Stem Cell Research Director — Islet Foundry Lead (On-Site)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 254,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site work

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a dynamic leader to head the cell Foundry, driving stem cell‑derived islet production to support the Cell & Gene Therapy pipeline focused on Type‑1 diabetes. You will oversee a multidisciplinary team, align projects with strategic goals, and foster collaborations across R&D disciplines.

The role requires strong leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced research environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent with 4–7 years of post‑doc experience, or
• Master's with 7+ years of relevant employment experience, or
• Bachelor's with 10+ years of relevant employment experience

Responsibilities

• Lead the cell Foundry team across T1D programs and collaboration efforts
• Innovate, streamline, and automate stem cell expansion and differentiation
• Prioritize projects and communicate with leadership to meet IND‑enabling goals
• Coordinate experiments across cell types and lines with stakeholders
• Evaluate molecular characteristics of stem cells and SC‑islets using analytical tools
• Present findings in reports and presentations to the group and collaborators
• Mentor staff, align with goals, and manage budgets and data integrity
• Draft departmental documents for regulatory submissions and publications
• Support IP filing and cross‑disciplinary collaboration to advance Vertex programs
• Help shape department goals and strategies for broader scientific objectives

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Team leadership

Molecular biology

Mentoring

Strategic judgment

Clear communication

Scientific creativity

Education

PhD in molecular biology

Master's in molecular biology

Bachelor's in molecular biology

Job description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a dynamic leader to head the cell Foundry, driving stem cell‑derived islet production to support the Cell & Gene Therapy pipeline focused on Type‑1 diabetes. You will oversee a multidisciplinary team, align projects with strategic goals, and foster collaborations across R&D disciplines.

The role requires strong leadership, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced research environment.