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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.

Ready to apply? Submit your application and let’s turn possibilities into reality!

Important Notice Regarding Internship and Co-op Inquiries

At Vertex Pharmaceuticals, we are committed to providing a fair and structured recruitment process for all students interested in internship and co-op opportunities. To ensure consistency and equity, all student applications must go through our Early Talent Acquisition Team.

Due to the high volume of interest, we are unable to respond to individual solicitation. Direct solicitation to Vertex employees- including senior leaders via email will result in removal from the recruiting process.

We appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in Vertex. To be considered for internship or co-op roles, please apply directly through our official application channels. (https://www.vrtx.com/careers/career-growth-and-opportunities/co-ops/)

Thank you for respecting our process and helping us maintain a fair experience for all candidates.

Your Impact
The Predictive and Investigative Safety Assessment Co-op program is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards a PhD in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computational Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, 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 Preclinical Safety Assessment functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career.

The application deadline for this co-op is April 3rd. 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 Predictive and Investigative Safety Assessment group (PISA) is looking for a co-op to assist with the development and implementation of in silico and in vitro models to support organ-specific toxicity assessment. The successful candidate will 1) identify key molecular pathways and biomarkers related to preclinical liver toxicity through computational approaches, and 2) support the translation of identified in vivo markers to complex cell models in vitro. We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in computational modeling and liver cell culture. 

The assignment potentially includes one or a combination of the following responsibilities: 

• The candidate will build and optimize computational models with the goal of refining transcriptomic markers of liver injury and developing in silico and in vitro screening tools for liver toxicity assessment.

• The candidate will relate in vivo gene expression signatures predictive of injuries to transcriptomic data derived from in vitro liver systems.

• The candidate will develop complex cell cultures and validate gene expression changes using qPCR or Luminex panels and functional changes using high-content imaging to build in vitro-in vivo correlation of identified markers.

Expected day-to-day duties:

• The candidate will be expected to apply best practices and document their computational and experimental work.

• The candidate will regularly present their progress in formal and informal settings to colleagues.

• The candidate will interface with colleagues in PISA as well as other functional departments, including Data & Computational Sciences, Pharmacology, Formulation, and DMPK.

• The candidate must have the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

What you will need to succeed:

Required:​ 

• Pursuing a PhD in any of the following areas: biology, biomedical sciences, computational biology, molecular biology, cell biology, or related fields​​.

• Extensive experiences in statistics and computational modeling (e.g., machine learning or systems biology) in the context of biomarker discovery.

• Strong proficiency with complex cell models (e.g. 3D culture, organoids, 2.5D culture, microphysiological systems) using primary and/or stem cell culture techniques​.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail​ 

• Strong oral and written communication skills​.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.​

• Capacity to work full-time onsite in San Diego, CA.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future. Please note that Vertex does not provide sponsorship for internships or entry level roles within this part of the organization.

• You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before December 2026.

• You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from July – December 2026.

Preferred:​ 

• Experience with liver cells in 2D and/or complex liver culture​.

• Experience with qPCR, immunofluorescence, confocal imaging​.

• Experience with supervised learning using high-dimensional omics data.

• Knowledge of one or more of the following: toxicology, preclinical safety, data analytics, bioinformatics​.

Program Details:

• Full-time, paid co-op $33.00 – 50.00 USD/hour

• Program Dates: July – December 2026

• Application Deadline: April 3rd, 2026

At Vertex, we believe that when you feel your best, you can perform at your best. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you.

• 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 Eligible

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.

Equal Opportunities
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.

Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Accessibility & Accommodations
We're focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. Vertex is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. 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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com

Export Control Notice
This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant's ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role, Vertex is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license.

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.

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.

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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com