Research Scientist, Human Cell Models — Immunology & Molecular Cell Biology (Contract)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 82,656 - 89,544; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals seeks a Research Scientist, Human Cell Models in Boston to develop, optimize, and execute human cell models and assays for immunology and molecular biology research.

You will work with primary and immortalized cells, perform flow cytometry, cytokine profiling, and advance mechanistic studies to support target identification and small molecule discovery.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with PBMC isolation, enrichment and culture of primary lymphocyte populations.
• Proven expertise in multicolor flow cytometry and immunophenotyping.
• Experience developing and executing cellular assays for protein quantification, interactions, localization, signaling, or reporter readouts.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyze, interpret cell-based and immunology-focused experiments for target identification, validation, and mechanism studies.
• Develop and optimize in vitro human cell model systems and assay workflows.
• Culture and evaluate B cells, PBMC-derived immune cells, primary human cells, and immortalized lines.
• Perform immunophenotyping with multicolor flow cytometry and complex panel design.
• Develop and miniaturize cell-based assays for screening and mechanistic applications.
• Routinely execute assays to support medicinal chemistry design cycles.
• Perform cytokine profiling and immune functional readouts using MSD/Luminex platforms.
• Analyze data, communicate findings to project teams, and maintain documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional scientists to improve assays and data quality.

Skills

PBMC isolation

Primary lymphocyte culture

Immunophenotyping

Multicolor flow cytometry

Cytokine profiling

Molecular biology

Genome engineering

Assay development

Data analysis

Communication

Education

PhD in Immunology or related

MS in Immunology or related with 5+ years

Tools

Luciferase assays

AlphaLISA

FRET/BRET

Western blot

Job description

Job Description

Research Scientist, Human Cell Models — Immunology & Molecular Cell Biology

Location: Boston, MAEmployment Type: 1-year contract / Research Scientist role

Company Overview

Vertex is a global biotechnology company focused on scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The role sits within a collaborative research environment supporting discovery and development efforts through disease-relevant human cell models, assay development, and mechanistic biology.

Role Summary

Vertex is seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist, Human Cell Models to support immunology and molecular/cell biology research at the Boston Research site. This scientist will contribute to the development, optimization, and execution of relevant human cell models and cell-based assays to support target identification, validation, small molecule discovery screening, and mechanism-of-action studies.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on expertise in primary cell culture, including PBMC and lymphocyte culture and differentiation, immunophenotyping, molecular biology, genome engineering, and assay development. A successful candidate will be scientifically curious, technically rigorous, and comfortable working in a fast-paced research environment to build disease-relevant models, enable translational biology, and generate actionable insights for research programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, analyze, and interpret cell-based and immunology-focused experiments to support target identification, target validation, small molecule discovery, and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot in vitro human cell model systems and assay workflows using immune, primary, and/or immortalized cell models.
• Culture, maintain, and evaluate B cells, PBMC-derived immune cell populations, primary human cells, and/or immortalized cell lines for functional and mechanistic studies
• Perform and optimize immunophenotyping assays using multicolor flow cytometry, including complex panel design and data interpretation.
• Develop and miniaturize cell-based assays, including fluorescent, luminescent, FRET/BRET, luciferase, AlphaLISA, Western blot, and other protein quantification or localization assays for screening and mechanistic applications.

• Routinely execute developed cell-based assays to support medicinal chemistry design cycles
• Perform cytokine profiling and immune functional readouts using platforms such as MSD and Luminex.

• Analyze datasets, interpret biological results, and clearly communicate findings, recommendations, and next steps to project teams.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality experimental records and documentation aligned with Vertex standards.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional scientists and interdisciplinary project teams to support program goals, scientific decision-making, assay improvements, data quality, and reproducibility.

Required Experience

• Hands-on experience with PBMC isolation, enrichment and culture of primary lymphocyte populations (B cells, T cells, and other immune subsets), immune cell functional assays, and culture of primary and immortalized human cell lines.
• Proven expertise in multicolor flow cytometry and immunophenotyping, including experience with complex panels
• Experience developing and executing cellular assays for protein quantification, protein interactions, localization, signaling, or reporter-based readouts using technologies such as luciferase, AlphaLISA, FRET, BRET, and/or Western blotting.
• Experience with cytokine profiling platforms such as MSD and Luminex
• Ability to independently design and execute experiments, troubleshoot technical issues, interpret biological data, and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present results clearly and work effectively in a collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in stromal biology, inflammation, immune cell activation, differentiation, and/or signaling pathways
• Experience working with primary or immortalized cell models
• Familiarity with Python coding, bioinformatics, NGS analysis, or large assay data analysis
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary research programs in a fast-moving discovery environment.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline with 0–3 years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience. OR
• M.S. in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant academic or industry experience.

Pay Range

$60-$65/HR

Requisition Disclaimer

This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner on assignment at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (“Vertex”). The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of a third- party agency partner; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by the third-party agency partner upon offer. The pay rate range provided is a reasonable estimate of the anticipated compensation range for this job at the time of posting. The actual pay rate will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, location and/or being pursued and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition, this role will be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements

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