Principal Scientist, Optical Design & Microscopy

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

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in San Diego seeks a Principal Scientist to lead optical design, microscopy, and functional imaging within the Engineering & Applied Physics group. You will bridge science and engineering, guiding cross-disciplinary teams to develop advanced instruments for automated drug discovery.

You will design prototypes, validate them with proof-of-concept experiments, and collaborate with biologists, chemists, and software engineers to ensure robust, production-ready

Qualifications

• PhD and 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience applying optical techniques in imaging platform design and development.
• Proficiency in programming for data analysis and instrument control.
• Experience with functional measurements in cells (voltage/calcium imaging).
• Expertise in widefield, confocal, light sheet, super-resolution, or two-photon microscopy.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to identify project needs and opportunities where custom instrumentation can have transformative impact.
• Design and build prototype optical instruments for automated drug discovery applications.
• Conduct proof-of-concept experiments and optimize assays in partnership with biologists and chemists.
• Work with engineers to specify, design, and build robust, production-ready instruments for deployment in automated drug discovery.
• Communicate findings and progress through reports, presentations, and discussions.

Skills

Optical design

Microscopy

Functional imaging

Programming for data analysis

Leadership / mentoring

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Physics or related discipline

Tools

Prototype instrument design tools

Job description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated in San Diego seeks a Principal Scientist to lead optical design, microscopy, and functional imaging within the Engineering & Applied Physics group. You will bridge science and engineering, guiding cross-disciplinary teams to develop advanced instruments for automated drug discovery.

You will design prototypes, validate them with proof-of-concept experiments, and collaborate with biologists, chemists, and software engineers to ensure robust, production-ready