MS&T Senior Scientist - Small Molecule Drug Substance

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity awards

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Paid time off and company shutdowns

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC is seeking an MS&T Senior Scientist in Boston to lead multiple projects, perform bench chemistry, and manage cross-functional teams across MS&T, QA, and Regulatory. You will drive process chemistry, transfer technology to CDMOs, and support regulatory filings.

The role requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in chemistry with extensive industry experience, strong communication skills, and willingness to travel up to 20% for validation and manufacturing campaigns.

Qualifications

• Experience in writing and transferring developed technology to external CDMOs.
• Ability to work with suppliers to solve chemical issues for compound delivery.
• Excellent synthetic chemistry laboratory skills.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience with GMPs and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities

• Manage tech transfer and manufacturing collaborations with external CDMOs and change control.
• Perform synthetic organic experiments for development to commercial stages.
• Monitor reactions using analytical methods and develop assay methods with analysts.
• Generate hypotheses to guide synthesis and manufacturing direction.
• Contribute to cross-functional teams and regulatory documentation.

Skills

Synthetic chemistry

Cross-functional teamwork

SOPs & GMPs compliance

CMC/IND preparation

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry

Master's degree in chemistry

PhD in chemistry

Job description

General Summary:

The MS&T Senior Scientist exercises a high level of experimental productivity contributing to the advancement of projects in pharmaceutical development or commercial manufacturing and may be running chemistry on multiple projects concurrently. This role requires bench chemistry as well as the management of projects, including roles on cross-functional project teams representing MS&T.This role will interpret complex chemistry, may champion new technologies and involve an increasing knowledge of related scientific disciplines, including regulatory and quality compliance. Cross functional association with Analytical Sciences & Technology (AS&T) Supply Chain management (SCM), Quality (QA) and Regulatory is expected, along with change management activities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages technical transfer and manufacturing collaborations with external CDMOs, including extensive documentation and change control management.
• Performs synthetic organic experiments efficiently, independently and in a fit-for-purpose fashion for the stage of development (clinical through process validation to commercial).
• Performs reaction process monitoring using a variety of analytical methods and work with analysts developing sufficient methods.
• Generates effective hypotheses to pursue synthesis or manufacturing goals and set new experimental direction as necessary.
• Contributes to department/group discussions and departmental initiatives
• Impacts and participates in cross-functional teams
• Demonstrates a practical and advanced understanding of related scientific disciplines
• Communicates and enables the effective dissemination of advanced ideas, internally and externally
• Multitasks to effectively manage multiple activities/projects.
• Provides technical recommendations regarding process chemistry by assisting other chemists in the department and/or articulating issues to management.
• Makes conceptual contributions to development activities and scientific strategies.
• Provides on the job training and support to other scientists on day-to-day experiments and assists with ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and SOPs.
• Develops internal reports and regular updates at appropriate project intervals and contributes to regulatory documents.
• The ability to travel internationally for up to two weeks at a time to support validation and manufacturing campaigns, up to 20%

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in writing and transferring developed technology to outside CDMOs and working with suppliers to solve chemical issues for compound delivery.
• Excellent synthetic chemistry laboratory skills.
• Ability and track record of successfully working in cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding and knowledge of SOPs and GMPs and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and SOPs.
• Experience and ability to support CMC sections of INDs is preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to exchange complex technical/scientific information with others in complex situations and to prepare presentations and reports as required.
• Ability to interact/communicate with various levels throughout the organization.

Education and Experience:

• Requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in chemistry and 8+ years of experience or a master's degree in chemistry and 5+ years of experience or a PhD and 2-5 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in a related field is required (research and development, pharmaceutical development, chemical manufacturing) along with current laboratory experience

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.

Pay Range:

$120,000 - $180,000

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.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generou