Material Science Scientist

Job Description

General Summary

Vertex is seeking an early-career Materials Science Scientist to support the development, characterization, and optimization of materials used in pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing.

The Materials Science Scientist will support Vertex drug development programs by applying materials science and engineering principles to understand the relationships among fundamental material properties, pharmaceutical processing conditions, and final product performance and quality attributes. The successful candidate will apply sound conceptual and data-driven scientific knowledge to their work while continuing to broaden expertise in one or more relevant areas of solid-state science or engineering.

This position is part of the Engineering and Materials Science department, which supports Vertex drug development programs through the development of a deep understanding of the relationships between material properties, pharmaceutical processes, and final product performance and quality. Department members apply materials science and engineering principles to improve process understanding and enable the development of drug candidates.

The successful candidate will join the Materials Discovery Group, which discovers and advances understanding of solid form properties and the relationships among solid form, material properties, process conditions, and product performance. The role will work closely with the Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction team, supporting structural analysis through the preparation and characterization of single crystals.

Beyond core responsibilities on the Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction team, this position offers the opportunity to serve as a broader technical generalist across project teams. The candidate may contribute directly to project decisions as a subject-matter expert, project representative, or through flexible, ad hoc scientific support as project needs arise.

The individual will independently conduct laboratory experiments, including automated experiments, in a fast-paced environment. They will effectively manage priorities, maintain high-quality documentation, and clearly communicate results and recommendations to a range of stakeholders. The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in physical organic chemistry, along with laboratory experience in crystallization and sample characterization.

This position is available in an on-site work arrangement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

- Determine solubility in organic and aqueous systems under controlled temperature conditions.
- Conduct solid-form screening through crystallization studies, including identification of stable polymorphs, phase-diagram generation, and salt and co-crystal formation.
- Perform sample characterization using solid-state and physicochemical analytical techniques.
- Generate single crystals of small-molecule pharmaceutical compounds suitable for structural analysis.
- Determine and analyze small-molecule crystal structures using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Interpret and integrate solid-form, crystallization, and structural data to develop scientifically sound recommendations for project teams.
- Serve as a Materials Discovery representative and/or single-crystal X-ray diffraction subject-matter expert on cross-functional project teams.
- Communicate technical findings, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to support project decisions.
- Provide scientific support across Materials Discovery activities, contributing expertise to priority projects and ad hoc technical needs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to define study strategies, prioritize experiments, and address solid-form or material-property questions throughout development.
- Plan and execute laboratory experiments, including automated experiments, with appropriate guidance.
- Analyze results, troubleshoot routine technical issues, and maintain high-quality laboratory documentation.
- Document experimental procedures, observations, data, and results in laboratory notebooks in a timely manner and with appropriate detail.
- Prepare technical reports detailing structural analyses to support intellectual property activities and development documentation.

Knowledge and Skills

- Strong foundation in materials science, solid-state chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, or related scientific fields.
- Understanding of the relationships among crystal structure, solid form, material properties, pharmaceutical processing, and product performance.
- Ability to apply scientific knowledge to experimental design and data interpretation.
- Hands-on experience with crystallization, solid-form screening, and material characterization.
- Knowledge of solid-state analytical techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic vapor sorption, high-performance liquid chromatography, and related techniques.
- Knowledge of single-crystal X-ray diffraction workflows, including crystal growth, data collection, structure solution, refinement, and interpretation.
- Experience solving, refining, and interpreting small-molecule crystal structures using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Experience analyzing crystal structures in pharmaceutical, drug-development, or small-molecule development settings, including stereochemistry confirmation and interpretation of findings in the context of solid form, polymorphism, or molecular properties.
- Experience generating single crystals of pharmaceutical compounds.
- Experience with solid-form screening, phase-diagram development, salt/co-crystal screening, or crystallization process studies.
- Experience with Bruker and/or Rigaku single-crystal X-ray diffraction instruments and software.
- Experience with Malvern Panalytical and/or Bruker powder X-ray diffraction equipment and software.
- Knowledge of computational modeling, scientific programming, data analysis, automation, or regulated pharmaceutical development environments.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, collaboration, organization, and scientific-writing skills.
- Ability to communicate scientific results clearly to technical colleagues and a range of stakeholders.

Education and Experience

- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline with 0 years of relevant experience; or
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline with 3 or more years of relevant experience; or
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline with 6 or more years of relevant experience; or
- An equivalent combination of education and experience related to Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range:
$99,800 - $149,800

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.

Flex Designation:
On-Site Designated

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will 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.

#LI-Onsite

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