Spring Co-Op 2027, Drug Product Development - Cell Therapy Cryopreservation

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 Process Development Co-Op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, or other related fields. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our Drug Product Development functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career.  

 

The application deadline for this co-op is November 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 Drug Product Development team within Process Development is responsible for developing scalable, high-quality drug product processes to advance Vertex’s Cell and Gene Therapy programs from early development through manufacturing readiness.

This Co-op position offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact cryopreservation process development project for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) drug product. The role will focus on establishing a cryo-microscopy workflow to evaluate cryoprotective agent (CPA) diffusion into islets and characterize islet responses across different cryoprotective formulations and cryopreservation conditions. By integrating experimental imaging data with computational modeling, the Co-op will characterize CPA diffusion kinetics, inform formulation development, and identify opportunities to optimize key cryopreservation parameters. This experience offers hands-on exposure to cell therapy drug product development and collaboration with cross-functional teams advancing innovative therapies for people living with T1D.

Key Responsibilities:

Over the course of this 6-month Co-op, the individual will contribute to the following project deliverables:

• Establish a standardized cryo-microscopy workflow for real-time imaging of stem cell-derived islets during CPA loading, unloading, and controlled freeze/thaw cycles, including sample preparation, staining, imaging, and data-capture procedures.
• Design and execute cryopreservation studies using selected CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies, generating cryo-microscopy datasets to characterize islet morphology and response across conditions.
• Develop an initial computational modeling framework that complements experimental cryo-microscopy data. Model the correlation between CPA diffusion kinetics, islet size and morphology, and cryopreservation process parameters.
• Integrate experimental and computational results to characterize CPA diffusion kinetics and islet response across formulations and process conditions. Use findings to identify promising CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies and guide next steps for screening and cryopreservation process optimization.
• Maintain detailed, accurate records of experimental activities, methods, data, analyses, and conclusions in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs). Author study reports, technical summaries, and standardized protocols for the established cryo-microscopy and computational modeling workflows.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree (PhD and master’s are preferred); or undergraduate degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, including aseptic technique, routine cell culture handling, media preparation, and sample preparation; experience with stem cells or stem cell-derived products is preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of cell cryopreservation and hands-on experience with cell freezing and thawing; experience with cell aggregates, spheroids, organoids, or other three-dimensional cell systems is a plus.
• Experience with cell microscopy, including sample preparation, cell staining, image acquisition, and image-based evaluation; experience with cryo-microscopy is a plus.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computational modeling approaches relevant to molecular dynamics, diffusion kinetics, or cryopreservation processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to independently troubleshoot experimental challenges, manage priorities, and maintain accurate documentation and attention to detail in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

• Highly motivated and collaborative team player with strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to learn new techniques while contributing to complex, high-impact process development work.
• 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 – July 2027 

 

Program Details:  

• Full-time, paid co-op $30.00 – 50.00 USD/hour 

• Program Dates: January – July 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  
  
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:

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