Job Description

General Summary:

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases - cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia - and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

The Senior Director Structural Biology and Biophysics will further develop our research efforts in structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry for the site. This role will be on-site in our state-of-the-art research site in Boston. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists in utilizing state-of-the-art techniques to elucidate the structures of critical targets, key protein-ligand and protein-protein interactions, and molecular mechanisms of action of our therapeutic approaches.Your expertise in structural biology and biophysics will be instrumental in guiding our drug discovery programs and providing key insights for the advancement of novel therapeutics.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of scientists and researchers specializing in structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry, providing guidance, mentorship, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to leverage structural biology and biophysics approaches for target identification, validation, mechanism of action studies, and drug discovery.
• Oversee and improve the design, execution, and analysis of experiments using a range of techniques, such as cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, , and other biophysical assays.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including medicinal chemists, computational scientists, and cellular biologists, to drive integrated drug discovery projects from target selection to lead optimization and delivery of clinical candidates.
• Apply your expertise in protein-ligand interactions and structural biology to guide hit identification, lead optimization, and the development of structure-based drug design strategies.
• Define the strategic direction for the structural biology and biophysics department, and contribute to the overall research and development strategy of the company.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in the field of structural biology and biophysics, and integrate new technologies and methodologies into the drug discovery process.
• Foster external collaborations with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners to enhance the company's capabilities.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, patents, and regulatory documents, as well as presentations at conferences and meetings.
• Provide scientific leadership and guidance to support decision-making processes and project prioritization as a member of the site research leadership team as a member of the site research leadership team.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines, maintain accurate records, and promote a culture of scientific rigor and integrity within the team.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Established reputation with a strong track record of scientific impact in driving drug discovery programs forward by initiating and implementing protein biochemistry, biophysics, protein mechanism of action and structure/function studies. Experience can come from functional or cross-functional project leadership roles.
• Experience in managing scientific teams, individual and team performance, goal setting, and career growth development and building a culture of innovation and inclusion.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and mentor a team of scientists and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate goals, objectives, and present complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Extensive experience interfacing with internal and external stakeholders to collaborate and execute on research programs, deliver results, and influence decision making.
• A collaborative and innovative mindset, with a passion for advancing scientific knowledge and making a meaningful impact to benefit patients.

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Structural Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, or a related field and 11+ years of industry / academic experience with a minimum of 5 years managing a team.
• Master's degree (or equivalent degree) and 15+ years of relevant employment experience, or
• Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent degree) and 20+ years of relevant employment experience.
• Extensive experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or leading academic biomedical research setting, with a proven track record of leading and managing teams in structural biology, biophysics, and biochemistry.
• Experience in applying structural biology and biophysics to advance drug discovery programs.

Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For.

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