Toxicology Research Scientist
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
June 30, 2026
On-site
San Diego, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Research Scientist (Predictive and Investigative Safety Assessment/Toxicology) — San Diego
Role/Responsibilities:
- Design and develop fit-for-purpose assays to investigate toxicological mechanisms using advanced 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and/or co-culture systems.
- Lead development and application of platforms for studying toxicology in multicellular systems, including immune cell interactions and primary cell-based models.
- Develop and optimize assays to evaluate toxicological mechanisms with a focus on precision, reproducibility, and scalability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate advanced in vitro models into drug discovery workflows to support safety assessment and therapeutic development.
- Apply automation and high-throughput plate formats to enhance assay performance and throughput.
- Partner with Systems Toxicology to generate/analyze complex biological datasets and establish in vitro–in vivo correlations.
- Communicate findings and project progress to inform decisions and strategic goals.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Familiarity with omics datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, secretomics, etc.).
- Scripting experience (Python and/or R/Bioconductor).
- Cross-functional collaboration; self-motivated, organized, innovative; excellent communication/presentation.
- Troubleshoot complex biological and technical challenges.
- Passion for advancing toxicology research.
Education/Experience:
- Ph.D. (or equivalent) in toxicology/cellular biology/immunology/biochemistry/biophysics (or related) with 0–3 years postdoc; OR Master’s (3+ years); OR Bachelor’s (6+ years).
- Strong expertise with 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip, and/or co-culture systems (primary epithelial + immune cells preferred).
- Experience designing/optimizing cell-based assays for disease modeling/mechanisms of toxicity.
- Immune cell biology and immune-mediated toxicity co-culture models.
- High-throughput plate formats and immune cell co-culture models highly desirable.
Compensation/Benefits (explicitly stated):
- Pay range: $101,600–$152,400; eligible for annual bonus and annual equity awards.
Work Location:
- On-site; five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Role/Responsibilities:
- Design and develop fit-for-purpose assays to investigate toxicological mechanisms using advanced 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and/or co-culture systems.
- Lead development and application of platforms for studying toxicology in multicellular systems, including immune cell interactions and primary cell-based models.
- Develop and optimize assays to evaluate toxicological mechanisms with a focus on precision, reproducibility, and scalability.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate advanced in vitro models into drug discovery workflows to support safety assessment and therapeutic development.
- Apply automation and high-throughput plate formats to enhance assay performance and throughput.
- Partner with Systems Toxicology to generate/analyze complex biological datasets and establish in vitro–in vivo correlations.
- Communicate findings and project progress to inform decisions and strategic goals.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Familiarity with omics datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, secretomics, etc.).
- Scripting experience (Python and/or R/Bioconductor).
- Cross-functional collaboration; self-motivated, organized, innovative; excellent communication/presentation.
- Troubleshoot complex biological and technical challenges.
- Passion for advancing toxicology research.
Education/Experience:
- Ph.D. (or equivalent) in toxicology/cellular biology/immunology/biochemistry/biophysics (or related) with 0–3 years postdoc; OR Master’s (3+ years); OR Bachelor’s (6+ years).
- Strong expertise with 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip, and/or co-culture systems (primary epithelial + immune cells preferred).
- Experience designing/optimizing cell-based assays for disease modeling/mechanisms of toxicity.
- Immune cell biology and immune-mediated toxicity co-culture models.
- High-throughput plate formats and immune cell co-culture models highly desirable.
Compensation/Benefits (explicitly stated):
- Pay range: $101,600–$152,400; eligible for annual bonus and annual equity awards.
Work Location:
- On-site; five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.