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.
Your Impact
The Vertex Integrated Pharmacology Co-op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in pharmacology, biological sciences, or a related scientific discipline. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our Research functional area and serve as a launchpad for your career.
The application deadline for this co-op is November 15th, 2026. Please note that Vertex reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close this job posting prior to the listed deadline. Applicants can expect to receive an update about their application before or shortly after the application deadline.
Ready to apply? Submit your application and let's turn possibilities into reality!
What you will be doing
We are seeking a talented, self-motivated, and collaborative in vivo pharmacology Co-op to support late-stage drug discovery within our Integrated Pharmacology team. This role offers the opportunity to work alongside experienced biologists in a highly collaborative environment, contributing to studies that establish therapeutic proof-of-concept across diverse disease areas. Under the guidance of their manager, the co-op will support the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of sophisticated in vivo and ex vivo experiments. Responsibilities will include conducting experiments, analyzing and documenting data, and communicating findings to cross-functional project teams. The ideal candidate has a foundational understanding of pharmacology and hands-on familiarity with in vivo mouse techniques and ex vivo method, including protein-based assays (e.g., Western blotting), flow cytometry, cell isolation, cell fractionation and molecular techniques including qPCR, is preferred. The successful candidate will be a dependable, detail-oriented team player with strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in the planning, design, and execution of in vivo and ex vivo pharmacology studies under guidance of manager or project team, demonstrating sound scientific judgment and reliable follow-through.
- Work towards independently conducting assigned experiments using established methodologies, standard operating procedures, and study protocols.
- Apply literature-based methods and, with guidance from supervisor, adapt or optimize protocols to meet experimental needs and improve assay performance.
- Conduct initial data analysis, interpretation, and summarization using appropriate scientific and analytical approaches; identify key findings, conclusions, and potential follow-up studies.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and well-organized experimental records, including methods, raw data, observations, analyses, and conclusions, in accordance with laboratory standards.
- Prepare clear scientific summaries, figures, and presentations to communicate study progress, data, findings, and recommendations to project team members.
- Present experimental results at internal group research meetings, as appropriate.
- Prepare a final presentation and/or written project summary outlining project objectives, methods, findings, conclusions, and proposed next steps.
- Collaborate effectively with cross-functional colleagues while independently managing assigned experimental activities, priorities, and timelines.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
What you will need to succeed
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in pharmacology, biological sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
- Experience with in vivo mouse techniques, including subcutaneous (SC), intravenous (IV), oral (PO), and intraperitoneal (IP) dosing; perfusion; and blood and tissue collection.
- Experience with ex vivo laboratory techniques, including protein-based assays (e.g., Western blotting and ELISA), flow cytometry, and molecular biology methods such as qPCR.
- Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn, understand, and apply new scientific concepts, methodologies, and laboratory techniques.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and results-focused, with the flexibility to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic research setting.
- Excellent written, verbal, and scientific communication skills, with the ability to clearly document experimental work and communicate results to team members.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future. Please note that Vertex does not provide sponsorship for internships/co-ops or entry level roles within this part of the organization.
- You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2027
- You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from January – June 2027
Program Details
- Full-time, paid co-op $25.00-50.00 USD/hour
- Program Dates: January – June 2027
- Application Deadline: November 15th, 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
Flex Eligibility Status
This role is designated as the following:
- 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.
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.
Combined Pay & Temp Status Disclosure (FOR REMOTE AND/OR CALIFORNIA BASED ROLES)
Pay Range 25.00 – 50.00 USD/hour
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. The range provided is a reasonable estimate for the pay range for this job at the time of posting. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. The actual pay rate will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
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
