Lead Optical Scientist – Microscopy & Imaging

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Principal Scientist in San Diego to lead optical instrument design and advanced imaging development for drug discovery. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to translate biology into engineering solutions, delivering innovative platforms and automated systems.

The role requires a PhD with 8+ years, strong project leadership, and hands-on experience with imaging modalities and data-driven instrument control.

Qualifications

• PhD with 8+ years of relevant optical design experience in biology or medicine.
• Hands-on experience developing imaging platforms and optical instruments.
• Proficiency in programming for data analysis and instrument control.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to identify opportunities for custom instrumentation.
• Design and build prototype optical instruments and production-ready systems.
• Lead proof-of-concept experiments, optimize assays with biologists and chemists.
• Work with engineers to deploy robust instruments for automated drug discovery.
• Communicate findings through reports and presentations.

Skills

Optical design

Ray tracing

ABCD matrices

Gaussian beams

Optical aberrations

Automation

High-throughput screening

Biology integration

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Physics / Physical Chemistry / Bioengineering

Job description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Principal Scientist in San Diego to lead optical instrument design and advanced imaging development for drug discovery. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to translate biology into engineering solutions, delivering innovative platforms and automated systems.

The role requires a PhD with 8+ years, strong project leadership, and hands-on experience with imaging modalities and data-driven instrument control.