Vertex Summer Intern 2026, Protein Engineering
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. They are seeking a Protein Engineering intern to work on developing novel therapeutic proteins and apply molecular biology techniques in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities
- The intern will primarily work with the Protein Engineering group to help develop novel therapeutic proteins that modulate immune responses
- The intern will apply molecular biology techniques to build and screen protein libraries for directed evolution yeast display campaigns
- This position will enable the design of expression plasmids for potential therapeutic proteins, and the student will also become familiar with in silico protein modeling/design tools (e.g., AlphaFold, Rosetta)
- Though a specific project has yet to be determined, the student will work on their own project focused on technology development while also shadowing the supervisor
- The student will also contribute to multiple therapeutic discovery stage Vertex projects
- These discovery stage projects will involve participation in multidisciplinary project teams composed of immunologists, biochemists, and structural biologists
- The student will interact closely with several members of our teams, such as specialists in stem cell differentiation, screening, genetic integrity, and epigenetics
Skills
- A passion for discovery in immunology
- At least two years of university-level coursework in a bioscience-related discipline
- Excellent communication skills, including the capacity to clearly present and explain results
- Motivation to perform precision bench work
- Aptitude to learn quickly
- Energy and flexibility to collaborate with a busy team in a rapidly evolving company
- An eagerness to contribute to Vertex's science
- Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future
- You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from May – August 2026
- Research laboratory experience strongly preferred
- Experience and/or interest in protein structure prediction/design preferred
- Some experience with computational programming preferred
Benefits
- 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
- Medical, dental and vision benefits
- 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)
Company Overview