At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to drive AI adoption and support product development in biotechnology.
- Company: Vertex, a global leader in innovative medicines and biotechnology.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, coaching, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work options available, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by applying technology and data to improve patient outcomes.
- Qualifications: University student with a passion for technology, data, and AI.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that aims to discover, develop and commercialize innovative new medicines so people with serious diseases can lead better lives. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, MA, Vertex today has research and development sites and commercial offices around the world in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.
The opportunity
Join the International Data, Technology and Engineering team for a placement focused on how technology, data and AI can improve the way people work and help bring medicines to patients. You will contribute across three connected areas: supporting responsible AI adoption and experimentation, working as part of product teams, and translating business needs into clear technology requirements. This is a developmental role with meaningful responsibility. You will begin with structured support and coaching, take ownership of defined activities and deliverables, and, as your capability and confidence grow, have the opportunity to work with greater independence.
What you will do
- Drive AI adoption: Support awareness, training, experimentation and practical use of approved AI tools. Help lead an Early Talent Hackathon that turns ideas into tangible prototypes or recommendations.
- Support product teams: Work as a member of one or more product teams. Help maintain and refine backlogs, prepare prioritisation discussions, track actions and outcomes, and support delivery around product launches.
- Translate business needs: Engage with business partners to understand problems and opportunities. Help turn needs into user stories, features, requirements and clear inputs for commercial technology product owners.
Key responsibilities
- Help scale adoption of approved AI capabilities by creating practical guidance, supporting learning sessions, gathering feedback and identifying repeatable use cases.
- Help plan and deliver an Early Talent Hackathon, including participant engagement, challenge definition, event coordination, team support and communication of outcomes.
- Contribute to product team ceremonies and ways of working, including backlog refinement, planning, prioritisation, reviews and action tracking.
- Support product managers and product owners with product documentation, roadmap inputs, stakeholder updates, risks, dependencies and outcome tracking.
- Support technology activity associated with business growth and product launches, helping coordinate requirements, readiness activities and cross-functional follow-up.
- Conduct business analysis through stakeholder conversations, process mapping, research and structured problem definition.
- Translate business needs into clear user stories, acceptance criteria, features or other requirements, working with business and technology colleagues to validate understanding.
- Prepare concise analysis, presentations and recommendations for varied audiences, including senior stakeholders.
- Build effective relationships across International DTE, business teams, global technology groups and other early-talent communities.
- Work in line with company policies and applicable requirements for privacy, security, quality and responsible use of technology.
What you will gain
- Practical experience of AI adoption and value realisation in a highly regulated, science-led organisation.
- First-hand exposure to product management, agile ways of working and modern technology delivery.
- Experience supporting International business priorities and product launches across multiple markets and functions.
- Coaching from experienced DTE colleagues, with increasing ownership as you demonstrate readiness.
- Opportunities to strengthen communication, analysis, facilitation, stakeholder management and leadership skills.
Who we are looking for
You will be undertaking a university degree and able to complete a 12-month industrial placement as part of your studies. We welcome applicants from a broad range of disciplines. You do not need to be a software developer, but you should have a strong interest in technology, data, AI and how they can be applied to real business problems.
Essential capabilities
- Curiosity about AI, digital technology, data and product management, with an appetite to learn quickly.
- Ability to listen, ask thoughtful questions and turn complex or ambiguous information into a clear structure.
- Strong written and verbal communication, with confidence working with colleagues from different disciplines and backgrounds.
- Good organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage actions, priorities and deadlines.
- A collaborative, inclusive and proactive approach, combined with the judgement to ask for support when needed.
- Comfort using common productivity and collaboration tools, and willingness to learn new platforms and ways of working.
- Commitment to responsible, ethical and secure use of technology and information.
Required experience
- Experience from university, employment, volunteering or extracurricular activity involving technology, analysis, innovation, project delivery or teamwork.
