Spring 2027 Co-op, Performance Excellence and Business Transformation at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

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 Performance Excellence and Business Transformation Co-Op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Business Analytics, Health Informatics, Data Science, Operations Research, 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 Performance Excellence and Business Transformation 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: 
PEBT (Performance Excellence & Business Transformation) is focused on advancing operational excellence across GCO by leveraging digital transformation, AI, automation, and data-driven decision making to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical development operations. The Digitization Strategy COE serves as a key engine for this transformation, driving the evaluation and deployment of AI-enabled capabilities such as agentic workflows, digital protocols, process intelligence, predictive analytics, and AI-assisted document generation.

The PEBT Co-op will partner with GCO team members to evaluate, prototype, and scale AI and automation opportunities that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical operations. Responsibilities include mapping business processes, analyzing operational challenges, developing proofs of concept using low-code / no-code platforms as well as analytics tools, and using data to inform decision making. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate ambiguity, break down complex problems, and translate business needs into practical, buildable solutions.

The role will also support the Performance Excellence workstream by helping enable and sustain the platform used to track performance metrics. The Co-op will develop practical experience in platform use, data integration, technical documentation, process design, and continuous improvement while partnering with Performance Excellence, GCO business stakeholders, data owners, and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities:

The PEBT Co-op will work closely with the Digitization Strategy COE & Performance Excellence team on several priority transformation projects. Examples of these project areas include:

Develop process maps and workflow analyses for high-priority GCO processes to identify opportunities for automation, AI augmentation, and efficiency gains via technology integration.
Analyze manual clinical operations processes and develop a future-state workflow that incorporates automation or agentic AI capabilities, e.g. Copilot.
Build proof-of-concept agents using low-code / no code enterprise platforms to address business challenges.
Create analyses, reports, presentations, and executive summaries that communicate opportunities, progress, outcomes, and business value.
Develop metrics and dashboards to track adoption, efficiency gains, and business impact, i.e. ROI, for AI-enabled initiatives.
Complete platform training and develop proficiency in its functionality, data structures, workflows, and reporting to develop training documentation.
Document the technical requirements, data flows, business rules, dependencies, and controls needed to incorporate Vertex data.
Draft and help implement operating processes, work instructions, governance routines, data-quality reviews, issue resolution, and platform administration.
Identify and document enhancement opportunities and support requirements gathering, testing, stakeholder feedback, deployment readiness, and measurement of improvements.

Qualifications:

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in: Business Analytics, Health Informatics, Data Science, Operations Research, or a related discipline
Coursework or demonstrated experience in analytics, process improvement, operations management, digital transformation, AI, or technology enablement preferred.
Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate ambiguous business challenges into clearly defined processes, requirements, and solution opportunities.
Experience documenting and improving business processes through process mapping, workflow analysis, value stream mapping, or similar methodologies.

Familiarity with emerging AI technologies, including generative AI, agentic workflows, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation.

Demonstrated ability to work at the intersection of business and technology, effectively communicating with both operational stakeholders and technical teams.
Hands-on experience developing or deploying solutions using low-code, no-code, or business productivity platforms. Examples include Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Power Automate, Power Apps, or comparable technologies.
Ability to organize and analyze data, identify trends and insights, and communicate findings through presentations, dashboards, and executive-ready recommendations.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and incomplete information.

Fundamental Python and/or SQL scripting experience sufficient to support rapid prototyping, data analysis, or collaboration with technical development teams preferred.
Exposure to healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, clinical research, or other regulated industries.
Interest in digital transformation, operational excellence, and applying technology to solve complex business problems.
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 January – July 2027

Program Details:  

Full-time, paid co-op $30.00 – 35.00 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:  Hybrid - Boston

Flex Eligibility Status:  Hybrid: work three 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:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

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