Principal Optical Imaging Scientist — Advanced Microscopy
Vertex Inc.
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Job summary
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company at our San Diego site. The Engineering & Applied Physics group designs and builds custom instruments with full automation to accelerate drug discovery.
The Principal Scientist will lead optical design, microscopy, and functional imaging efforts, collaborating across physics, biology, chemistry, and software to deliver innovative platforms for therapeutic projects. On-site work and leadership growth opportunities are available.
Qualifications
- PhD in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Bioengineering, or related field and 8+ years of experience.
- Hands-on experience applying optical techniques in imaging platforms for biology.
- Proficiency in programming for data analysis and instrument control.
- Experience with functional measurements in cells (voltage/calcium).
- Expertise in multiple imaging modalities (widefield, confocal, light sheet, super-resolution, two-photon).
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to understand project needs and identify opportunities for instrument impact.
- Align stakeholders and propose new projects to senior leaders.
- Design and build prototype optical instruments.
- Conduct proof-of-concept experiments and optimize assays with biologists/chemists.
- Work with engineers to produce robust, production-ready instruments for automated drug discovery.
- Communicate findings through reports, presentations, and discussions.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company at our San Diego site. The Engineering & Applied Physics group designs and builds custom instruments with full automation to accelerate drug discovery.
The Principal Scientist will lead optical design, microscopy, and functional imaging efforts, collaborating across physics, biology, chemistry, and software to deliver innovative platforms for therapeutic projects. On-site work and leadership growth opportunities are available.
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