Immunology Senior Research Scientist - Spatial Transcriptomics
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
August 19, 2026
On-site
Seattle, WA
Clinical Research and Development
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead design, execution, and optimization of spatial transcriptomics studies for disease-relevant tissues and model systems.
- Characterize tissue architecture, cellular microenvironments, cell-cell interactions, and spatial organization.
- Generate and interpret high-quality spatial data to support disease biology, target biology, MoA, and biomarker strategies.
- Integrate spatial transcriptomics with single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics, imaging, histology, and other molecular profiling for multi-modal insights.
- Develop/validate workflows for sample prep, assay execution, QC, and data review; drive adoption of best practices/standards.
- Evaluate emerging spatial biology technologies.
- Partner cross-functionally to inform study design, interpretation, and program strategy; communicate results and technical recommendations.
- Prepare protocols, study summaries, presentations; mentor junior scientists.
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:
- Deep expertise in spatial transcriptomics and tissue-based molecular profiling.
- Strong transcriptomics/RNA biology knowledge, tissue architecture, and cellular heterogeneity.
- Experience with fresh frozen and FFPE processing, tissue QA, and assay optimization.
- Familiarity with sequencing- and/or imaging-based spatial platforms.
- Experience integrating spatial data with single-cell, proteomic, imaging, and histologic datasets.
- Computational proficiency for spatial analysis/visualization (R and/or Python) and relevant tools.
- Strong experimental rigor, data quality/reproducibility, and communication in a multidisciplinary environment.
Education and Experience:
- PhD (2+ years) in Immunology/Cell Biology/Molecular Biology/Biology/Biomedical Sciences or related; or Master’s (6+ years); or Bachelor’s (8+ years).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on spatial transcriptomics platform experience (e.g., 10x Visium, NanoString CosMx).
- Histology, immunofluorescence, image analysis, multiplexed tissue profiling.
- Drug discovery/translation/biomarker development experience (immunology/inflammation preferred).
- Single-cell RNA-seq and multi-omics integration; immunology/inflammation disease area experience.
- Spatial proteomics or related tissue profiling.
Compensation:
- Pay range: $124,200–$186,400; eligible for annual bonus and annual equity awards.
- Lead design, execution, and optimization of spatial transcriptomics studies for disease-relevant tissues and model systems.
- Characterize tissue architecture, cellular microenvironments, cell-cell interactions, and spatial organization.
- Generate and interpret high-quality spatial data to support disease biology, target biology, MoA, and biomarker strategies.
- Integrate spatial transcriptomics with single-cell RNA-seq, proteomics, imaging, histology, and other molecular profiling for multi-modal insights.
- Develop/validate workflows for sample prep, assay execution, QC, and data review; drive adoption of best practices/standards.
- Evaluate emerging spatial biology technologies.
- Partner cross-functionally to inform study design, interpretation, and program strategy; communicate results and technical recommendations.
- Prepare protocols, study summaries, presentations; mentor junior scientists.
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications:
- Deep expertise in spatial transcriptomics and tissue-based molecular profiling.
- Strong transcriptomics/RNA biology knowledge, tissue architecture, and cellular heterogeneity.
- Experience with fresh frozen and FFPE processing, tissue QA, and assay optimization.
- Familiarity with sequencing- and/or imaging-based spatial platforms.
- Experience integrating spatial data with single-cell, proteomic, imaging, and histologic datasets.
- Computational proficiency for spatial analysis/visualization (R and/or Python) and relevant tools.
- Strong experimental rigor, data quality/reproducibility, and communication in a multidisciplinary environment.
Education and Experience:
- PhD (2+ years) in Immunology/Cell Biology/Molecular Biology/Biology/Biomedical Sciences or related; or Master’s (6+ years); or Bachelor’s (8+ years).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Hands-on spatial transcriptomics platform experience (e.g., 10x Visium, NanoString CosMx).
- Histology, immunofluorescence, image analysis, multiplexed tissue profiling.
- Drug discovery/translation/biomarker development experience (immunology/inflammation preferred).
- Single-cell RNA-seq and multi-omics integration; immunology/inflammation disease area experience.
- Spatial proteomics or related tissue profiling.
Compensation:
- Pay range: $124,200–$186,400; eligible for annual bonus and annual equity awards.