Material Science Intern

Job Description

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 Material Science Intern is an 11-week experiential training program for students. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, an intern at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our EMS functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career.  

The application deadline for this co-op is January 15th. 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:  
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. We leverage high-throughput crystallization platforms and analytical techniques to guide form selection strategies. 

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

The intern will evaluate existing lab methods and explore opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, reproducibility, and throughput in support of pharmaceutical development.

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 (active pharmaceutical ingredient) 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 our 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. 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 May 2027 
• You must be 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

Program Details:  

• Full-time, paid internship $23.00 - $32.00 USD/hour 

• Program Dates: May – August 2027 

• Application Deadline: January 15th, 2027

Recruitment Process & Timeline

Our recruitment process follows a rolling timeline, with the following anticipated dates:

• Application Review: December – January
• Interviews: January – April
• Offers Extended: January – April

Please note that timelines may vary depending on the position and hiring team.

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  

Our Ways of Working  
Flex Designation:  On-Site - Boston

Flex Eligibility Status:  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. 

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.

Pay Range:

$0 - $0

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: 
1.    Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2.    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. 

#LI-Hybrid
 

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 [email protected]