Principal Gene Delivery Biologist – Non-Viral Therapy Lead

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in Boston seeks a Principal Research Associate for the DMD Biology team to build genetic therapy candidates and advance non-viral therapeutics through program gates. You will design, execute, and optimize molecular and cellular assays to characterize delivery, gene expression, and pharmacological responses.

The role requires hands-on experience in molecular cloning, qPCR/NGS, protein assays, and mammalian cell culture, with collaboration across teams to

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on laboratory experience in molecular cloning, molecular biology assays, cell biology assays, protein-based assays, and mammalian cell culture.
• Experience with RNA/DNA extractions, qPCR, plasmid construct design, gene expression analysis, reporter assays, Western Blot/Jess, MSD, immunoprecipitation, ELISA.
• Experience with RNA/DNA therapeutics, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) dosing, receptor biology and intracellular trafficking, gene expression, cell transfection/transduction, or confocal imaging.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills for cross-functional, fast-paced research environments.
• Familiarity with IND-enabling studies, data visualization, report writing, electronic lab notebooks (e.g., Benchling).

Responsibilities

• Build gene expression constructs using advanced molecular biology tools.
• Design, execute, and optimize in vitro assays supporting non-viral delivery biology and gene replacement strategies for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
• Develop cellular and molecular workflows to evaluate uptake, dose response, intracellular trafficking, gene expression, and pharmacological activity.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction and downstream gene-expression analyses (qPCR, RT-qPCR, NGS library construction).
• Execute protein and cellular assays (ELISA, MSD, Western blotting/Jess, immunoprecipitation, reporter gene assays).
• Support in vitro and in vivo evaluation of gene-editing and gene-replacement approaches.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design studies and communicate findings.
• Prepare experimental summaries, data reports, and presentations; maintain electronic lab notebooks.

Job description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in Boston seeks a Principal Research Associate for the DMD Biology team to build genetic therapy candidates and advance non-viral therapeutics through program gates. You will design, execute, and optimize molecular and cellular assays to characterize delivery, gene expression, and pharmacological responses.

The role requires hands-on experience in molecular cloning, qPCR/NGS, protein assays, and mammalian cell culture, with collaboration across teams to