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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals is focused on the discovery and development of small molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. It was founded in 1989, and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, with a workforce of 5001-10000 employees. Its website is