Senior Director, Material Science

Job DescriptionGeneral Summary:Vertex is seeking a talented individual to join the Engineering and Materials Science department in Boston, MA to lead the Materials Development Group. The Material Science Senior Director will support Vertex's drug development programs through a specialized depth and breadth of knowledge of various relationships between materials properties, pharmaceutical processing conditions, and final product performance and quality attributes. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of applying specialized knowledge in solid state science and engineering principles and be a productive, results-oriented leader who is able to lead a diverse team of engineers and scientists and contribute to the successful development and scale-up of drug substance and drug product candidates.Key Duties and Responsibilities:Lead a team responsible to:Design experiments to discover and characterize all aspects of solid form discovery and development (stable form identification, polymorphism, salts, co-crystals, amorphous material, etc.) for pharmaceutical solid-state materialsDesign, validate, and implement advanced characterization techniques and predictive models which connect material properties, pharmaceutical processing conditions, and final product performance in the interest of process development and streamlining formulation designLeverage knowledge of physiochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of drug substances to influence in vitro and/or in vivo studies that resolve issues related to drug discovery and formulation development.Decipher pharmacokinetic data and be accountable for nominating the most appropriate API polymorph across all phases of development. Drive project activities and scientific strategies (including at external CROs)Potentially lead projects, representing all aspects of pharmaceutical sciencesDrive innovation and explore new scientific projects and/or business initiatives for company considerationBe vested in developing team members and technically mentoring junior-level scientistsWork in a fast-paced environment with the ability to track multiple assets at a time and make decisions based on limited and evolving data.Build a strong network internally and externally to ensure visibility in the field by participation in scientific meetings and/or publishing high quality workInfluence the strategic direction of the Materials Development Group and the Engineering and Materials Science departmentUse excellent communication and interpersonal skills to influence stakeholders and interact, lead, and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team comprised of chemical engineers, organic, physical, and analytical chemists, materials and solid-state scientists, and formulation development personnelKnowledge and Skills:Experience leading a team of scientists and engineers for materials discovery in the pharmaceutical domainAdvanced knowledge of solid form discovery, development, and characterization of APIs, inclusive of computational modeling application, from GLP Tox through to commercialAccountability for polymorph selectionKnowledge of pharmacokinetic principlesExperience with process development and problem solving in a matrix environmentStrong communication skills and the ability to influence both stakeholders and team membersEducation and Experience:A BS (+ 20 years), MS (+ 15 years) or PhD (+ 11 years) in Materials Science/Chemistry, or a closely related field, with relevant pharmaceutical materials development experience5 years experience managing a team#LI-BS1Pay Range:$217,900 - $326,900Disclosure 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.Flex Designation:On-Site DesignatedFlex Eligibility Status:In this On-Site designated role, you will 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.#LI-OnsiteCompany InformationVertex 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 View email address on click.appcast.io: Boston, MAType: Full time