Process Chemistry Principal Scientist

Job Description General

Summary:

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly experienced and motivated Principal Scientist to join the Vertex Manufacturing Center (VMC) Kilo Lab in a dual-capability role that is central to our drug substance development mission. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned pharmaceutical scientist with deep expertise in analytical and preparative chromatographic purification in both an R&D and cGMP environment— including large-scale preparative HPLC, supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), Ion-pair reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-), ion exchange chromatography (AEX/CEX), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC).

This individual will play a pivotal role in jump starting Vertex's emerging kilo-scale cGMP purification capabilities and laboratory, contributing also to new therapeutic modalities with significant pipeline impact.

Key

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead Preparative Chromatography Method Development Spearhead the development, optimization, and scale-up of preparative HPLC and SFC purification methods across all scales — from semi-preparative to kilogram for both R&D and cGMP— selecting appropriate chromatographic modes (RP, NP, IEX, SEC) based on compound class and impurity profile

Execute & Troubleshoot Complex Purification Campaigns Lead hands-on execution of mass-directed and preparative purification campaigns for complex small molecule drug substances, troubleshooting challenging separations and developing creative, scientifically sound solutions

Establish & Maintain Lab

Infrastructure: Drive equipment procurement, column packing, system qualification, and ongoing maintenance of large-scale chromatography platforms; influence technology selection and lab infrastructure investments to build a world-class separations capability

Perform Kilo-Lab Scale Synthesis:
Ability to flex into multi-step synthesis of drug substance intermediates and APIs at gram-to-kilogram scale, including reactions in jacketed vessels and large-scale reactor systems, with full accountability for safety, quality, and yield

Support Scale-Up & Process Chemistry

Collaboration:

Partner with Process Chemistry , Analytical DevelopmentD and project teams to implement and adapt synthetic routes for kilo-lab operations, performing workups, crystallizations, filtrations, and drying at scale, and interpreting analytical data (NMR, HPLC, MS) to drive process decisions

Build Peptide and Oligonucleotide Purification Capability:
Define the strategic roadmap and lead the implementation of kilogram oligonucleotide synthesis (solid-phase phosphoramidite chemistry) and purification platforms (IP-RP HPLC, AEX/CEX, ultrafiltration/diafiltration), including equipment procurement, qualification, and SOP establishment

Mentor & Develop Scientific Staff:
Provide hands-on mentorship, technical coaching, and structured training to junior scientists, associates, and technicians — equipping them to independently master preparative chromatography, separations techniques, and kilo-lab operations

Author & Own GMP Documentation:
Author, review, and approve SOPs, master batch records, validation protocols, purification reports, and technical documents in full compliance with cGMP standards and Vertex quality systems

Lead Cross-Functional Technical Initiatives:
Serve as the organizational SME for preparative purification and drug substance chemistry; lead cross-functional project teams and act as primary technical liaison with Analytical Development, Process Chemistry, Quality, and Manufacturing groups

Ensure GMP Compliance, Quality & Safety:
Ensure all lab operations adhere strictly to cGMP regulations, EHS standards, and Vertex quality requirements; maintain meticulous documentation…