Description

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!

Your Impact
The Vertex Single Cell Genomics Co-Op program is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Systems Biology, Developmental Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, 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 analytical sciences functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career.

Please note that Vertex reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close this job posting prior to the listed deadline.

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.

What you will be doing:

The co-op student's primary role is applying bioinformatics skills to interpretate bulk and single cell RNA sequencing data to deepen our understanding of the stem cell differentiation process, and monitor the differentiation progress. Specifically, they will use bioinformatics tools, such as Seurat or Scanpy, to map time course differentiation trajectory and identify potential correct and wrong trajectories of our process. Using the knowledge gained in this activity, the candidate will then nominate lists of genes to enable development of other RNA-based assays to closely monitor stem cell differentiation process. The co-op student will also assist in wet lab construction of single cell RNA sequencing libraries, and operation of Illumina sequencers.

Key Deliverables at Project Completion:

• Daily mapping of our differentiation process using available single cell RNA sequencing data.
• A collection of wrong differentiation trajectories and a collection of potential failure modes identified by single cell RNA sequencing.
• Lists of RNA targets to monitor correct and wrong differentiation trajectories.

Key Learnings Expected:

• Skills on single cell RNA sequencing library construction, data analysis and data visualization.
• Deeper understanding of developmental biology, stem cell biology, and stem cell engineering.
• Presentation of large and complex data.

What you will need to succeed:

• Enrolled in a graduate program in Systems Biology, Computational Biology, Developmental Biology, Stem Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another related field
• Analysis, visualization, and interpretation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Experience with Seurat, Scanpy, DESeq2 and other bioinformatics tools used for single cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing data analysis is preferred.
• Proficiency with R, Python, Linux systems, high-performance computing systems
• Fundamental knowledge in developmental biology, stem cells and differentiation are preferred
• Fundamental knowledge in sequencing library preparation and sequencer operation are preferred
• A team-oriented growth mindset that welcomes feedback from others and supports other team members; strong collaboration skills to work across teams and functions
• A positive attitude that enthusiastically tackles and overcomes challenges
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to prioritize needs
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, including the ability to tailor scientific content to audiences with different backgrounds
• 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 June 2026
• You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from January - June 2026

Program Details:

• Full-time, paid co-op $26.00 - 50.00 USD/hour
• Program Dates: January - June 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: Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select

2. 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.

Pay Range:
$0 - $0

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