Job Description

We are seeking an exceptionally talented, highly motivated, and detail-oriented Scientist to join our Therapeutics Translational Research team. In this role, you will support the advancement of our mRNA therapeutics platform by driving translational studies across both clinical and early development programs. You will contribute to a cutting-edge pipeline through deep immune profiling, target validation, mechanism-of-action characterization, and hands-on in vitro and ex vivo experimentation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in immunology, immuno-oncology, cancer vaccines, and/or tumor biology. Successful applicants will be collaborative team players who thrive in multidisciplinary environments, demonstrate a proven track record of independent research accomplishments, and have the ability to mentor junior colleagues. Excellent communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for translational research are essential.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Support translational research across immunology, immuno-oncology, and cancer vaccine programs spanning early and clinical development.
• Design and execute complex translational studies, including primary human immune cell–based and plate-based assays, functional and cytotoxicity assays, and deep profiling of rare immune populations using scRNA-seq, TCR sequencing, and flow cytometry.
• Develop, characterize, and validate ex vivo human models to elucidate mechanisms of action, enable target validation, and support clinical translation through comprehensive immune profiling.
• Execute, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols; implement new methodologies and adopt relevant scientific advancements.
• Generate, analyze, and present high-quality, decision-enabling data, integrating literature insights to inform program strategy while delivering robust results within ambitious timelines.
• Mentor and/or manage junior team members to strengthen team capabilities and scientific output.
• Maintain rigorous documentation and contribute to regulatory filings, SOP development, project deliverables, and internal/external presentations.
• Demonstrate scientific rigor, adaptability, strong communication skills, and a results-driven mindset.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Biological Sciences, or a related field; or M.S. with extensive relevant experience and a minimum of 5 years of industry experience or B.S. with extensive relevant experience and a minimum of 8 years of industry experience.
• Strong scientific background in immunology, immuno-oncology, cancer vaccines, and/or tumor biology.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experimental plans for translational studies.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and scientific rigor.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Expertise in designing and executing translational and biomarker studies.
• Expertise in designing and executing primary human immune cell assays, including immune phenotyping and mechanism-of-action studies.
• Tissue/cell culture expertise:
  • Extremely sound cell culture and general laboratory techniques
  • Cell passaging, archiving, transfection and cell-based functional assays
  • Primary cell isolation and culture, particularly with patient/ clinical samples
• Immune assays in vitro expertise:
  • Cytotoxicity assays and primary cell co-cultures
  • In vitro immune differentiation
  • Jurkat reporter bioassays
  • 3D tissue culture systems
• Nucleic acid quantification expertise:
  • Isolation of nucleic acids from cultured cells and harvested tissue
  • Quantification via qPCR, or other formats
• Protein quantification via ELISA, MSD, Luminex-based assays, Western, ELISPot
• Expertise in multi-parameter flow cytometry (preferred).
• Experience with scSEQ/TCRseq and/or cross-collaboration with bioinformatics/ computational biology teams (preferred).

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.  That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $109,200.00 – $174,600.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.