Structural Biology & Biophysics Principal Research Scientist

Job Description

General Summary :

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.

The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases.

Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases.

The Principal Scientist will contribute to our research efforts in structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry as an integral member of the Protein Sciences Department.

The Department is responsible for all gene to structure work as well as cell-based approaches to study the mechanism of action of new and existing therapies.

This role will be on-site in our state-of-the-art research facility in San Diego.

Key Duties and Responsibilities :

• Provide hands-on contributions to strengthen Vertex’ internal capabilities in Cryo Electron Microscopy (CryoEM), Cryo Electron Tomography (CryoET), mechanism of action (MoA) studies, and structure-based new drug design.
• Provide hands-on contributions to visualize macromolecular structures at a nanoscale resolution within their natural environment.
• Implement AI-based technologies to facilitate protein construct design and protein structure determination.
• Design and perform sophisticated and technically challenging mechanism of action studies that impact critical project goals.
• Generate effective hypotheses to pursue project goals and encourage the use of new experimental approaches.
• Integrate and collaborate with different functions across the organization.

Knowledge and Skills :

• Deep understanding (industry experience preferred) in applying and developing emerging CryoEM, CryoET, and biophysical technologies to solve protein structures at atomic resolution and macromolecular assemblies within their natural environment.
• Ability to apply AI-based techniques to facilitate protein construct design and protein structure prediction.
• Experience in designing and building mechanistic assays to define mechanism of action of various therapeutic approaches.
• Experience with multiparameter optimization of sample preparation.
• Established reputation with a track record in the field of membrane protein biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology.
• Demonstrated independent thought / creativity in science with attention to details.
• Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) in articulating goals, objectives, hypotheses, and results to the group and larger cross-functional project teams.
• Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced, cross-functional, and multi-disciplinary work environment.

Education and Experience :

• Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in cellular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines and 4-7 years of relevant post-doctoral employment experience, or
• Masters Degree (or equivalent degree) in cellular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines and 7+ years of relevant employment experience, or
• Bachelors Degree (or equivalent degree) in cellular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines and 10+ years of relevant employment experience
30+ days ago