Principal Research Scientist, Targeted Drug Delivery

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, pain, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases.

The Principal Research Scientist will focus on targeted drug delivery including nucleic acid therapies. This role will be on-site in our state-of-the-art research site in San Diego. The successful candidate will have extensive expertise in receptor biology and targeted delivery in extrahepatic tissues/cells which is instrumental in the development of novel therapeutics.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic plans for receptor & ligand identification, characterization, optimization, and application in drug discovery.
• Responsible for executing research plans, collecting and interpreting data, trouble shooting, and defining next steps.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners (medicinal chemistry, computational genomics, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, protein sciences) to support integrated drug discovery programs from target validation through lead optimization.
• Apply innovative approaches and stay current with advances in receptor biology, ligand discovery, and nucleic acid therapeutics to strengthen pipeline opportunities.
• Prepare and present data in project team meetings, contributing scientific insight and recommendations to guide program strategy.
• Maintain high standards of scientific rigor, accurate documentation, data integrity, and compliance with regulatory guidelines.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong expertise in receptor biology, ligand–receptor interactions and signaling mechanisms.
• Hands-on experience with biochemical, biophysical, and/or cell-based assays to study receptor function and behavior.
• Experience with ligand-mediated delivery into specific tissues or cell types is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated track record of scientific achievement (e.g., publications, presentations, or contributions to therapeutic programs) in receptor biology and targeted drug delivery.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent personal and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive decision-making across functions.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, and innovative environment

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry or related science and 4-7 years of relevant post-doctoral employment experience, or
• Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry or related science and 7+ years of relevant employment experience, or
• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent degree) in biology, biochemistry or related science and 10+ years of relevant employment experience