Senior Scientist, Stem Cell Biology – Neurobiology (Contract)

Company Overview

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. We bring together world-class scientific, technical, and commercial talent to advance research and deliver meaningful therapies to patients. Our culture is grounded in collaboration, integrity, scientific excellence, and a commitment to improving human health.

Role Summary

Vertex is seeking a talented and highly motivated Senior Scientist, Stem Cell / Neurobiologist to join our research organization. This individual will play a key role in advancing human stem cell-based neural models to support disease biology, target validation, and therapeutic discovery initiatives. The successful candidate will bring expertise in pluripotent stem cell biology, neurobiology, genetic editing and engineering, and cellular characterization, as well as demonstrated experience with viral and non-viral delivery platforms.

The Senior Scientist will be expected to independently design and execute complex studies, drive scientific strategy within cross-functional teams, and contribute meaningfully to platform development and research direction. This role requires strong scientific leadership, experimental rigor, and the ability to communicate effectively in a highly collaborative environment.

Work Model: On-site

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute, and interpret complex experiments using human pluripotent stem cells, including iPSC- and ESC-derived neural cell models
• Develop, optimize, and implement robust differentiation protocols for neuronal cell types to support discovery research programs
• Generate, engineer, and characterize disease-relevant stem cell models using genetic editing and cellular engineering strategies
• Lead the design and execution of high-throughput quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays for gene expression analysis, profiling, and screening applications
• Perform immunostaining and microscopy-based characterization of stem cell-derived neural populations
• Utilize flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for cellular phenotyping, enrichment, and analysis of defined subpopulations
• Establish and advance functional and phenotypic assays to evaluate neural differentiation, maturation, and disease-relevant cellular responses
• Analyze complex biological datasets, draw scientifically rigorous conclusions, and communicate findings to project teams, cross-functional partners, and leadership
• Contribute to research strategy, experimental planning, and decision-making across multidisciplinary teams
• Maintain clear, accurate, and contemporaneous documentation of experimental work, data analyses, and study conclusions

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Stem Cell Biology, Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific discipline
• 3+ years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry experience, or equivalent scientific experience, with a strong record of independent research achievement
• Demonstrated expertise in the culture, maintenance, engineering, and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells
• Strong hands-on experience with genetic editing and engineering approaches in relevant cellular systems
• Experience applying lentiviral and/or LNP-based delivery technologies in research settings
• Proven expertise in high-throughput qPCR, Western blot analysis, immunostaining, and flow cytometry/FACS
• Strong understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neural development, function, and disease biology
• Demonstrated ability to independently design rigorous experiments, solve complex scientific problems, and advance research programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present data and recommendations to multidisciplinary teams
• Proven ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment

Technical Skills Required

• Human pluripotent stem cell culture, maintenance, and differentiation (iPSC/ESC)
• Stem cell-based neural disease modeling
• Genetic editing and engineering, including CRISPR/Cas9 or related technologies
• Lentiviral vector transduction and optimization
• High-throughput quantitative PCR (qPCR)
• Western blot analysis
• Immunostaining and immunocytochemistry
• Flow cytometry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
• Fluorescence and confocal microscopy
• Cellular phenotyping and assay development
• RNA/DNA extraction, molecular sample preparation, and gene expression analysis
• Quantitative data analysis and interpretation of complex biological datasets

• Industry experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical research
• Experience generating engineered stem cell lines for disease modeling, mechanistic studies, or target validation
• Experience applying viral and non-viral delivery systems for gene perturbation or therapeutic research
• Knowledge of neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, or broader CNS disease biology
• Proficiency with data analysis and visualization tools
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management capabilities
• Record of scientific publication and/or impactful contributions to research programs

$62-$65/HR

This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner on assignment at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (“Vertex”). The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of a third- party agency partner; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by the third-party agency partner upon offer. The pay rate range provided is a reasonable estimate of the anticipated compensation range for this job at the time of posting. The actual pay rate will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, location and/or being pursued and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition, this role will be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements

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