Vertex - Early Development Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex – Early Development Fellowship is a two-year program based in Boston, MA, conducted in partnership with Northeastern University. It provides Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulations, and Early Development Medical Directors rotations to translate investigational therapies into first-in-human trials.

The fellowship emphasizes PK/PD expertise, model-informed development, and regulatory-supported documentation, with hands-on project strategy, data analysis, and training on software

Qualifications

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong time management and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative on a variety of projects at both the industry site and Northeastern University.

Skills

Communication skills

Time management

Leadership

Independent work

Education

PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy)

Job description

Vertex – Early Development Postdoctoral ResearchFellow

Northeastern University Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships Programis a two-year experiential program designed to advance lifelonglearning and the education and training of Pharm.D. graduates. Akey element of the program's success is preparing Fellows to meetevolving workforce needs across various sectors of thepharmaceutical industry.

In partnership with Northeastern University, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is offering a two-year Early Developmentfellowship, based in Boston, MA.

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientificinnovation to create transformative medicines for people withserious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat theunderlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening geneticdiseases - cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease andtransfusion-dependent beta thalassemia - and continues to advanceclinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has arobust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across arange of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deepinsight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy,neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, primary membranousnephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1diabetes, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters inBoston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally,the company has research and development sites and commercialoffices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and theMiddle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of theindustry's top places to work, including 16 consecutive years onScience magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune's 100 BestCompanies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more aboutVertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us onLinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter/X.

Responsibilities

Early Development Fellowship Description:

Early Development comprises Clinical Pharmacology (CP), Modeling& Simulations (M&S), and Early Development MedicalDirectors (EDMD). CP provides pharmacokinetic (PK) andpharmacodynamic (PD) expertise. M&S provides model-driven PKand PK/PD quantitative pharmacology expertise. EDMD leads earlyclinical strategies and provides expertise in translatinginvestigational therapies into first-in-human trials, whether theyare healthy volunteers or patients.

Vertex provides a structured 2-year fellowship program involvingthree rotations across Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling andSimulation, and Early Development Medical spanning different phasesof development. Throughout the program, Early Development fellowswill participate in relevant project strategy planning anddevelopment, analyze and interpret clinical trial results, andtrain on software utilized within the department (e.g., NONMEM, R,or Phoenix WinNonlin). The objectives specific to each rotationinclude:

Clinical Pharmacology Rotation:

• Design and lead clinical pharmacology studies (first-in-human,bioavailability, drug-drug interaction, immunogenicity)
• Serve as clinical pharmacology lead and provide clinical trialoperations support
• Conduct noncompartmental PK analysis
• Author clinical pharmacology sections of clinical study reportsand provide support to regulatory documents

Modeling and Simulation Rotation:

• Implement model informed drug development (MIDD) using quantitative approaches (e.g., population PK, PK/PD, optimal sampledesign) to address critical questions during drug development
• Contribute to M&S plans and/or translationalmedicine/clinical development plans
• Conduct modeling and simulation activities to aid in the designand conduct of clinical trials (e.g., dose selection, samplecollection)
• Author M&S reports and/or regulatory documents in support ofregulatory submissions

Early Development, Medical Rotation:

• Support design and execution of first-in-human studies (healthyvolunteer or patient)
• Contribute to design of early proof of mechanism (POM) strategiesand studies
• Contribute to design and execution of drug-drug interaction,ADME, TQT, and special population studies (hepatic and renalimpairment)
• Contribute to biomarker strategy development
• Assist in updating investigator brochures and developing labelinglanguage based on Phase 1 study results

Qualifications

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an ACPE-accreditedinstitution
• Eligible for pharmacist licensure in the State ofMassachusetts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong time management and leadership abilities
• Ability to work independently and take initiative on a varietyof projects at both the industry site and Northeastern

Additional Information

Applicants should submit the following application materials by thepriority deadline of October 31, 2026.

• Curriculum vitae (CV), uploaded
• Unofficial PharmD transcripts, uploaded
• Cover letter, uploaded

Letters of Recommendation

Three formal Letters of Recommendation (LORs) must be submitteddirectly by the letter writers no later than November 23,2026.

• The candidate's full name
• The fellowship program(s) to which the candidate is applying(e.g., Smith, John - Alnylam, GSK)

Please ask your letter writers to complete and submit the Letterof Recommendation Form along with their recommendation.

Address cover letter and letters of recommendation to:

J. Andrew Orr-Skirvin, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy & Health Systems Sciences
Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowship Program Director

360 Huntington Ave, 140 The Fenway R218 Boston, MA 02115

Northeastern University will not provide H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, or anyother type of employment visa sponsorship for the successfulapplicant to this position, now or in the future. STEM OPT is notcompatible for this position. The successful applicant must be ableto maintain valid work authorization in the United Statesthroughout the entire appointment without Northeastern University'ssponsorship for a visa.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate workexperience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefiteligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paidtime off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- aswell as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receiveconsideration for employment without regard to race, religion,color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disabilitystatus, or any other characteristic protected by applicablelaw.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type

108S

Expected Hiring Range

$60,315.00 - $85,192.50