About the role#
The Process Development Co-Op is a 6-month program within the Drug Product Development team. You will contribute to a high-impact cryopreservation project for Type 1 Diabetes drug products. This role involves establishing workflows to evaluate cryoprotective agent (CPA) diffusion and characterizing islet responses. You will integrate experimental imaging data with computational modeling to optimize cryopreservation parameters.
What you'll do#
- Establish a standardized cryo-microscopy workflow for real-time imaging of stem cell-derived islets during loading, unloading, and freeze-thaw cycles.
- Design and execute cryopreservation studies using selected CPA formulations.
- Develop an initial computational modeling framework to correlate CPA diffusion kinetics with islet morphology.
- Integrate experimental and computational results to characterize CPA diffusion and inform process optimization.
- Maintain accurate records of experimental activities, methods, and analyses in electronic laboratory notebooks.
- Author study reports, technical summaries, and standardized protocols.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a graduate degree (PhD or master’s preferred) in a scientific discipline such as Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or Engineering.
- Experience with mammalian cell culture, including aseptic technique and sample preparation.
- Foundational knowledge of cell cryopreservation and hands-on experience with freezing and thawing processes.
- Experience with cell microscopy, including staining, image acquisition, and evaluation.
- Knowledge of computational modeling approaches related to molecular dynamics or diffusion kinetics.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Location & details#
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Term: January - July 2027
- Work Modality: On-site, 40 hours per week
- Compensation: $30.00 - $50.00 per hour
- Employment: Full-time, paid position
- Eligibility: Must have legal authorization to work in the United States; no sponsorship provided.
About Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company founded in 1989. It focuses on scientific research to develop medicines for serious diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and various forms of pain. The company maintains its global headquarters in Boston and operates research and commercial sites across the globe. It employs between 5,001 and 10,000 people.
How to get in at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
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