Vertex Spring Co-Op 2027, Process Chemistry

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free 24/7 onsite gym access

Subsidized commuter benefits

Provided meals—free breakfast daily

Career development opportunities

Social events

Job summary

Vertex Process Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated co-op student to join our team in January 2027. You will gain experience in organic synthesis to develop and scale processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients, working with chemists and engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Thorough training will cover advanced technologies for optimization and scale-up, including high-throughput experimentation, flow chemistry, and machine learning tools.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, process chemistry, or pharmaceutical development.
• Completion of undergraduate organic chemistry coursework and associated laboratory courses.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future.

Responsibilities

• Train in advanced laboratory & experimental design techniques (flow chemistry, photochemistry, DoE, Bayesian optimization).
• Collaborate with chemists and engineers to design novel chemical experiments.
• Apply good laboratory techniques to syntheses of complex organic compounds.
• Maintain thorough records in a detailed electronic lab notebook.
• Present project progress and experimental data to the project team.

Skills

Interest in organic chemistry

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Chemical Engineering

Organic chemistry coursework and labs

Tools

NMR

HPLC

GC

LC‑MS

IR

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 Process Chemistry Co-Op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards a bachelor's or master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry 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 Process Chemistry 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

Vertex Process Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated and scientifically curious co-op student to join our team in January of 2027. Within Process Chemistry, scientists apply their expertise in organic synthetic chemistry to develop and execute scalable manufacturing processes of active pharmaceutical ingredients as these novel therapeutics undergo clinical trials. This role offers the opportunity to directly contribute to impactful process development research at Vertex while working with Process Chemistry and Engineering scientists in our collaborative, fast-paced environment. With thorough training and hands‑on experience, the co‑op will support the application of advanced technologies for the optimization and scale‑up of photoredox catalysis, including high‑throughput experimentation, flow chemistry, and machine learning tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Train in advanced laboratory & experimental design techniques (flow chemistry, photochemistry, Design-of-Experiments [DoE], Bayesian optimization, etc.).
• Work closely with a team of chemists and engineers to design novel chemical experiments through group discussion and collaboration.
• Apply good laboratory techniques to the syntheses of complex organic compounds according to the developed research plan.
• Maintain a thorough record of your work through a detailed and clearly written electronic laboratory notebook.
• Evaluate reaction optimization techniques for photoredox catalysis.
• Develop a substrate scope, determine functional group tolerance, identify reactivity limitations, and evaluate reaction kinetics under the conditions identified in reaction optimization.
• Use scientific literature to guide experimental design and interpret results.
• Present project progress and experimental data, and recommendations to the project team.
• Once trained, operate and interpret data from relevant analytical instruments (e.g. NMR, HPLC, GC, LC-MS, IR, etc.).
• Deliver a presentation to the Process Chemistry department and prepare a research summary document upon the completion of the co‑op.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degrees in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Third‑year undergraduate student or above at the start of the co‑op term.
• Completion of undergraduate organic chemistry coursework and associated laboratory courses.
• Strong interest in synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, process chemistry, or pharmaceutical development.
• Ability to work safely, independently, and collaboratively in a laboratory environment.
• Strong organization, documentation, problem‑solving, and both written and verbal communication skills.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future.
• Vertex does not provide sponsorship for internships/co‑ops or entry level roles within this part of the organization.
• You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before May 2027.
• You must be available to work full‑time, 40 hours per week from January - July 2027.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous internship, undergraduate research, or laboratory experience.
• Prior experience in synthetic organic chemistry research is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with one or more analytical techniques (e.g. NMR, HPLC, GC, LC-MS, IR, etc.).
• Experience searching scientific literature, patents, and chemical databases.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and organize experimental results and communicate scientific findings clearly.

Program Details

Full‑time, paid co‑op $25.00 - $35.00 USD/hour

Program Dates: January - July 2027

Application Deadline: November 15th, 2026

Benefits

• Free 24/7 onsite gym access and free access to group exercise classes.
• Subsidized commuter benefits- transit and parking.
• Provided meals—free breakfast daily!
• Career development opportunities and events, including C Suite engagement.
• Social events—both intern‑only and company‑wide.
• Location-specific perks and extras!
• Recognition of National Intern Day.

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.

Temporary Role 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.

Pay Information

Pay Range: $0 - $0

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.

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, type1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type1. 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.