- Exposure to AI tools, product or agile methods, hackathons, process mapping, data analysis, user research or requirements gathering.
- Interest in biotechnology, healthcare or the use of technology to support better outcomes for patients and customers.
How success will be demonstrated
- You build trust with the team and business partners by being reliable, curious and clear in your communication.
- You complete defined work to a high standard, using feedback and coaching to improve.
- You make a visible contribution to AI adoption, product team effectiveness and the quality of business requirements.
- Over the course of the placement, you take increasing ownership of deliverables and, where ready, lead suitable activities independently.
About the placement
The placement is designed to provide a broad and challenging introduction to Data, Technology and Engineering in an International commercial environment. The exact portfolio of work may evolve during the year to reflect business priorities, product launches and opportunities to scale AI and product ways of working. The successful candidate will receive clear objectives, regular coaching and opportunities to learn from colleagues across the organisation.
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Data, Technology and Engineering Industrial Placement Student (12 months) employer: Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC
Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the biotech industry. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to take on leadership roles and shape strategies that drive meaningful impact in the Haematology space. The hybrid/remote work model provides flexibility, allowing employees to balance their professional and personal lives while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.
Contact Details:
Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data, Technology and Engineering Industrial Placement Student (12 months)
✨Get Involved in Data Communities
Join local data science meetups or online communities like Kaggle, where you can showcase your skills through competitions and collaborate with others. Being part of these groups not only boosts your visibility but also opens up potential placement opportunities!
✨Leverage University Career Services
Don’t forget to check in with your university’s career services! They often have exclusive placement opportunities, workshops, and networking events tailored for data science students that can help you land that sweet gig at Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Create a public portfolio or blog where you can share your data science projects. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gives potential employers like Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC a taste of what you can do! Plus, it’s a great conversation starter in interviews.
✨Connect with Professionals on LinkedIn
Reach out to data science professionals on LinkedIn and ask for informational interviews. Get to know their journeys and share your interest in placements. This approach makes you memorable and could open doors to opportunities at places like Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC.
We think you need these skills to ace Data, Technology and Engineering Industrial Placement Student (12 months)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off Your Data Skills:As a budding data scientist, we want to see your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving data analysis or machine learning. Include any programming languages you're proficient in, like Python or R, and don't forget to mention tools like TensorFlow or SQL that you’ve used!
Craft a Passionate Cover Letter:For a placement, your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn mean loads to us! In your cover letter, express what excites you about data science and how it aligns with your aspirations. Share specific examples of what you've learned so far – whether it's courses, personal projects, or even data challenges you've tackled!
Make Your Projects Pop:We love seeing practical examples of your work, so if you have a portfolio, now's the time to shine! Include detailed descriptions of your projects, the data sources you used, the challenges you faced, and what you achieved. If possible, share links to your GitHub or a personal website showcasing your work – it adds that extra touch!
Demonstrate Statistical Knowledge:Data science isn't just about coding; it's also about understanding the stats behind the algorithms. Be sure to highlight any coursework or relevant certifications you have in statistics or data analysis on your CV. It’ll show us you’ve got the theoretical background to complement your practical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC
✨Master Your Data Tools
For a data science placement, it's crucial to get comfy with tools like Python, R, or SQL. Brush up on libraries like Pandas and NumPy, as you might be thrown some technical questions during the interview that require real-time coding or problem-solving.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio of your data projects, especially if they're relevant to Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC. Whether it's a Kaggle competition or a personal project, showing off your practical work can really set you apart and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Interviews in data science often include case study questions. Be ready to walk through your thought process on how to approach a data problem, what analysis you'd do, and how you'd interpret the results. This shows your analytical thinking and understanding of data.
✨Express Your Enthusiasm
Since it's a placement, they're looking for potential and enthusiasm just as much as skills. Be sure to express why you're passionate about data science, how you're eager to learn, and why you want to join Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC specifically. Let your motivation shine through!
