Scientific Senior Specialist, Cell Therapy

Job Description

Vertex is looking for a talented individual to join our team as a scientific specialist contractor in the Cell Therapy Core & process development team. In this key role, you’ll lead the development and production of high-quality media and cell therapy products to support our Cell and Gene Therapy projects. As a senior contractor, you’ll be crucial in our process development, setting schedules, and maintaining production operations, schedules. This role will focus on process development, drug substance material generation, and supervising operations for media, factors, and reagents.

Our Process Development group is dynamic and fast-paced, ideal for those who excel in energetic environments. We’re seeking an expert in Stem cells, Upstream processing, or related fields, with a strong background in technical operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Process Development & Drug Substance Production

• Perform stem cell therapy process development and drug substance (DS) production activities, including DS/DP characterization, process investigations, and manufacturing support.
• Execute stem cell therapy experiments, including routine cell passaging, bioreactor-based cell expansion, and harvest, formulation operations.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize media components, supplements, and overall cell culture performance.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies to advance cell therapy development capabilities.

Media & Reagent Operations Management

• Oversee and execute the preparation of cell culture media, growth factors, reagents, and buffers for large-scale operations.
• Manage kitting activities and inventory control for critical raw materials.
• Develop and optimize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols for media and solution preparations, ensuring high quality and compliance with cGxP standards.
• Troubleshoot technical issues in media preparation processes and ensure operational efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Analytical Development (AD) and Process Development (PD) teams to ensure seamless production operations and technical alignment, and maintain the request and tracking system (e.g., Smartsheet).
• Support PD, AD activities through process optimization, technical troubleshooting, and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience in media development and cell culture (stem cell culture experience preferred).
• Proficiency in analytical tools (e.g., spent media analysis, omics), aseptic techniques, and bioreactor operations.
• Excellent operational excellence, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Availability for weekend work to support stem cell culture activities as needed.
• Bachelor's/ MS in Chemistry/ Chemical Engineering or related discipline with 4+ years of industry experience; an MS with 2+ years of industry experience.

Contract Length:

12 months with the chance to extend.

Pay Range

$45/hr - $55/hr

Shift/Hours

Monday - Friday. Weekend availability required

Requisition Disclaimer

This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner on assignment at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (“Vertex”). The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of a third- party agency partner; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by the third-party agency partner upon offer. The pay rate range provided is a reasonable estimate of the anticipated compensation range for this job at the time of posting. The actual pay rate will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, location and/or being pursued and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition, this role will be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements

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