Senior Research Associate - Analytical Development (Contract)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC in Boston seeks a contract lab specialist to support cell and gene therapy analytical testing. The role emphasizes leading routine assays, troubleshooting, and collaborating with Analytical and Process Development teams to advance Vertex cell therapy programs.

Strong hands-on experience with ELISA, PCR, and flow cytometry is required. The position is onsite in Boston for 6 months with potential extension, occasional weekend work, and some travel between nearby sites.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree or higher in a relevant life sciences field.
• Experience with cell therapies and analytical development preferred.
• Strong ability to follow SOPs and maintain accurate ELN documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine testing to support process development and release assays.
• Execute ELISA, Alphalisa, MSD, PCR, qPCR, and flow cytometry analyses.
• Set up and monitor daily automated runs and integrated systems.
• Present data and progress at group or project meetings.
• Coordinate sample shipments and track reagents inventory.
• Contribute to data management and timely deliverables.
• Support second shift/weekend coverage and travel within 2 miles when needed.
• Maintain lab safety and GLP-compliant documentation.

Skills

Pipetting skills

Aseptic cell culture technique

Multiple cell types culture

Molecular and plate-based techniques

SOP adherence

Effective communication

Strong organization

Pressure management

MS Office proficiency

Lab safety (GLP)

Education

BS in Cell & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or related

MS in related field (0-2 years experience)

Tools

Hamilton robotic liquid handler

Tecan robotics tools

Fluent Gx / VENUS software

Job description

Job Description

The cell and gene analytical technologies team within Vertex cell and genetic therapies (VCGT) is seeking an individual for 6-month contract who can serve as a key contributor in expanding our testing capabilities and supporting routine analytical activities. The ideal candidate will have experience with a range of cell-based and plate-based analytical methods, strong troubleshooting skills, and a thorough understanding of SOPs and report documentation. Extensive hands‑on experience with cell therapies is preferred. This individual will collaborate and coordinate across cross‑functional teams within Analytical and Process Development, to support the development of Cell and Gene Therapy processes and products.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively involved in routine testing to support process development and characterization and release assays for identity, potency, genome profiling and impurities for Vertex preclinical, clinical and next generation cell therapy programs.
• Perform sample testing for analytical development team by using a variety of techniques; (e.g- ELISA, Alphalisa, MSD, PCR, Flow Cytometry both manually and using automation tools like liquid handlers.
• Assist analytical development teams with setting up, monitoring, and successfully completing daily automated runs and integrated systems.
• Report on project progress and reports or present data effectively at internal group or project team meetings as needed.
• Coordinate shipment handling, including receiving, logging, and distributing samples and reagents from internal and external sources.
• Track inventory for samples and reagents as needed for several projects.
• Participate in data management activity to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Support Monday to Friday with occasional weekend days, and second shift/late evening coverage as required for process and analytical development teams on several assays as required and flexible to travel between sites within 2.0 mile distance.
• Be a strong team player contributing to group priorities and deliverablesand great attention to detail skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment with changing priorities
• Maintain excellent written documentation of completed experiment (ELN) and maintain knowledge share systems (MS‑Teams and share points).
• Ability to follow and understand SOPs and review protocols or reports as needed along with good analytical understanding for data interpretation.
• Assist with lab organization and compliance with lab safetyprotocols.
• This position isprimarily lab‑based.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education level and/or relevant experience(s)

Required: (Graduate in Cell & Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or related discipline)BSwith 2+ years experienceor MSwith 0-2 years experience.

Preferred:

Relevant industry experience in biologics or cell and gene therapy space.

Knowledge and skills (general and technical)

Required:

• Possesses excellent pipetting skills.
• Strong knowledge of aseptic cell culture technique.
• Has experience culturing multiple different cell types including but not limited to stem cells, primary cells and cell lines.
• Hands‑on experience with molecular and plate‑based techniques related to cell and gene therapy like ELISA, Alphalisa, MSD, PCR, qPCR, Cell counting methods, aspectic techniques etc.
• Experience withor understandingrobotic liquid handers (Hamiltonor other) and their operating software (Fluent Gx,VENUS, or other) for automated sample preparation.
• Ability to follow SOPs andcarry out cell culture assays.
• Has excellent communication skills and is effectively able to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and good attention to detail.
• Possess standard lab safety regulations and work in GLP like laboratory environment
• Ability to utilize Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word to perform tasks as assigned.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or priorities within required timelines.

Preferred:

• Industry experience in cell and gene therapy space.
• Experience working with ELN/LIMS systems.
• Experience working withpluripotent/hematopoieticstem cells.
• Knowledge of lab automation tools such as Hamilton and Tecan.

Working Environment:

• This is an onsite position at our Boston LC site and occasional travel to Boston FP site.
• Ableto work upright and stationary and/or standfor typical working hours.
• Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technologywith proficiency.

Contract Length: 6 months with the chance to extend.

Pay Range

$38/hr.- $45/hr.

Shift/Hours

Support Monday to Friday with occasional weekend days, and second shift/late evening coverage as required; Onsite

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

No C2C or Third-Party Vendors