safety

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Scientist, Analytical Development – Microbiology & Viral Safety to provide strategic and technical leadership for microbiology and viral safety testing across multiple development programs. This role will serve as the subject matter expert for microbiological and virological assays, supporting control strategy development, process development, regulatory submissions, and commercial readiness. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in microbiological and virological risk assessment, as well as assay evaluation, development, qualification, validation, and lifecycle management. This individual will also demonstrate strong cross‑functional collaboration skills and a passion for scientific innovation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for microbiology and viral safety assays across cell and gene therapy and biologics programs, providing strategic and technical leadership to support development, manufacturing, and regulatory objectives
• Lead the development, qualification, validation, transfer, implementation, and lifecycle management of microbiological assays, including mycoplasma, sterility, Gram stain, and endotoxin methods, as well as viral safety assays
• Provide technical guidance to cross‑functional teams on microbiological and virological risk assessment, assay selection, and testing strategies to support product development, process changes, investigations, and regulatory milestones
• Author and review technical dossiers, validation plans, protocols, reports, and scientific justifications to support regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and inspection readiness
• Drive innovation in rapid and alternative microbiological methods to improve testing efficiency, strengthen manufacturing support, and enable scalable solutions for clinical and commercial programs
• Lead the evaluation, development, validation, transfer, and implementation of rapid and alternative microbiological methods in collaboration with internal stakeholders and external testing laboratories
• Represent the organization in external scientific forums, industry consortia, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen internal capabilities and advance best practices in adventitious agent safety
• Lead wet lab development activities, including hands‑on experimental work

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong expertise in microbiology, virology, and adventitious agent safety
• Strong knowledge of regulatory expectations for microbiological and viral safety testing for clinical and commercial products
• Experience supporting regulatory submissions, inspections, and health authority interactions
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across cross‑functional teams and with external partners
• Strong written, verbal, and scientific communication skills
• Experience in cell and gene therapy, biologics, or advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs)
• Familiarity with rapid and alternative microbiological methods and implementation strategies
• Participation in industry working groups, scientific forums, or consortia.
• Strong understanding of GMP environments and manufacturing support requirements

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in Microbiology, Virology, Biological Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field; PhD preferred, with MS candidates considered based on significant relevant experience
• PhD and 4+ years, or Master’s and 7+ years, or Bachelor’s and 10+ years
• Significant industry experience in assay development, qualification, validation, transfer, and lifecycle management

Pay Range

Pay Range: $140,800 - $211,200

Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job‑related factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous paid time off (including a week‑long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter)
• Educational assistance programs including student loan repayment
• Generous commuting subsidy
• Matching charitable donations
• 401(k)
• So much more

Flex Designation: On‑Site Designated Flex Eligibility Status: In this On‑Site designated role, you will 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.

Help Us Achieve Our Mission

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain and acromegaly, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1‑mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ACTH‑dependent Cushing’s syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work, including 16 consecutive years on Science magazine’s Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

For company updates and to learn more about Vertex’s history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. We believe our culture is one of Vertex’s greatest strengths and a key enabler of our ability to deliver transformative medicines for patients who need them. Rooted in innovation, purpose and collaboration, our culture empowers people to take smart risks, challenge conventional thinking and do their best work. The diversity of our people is central to that culture. By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we foster an environment where new ideas thrive, better decisions are made and breakthrough innovation is possible. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included and connected to our shared mission, because we know that our unique culture and the collective strength of our people are what set Vertex apart.

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. 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 [e-mail].