Summer Intern 2027, Material Science
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Summary
The Vertex Material Science Intern is an 11-week experiential training program for students. The intern will gain meaningful experience in the Engineering and Material Science (EMS) functional areas.
Job description
Your Impact
The Vertex Material Science Intern is an 11-week experiential training program for students. The intern will gain meaningful experience in the Engineering and Material Science (EMS) functional areas.
What you will be doing
The Engineering and Material Science (EMS) team is a multi-disciplinary group focused on understanding core engineering science issues surrounding drug substance and drug product scale-up, including the interplay of material structures, powder properties, formulation design, and associated manufacturing processes. The team also helps elucidate the solid form landscape and explores novel materials for development by performing crystallization screenings. This internship will support the development and optimization of automated workflows for solid-form screening and characterization. The student will gain hands-on experience with sample preparation, XRD, image-based analysis, and lab automation.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform polymorph screening to evaluate different methods for solids isolation using image and pattern analysis
- Use automated solids and liquids dispenser to prepare slurries of API in organic solvents
- Evaluate manual method for preparing XRD plates and analyze resulting XRD patterns
- Develop an analysis method for validating images collected from experiment
- Translate manual workflow into high-throughput automation platform using robotics and programming
- Integrate workflow into existing Unchained Labs robot platform
- Write image analysis script to automate validation
- Communicate findings to EMS team and automation scientists
Required Qualifications
- Enrolled BS/MS/PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Experience working in a wet lab environment
- Demonstrated problem-solving or troubleshooting ability through coding, robotics or automation
- Proficiency in data analysis and visualization using Excel or other software
- Ability to communicate and document technical procedures clearly for diverse audiences
- Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future
- Must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before May 2027
- Available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from May – August 2027
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with XRD (X-ray diffraction) and HighScore Plus
- Ability to use FIJI / ImageJ and Python to build image processing pipelines
- Prior exposure to Unchained Labs solids or liquids handlers or other high-throughput platforms
Requirements
- Enrolled BS/MS/PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
- Experience working in a wet lab environment
- Demonstrated problem-solving or troubleshooting ability through coding, robotics or automation
- Proficiency in data analysis and visualization using Excel or other software
- Ability to communicate and document technical procedures clearly for diverse audiences
- Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future
- Must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before May 2027
- Available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from May – August 2027
- Experience with XRD (X-ray diffraction) and HighScore Plus
- Ability to use FIJI / ImageJ and Python to build image processing pipelines
- Prior exposure to Unchained Labs solids or liquids handlers or other high-throughput platforms
Benefits
- Gym access
- Group exercise classes
- Commuter benefits
- Free breakfast
- Career development opportunities
- Social events
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Paid time off
- Educational assistance
- Student loan repayment
- 401(k) Matching
- Matching charitable donations
Company overview
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1989. The company specializes in discovering, developing, and commercializing transformative medicines for serious diseases, with a primary focus on cystic fibrosis (CF). Vertex has pioneered breakthrough therapies including TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO, SYMDEKO/SYMKEVI, ORKAMBI, and KALYDECO, which collectively treat approximately 90% of CF patients. Beyond CF, the company has expanded its portfolio to include treatments for sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain, and has robust clinical pipelines in APOL1-mediated kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Vertex employs approximately 6,100 people globally and maintains research facilities in San Diego, California, and Milton Park, Oxfordshire, England. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ (VRTX) and is recognized as one of the industry's top workplaces, consistently earning accolades for its innovative culture and patient-focused approach to drug development.