At a glance

Location: Boston, MA
Work type: Onsite
Start: Spring 2027
Category: Research

What they are looking for

NephelometryProtein purificationProtein assaysMolecular biologyBiophysical characterization

Location: Boston, MA

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 Structural Biology & Biophysics Co-Op program is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an undergraduate or advanced degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, biotechnology, biophysics, molecular biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our Structural Biology and Biophysics functional areas 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

Vertex is seeking a curious and motivated laboratory co-op student to support our Structural Biology and Biophysics team. This hands-on opportunity is designed for students who are interested in learning about laboratory-based drug discovery research, protein science, and biophysical characterization.

Working alongside experienced scientists, the co-op student will receive guidance and training while contributing to experiments that help characterize proteins, assess molecular interactions, and support the advancement of potential therapies. The role is based on-site, with laboratory work being a core component of the position.

Key Responsibilities

Support daily laboratory activities and research projects within the Structural Biology and Biophysics team.

Learn and perform routine laboratory techniques under the guidance of experienced scientists.

Prepare buffers, reagents, samples, and assay plates by following established procedures.

Support biochemical and biophysical assay activities, including nephelometry-based experiments used to evaluate properties such as sample solubility, aggregation, or precipitation.

Collect, organize, and document experimental data using laboratory notebooks, electronic systems, spreadsheets, and reports.

Follow Vertex laboratory safety, quality, documentation, and compliance requirements.

What you will need to succeed

Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, biotechnology, biophysics, molecular biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or another related scientific field.

Available to work on-site for the full duration of the co-op assignment.

Interest in laboratory research, protein science, structural biology, biophysics, or drug discovery.

Completion of introductory college coursework with a laboratory component in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field.

Comfortable following detailed procedures and asking questions when clarification is needed.

Ability to keep clear, accurate records of work performed.

Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively as part of a team.

Prior experience in structural biology, biophysics, or pharmaceutical research is preferred. Training and mentorship will be provided.

Prior exposure to structural biology and/or biophysics through coursework, academic research, laboratory projects, internships, or scientific literature review is beneficial.

Interest in structural biology, biophysics, protein science, biochemistry, or drug discovery.

Exposure to laboratory techniques such as protein purification, protein assays, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, or biophysical characterization.

Familiarity with nephelometry, turbidity measurements, microplate-based assays, plate readers, or laboratory automation is beneficial but not required.

Experience using Excel or similar tools to organize, analyze, and graph scientific data.

Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks, scientific documentation, or presenting project results.

Demonstrated curiosity, reliability, and enthusiasm for developing laboratory and scientific problem-solving skills.

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