Vertex Spring Co-Op 2027, Exploratory Chemistry

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site Boston

Total rewards package

Job summary

Vertex Exploratory Chemistry Co-Op in Boston offers a 6-month, full-time, paid program for students pursuing advanced degrees in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry. You’ll gain hands-on experience across chemistry and biology teams, preparing reagents, running experiments, and analyzing data to support process development and manufacturing readiness.

The role emphasizes collaboration, learning, and professional growth, with a January–July 2027 schedule, rolling reviews, and a competitive pay of

Qualifications

• Senior, Master’s, or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry required.
• Experience with small molecule solubility and stability studies or related assays preferred.
• Familiarity with LC-MS data interpretation and chemical handling best practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize chemical reagents and mixtures for small molecule studies.
• Support solubility and stability assessments under defined conditions.
• Process and interpret LC-MS data for identity and degradation profiling.
• Document methods, observations, and results clearly for reproducibility.
• Summarize findings and provide recommendations to optimize workflows for the T1D program.

Skills

LC-MS familiarity

Small molecule interactions

Organic chemistry

Education

Senior, Master’s, PhD Chemical Engineering/Chemistry degree

Tools

LC-MS instruments

Job description

Job Description Kickstart Your Career at Vertex! Are you ready to make a real impact? At Vertex, our mission is to tackle serious diseases and to change lives, for the better, for the future. Our aim is to give you the skills, insights, and career guidance to be an important part of that future; to turn your potential into progression. As a Vertex intern or co-op, you'll work on meaningful projects, collaborate with talented teams, and learn from industry leaders. We're passionate about innovation, inclusion, and supporting your growth- inside and outside the lab.

Why Vertex? Real Projects: You'll work on assignments that make a real impact, not just busy work. Mentorship & Networking: Connect with leaders and peers who want to see you succeed through professional networks, connections, and collaborations that will shape your longer-term career. Flexible & Supportive: We offer flexible work options with Flex @ Vertex and prioritize your wellbeing. Inclusive Culture: Collaboration and inclusion are embedded in everything we do. Career Launchpad: Build skills, explore career paths, and get guidance for your future career.

Your Impact The Vertex Exploratory Chemistry Co-Op, is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or other related fields. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our PD Media Development functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career.

The application deadline for this co-op is November 15th. Please note that Vertex reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close this job posting prior to the listed deadline. Applicants can expect to receive an update about their application before or shortly after the application deadline.

What you will be doing:

The co-op will support small molecule studies by evaluating the solubility and stability of chemical mixtures. Their primary project will support the collaborative effort between PD and PharmSci to establish an understanding of mixture storage, stability and chemical compatibility, with the goal of generating data that supports process development and future manufacturing readiness. The co-op will gain hands-on experience, working with both chemistry and biology teams to prepare reagents, run experiments, analyze data, and support related cell culture studies. This is an opportunity to learn how small molecules are formulated and applied in biologically relevant systems.

Key Responsibilities:

• 1. Prepare and organize chemical reagents and mixtures to support T1D small molecule studies.
• 2. Support solubility and stability assessments for selected chemical mixtures under defined conditions in collaboration with PharmSci and AD.
• 3. Process and interpret LC-MS data to evaluate compound identity, integrity, and degradation profiles.
• 4. Document experimental methods, observations, and results in a clear and reproducible manner.
• 5. Summarize findings and provide recommendations to support optimization of small molecule workflows for the T1D program.

Qualifications:

• Senior, Master's, PhD Chemical Engineering/Chemistry degree.
• LC-MS familiarity.
• Experience with small molecule interactions, organic chemistry, experiments to determine the solubility and stability of small molecules.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future.
• You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2027.
• You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from January - June 2027.

Program Details:

Full-time, paid co-op $30.00 - 50.00 USD/hour. Program Dates: January - July 2027. Application Deadline: November 15th, 2026.

Pay Range: $0 - $0 Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Employment Details

This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner that provides services to Vertex. The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of that third-party agency; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by the third-party agency upon offer.

Our Ways of Working

Flex Designation: On-Site - Boston Flex Eligibility Status: On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility. Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail].

Help Us Achieve Our Mission Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain and acromegaly, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 16 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X We believe our culture is one of Vertex's greatest strengths and a key enabler of our ability to deliver transformative medicines for patients who need them. Rooted in innovation, purpose and collaboration, our culture empowers people to take smart risks, challenge conventional thinking and do their best work. The diversity of our people is central to that culture. By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we foster an environment where new ideas thrive, better decisions are made and breakthrough innovation is possible. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included and connected to our shared mission, because we know that our unique culture and the collective strength of our people are what set Vertex apart.