Senior Research Scientist - Pathology Image Analysis

Senior Research Scientist, Computational Pathology & Image Analysis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Senior Research Scientist, Computational Pathology & Image Analysis to join the Histopathology team within Preclinical Safety Assessment (PSA) in Boston. This is a lab-based role focused on developing, applying, and troubleshooting image analysis workflows that support tissue-based assays across preclinical research programs.

PSA is responsible for the design and conduct of comprehensive nonclinical safety programs across all stages of discovery and development. In this role, you will support biomarker evaluation, and efficacy studies by generating high-quality image-derived data through the application of digital pathology and quantitative image analysis, while helping the group evaluate emerging and AI-enabled tissue analytics approaches over time.

The successful candidate will be a technically excellent individual contributor who enjoys hands-on problem solving, workflow development, and high-quality delivery in a collaborative, service-oriented environment. You will develop and apply image analysis workflows for whole-slide brightfield and fluorescence imaging, including H&E, IHC, multiplex IF, RNAscope, and special stain assays, working closely with pathologists, histotechnologists, and cross-functional scientists to generate high-quality image-derived data that support preclinical and translational research programs.

Because Histopathology supports multiple discovery and development teams, this individual must be able to work independently, manage competing priorities, partner effectively with stakeholders, and deliver quality analyses on accelerated timelines. While this is not a dedicated AI or computational scientist role, the ideal candidate will bring curiosity and practical experience with computational pathology, AI/ML-enabled image analysis, computer vision, or other emerging digital pathology tools to help shape the future of the function.

• Develop, execute, and troubleshoot image analysis workflows for tissue-based assays in a lab-based histopathology environment
• Analyze whole-slide brightfield and fluorescence images, including H&E, IHC, multiplex IF, RNAscope, and special stain assays
• Perform image review, annotation, segmentation, cell phenotyping, biomarker quantification, morphometric analysis, and quality control
• Partner with pathologists, histotechnologists, and cross-functional scientists to interpret results and deliver fit-for-purpose analyses that support preclinical programs
• Independently manage image analysis requests, prioritize work across multiple stakeholders, and deliver high-quality results in a timely manner
• Contribute to dataset curation, annotation strategies, and evaluation of emerging AI/ML, computer vision, and automated image analysis approaches where appropriate
• Introduce new techniques, tools, and best practices that strengthen digital pathology and image analysis capabilities within the Histopathology function
• Summarize and communicate image analysis results to multidisciplinary teams through reports, technical presentations, SOPs, and workflow documentation

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision, or a related field (or equivalent degree) and 6 years of relevant employment experience, or
• Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision, or a related field (or equivalent degree) and 6 years of relevant employment experience, or
• PhD in Biological Sciences, Pathology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision, or a related field (or equivalent degree) and 6 years of relevant employment experience, or
• Typically requires 6 years of experience working in a research- or industry-based histology, pathology, digital pathology, or image analysis laboratory, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing and applying image analysis workflows for whole-slide brightfield and/or fluorescence imaging
• Knowledge of…