Scientist, Clinical Biomarker Laboratory, Immuno-Assays - Cell Based

Moderna Therapeutics; Harwell; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

Holistic well-being resources

Family building benefits (fertility,**

Generous paid time off

Savings and investments

Job summary

Moderna is seeking a senior scientist to lead the development, qualification, validation, and execution of complex cell-based immunoassays for clinical trials at the Harwell site. You will be the scientific SME, ensuring data quality and regulatory compliance while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.

The role spans assay development, qualification/validation, data generation, and reporting, with emphasis on quality, timelines, and innovation in assay strategies

Qualifications

• Ph.D. >2 yrs or BSc/MSc with >6 years’ immunology experience in assay validation under GLP/GCLP.
• Background in infectious diseases, virology, bacteriology or oncology; containment level 3 advantageous.
• Experience with cell culture and cell-based assays, incl. viral/bacteria assays.
• Strong design and execution of efficacy testing for clinical trials.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with leadership and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; proactive and collaborative attitude.

Responsibilities

• Serve as scientific contact for cell-based immunoassay development across clinical programs.
• Ensure quality and integrity of projects supporting clinical trials.
• Design, develop, optimize, and execute cell-based immunoassays for development objectives.
• Lead assay qualification and validation to meet regulatory and operational standards.
• Perform clinical sample testing and data analysis to generate robust datasets.
• Maintain compliance with GCP, GLP, ISO standards and safety guidelines.

Skills

Immunology

Immunoassay design

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory awareness

Data interpretation

Education

Ph.D. >2 yrs or BSc/MSc with >6 years experience in immunology

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

GraphPad Prism

Job description

The Role

Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients. At Harwell, you will play a critical role in advancing Moderna’s clinical development programs by leading the development, qualification, validation, and execution of complex cell-based immunoassays that generate high-quality data to support clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas. Working at the intersection of immunology, assay science, and clinical development, you will serve as a scientific point of contact within the Immuno-assays group, driving assay excellence while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and external partners. This is an opportunity to apply deep technical expertise while helping shape innovative approaches, technologies, and data generation strategies that support Moderna’s growing pipeline and future platform capabilities, including increasing exposure to advanced digital and AI-enabled scientific workflows.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a scientific point of contact for cell-based immunoassay development activities supporting clinical programs across multiple therapeutic areas.
• Be responsible for the quality and integrity of assigned projects supporting Moderna clinical trials.
• Design, develop, optimize, and execute cell-based immunoassays to support clinical development objectives.
• Lead assay qualification and validation activities to ensure assays meet scientific, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Perform clinical sample testing and analysis, generating robust, reproducible, and high-quality datasets.
• Conduct testing and data analysis in compliance with applicable GCP and GLP requirements.
• Deliver high-quality data within established timelines and in alignment with current industry expectations and standards.
• Perform data acquisition and analysis on clinical specimens and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.
• Author technical reports, validation reports, study documentation, and supporting scientific materials.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve quality-related issues, escalating concerns to management when appropriate.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on multifunctional project teams as needed.
• Represent the Immunoassay Team at project meetings, presenting assay results, data interpretation, development progress, timelines, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to evaluate emerging technologies, novel methodologies, and innovative solutions that address complex scientific challenges.
• Maintain broad knowledge of industry best practices in cell culture, immunoassay development, assay validation, and clinical sample analysis.
• Stay informed on new technologies, platforms, critical reagents, and scientific advancements relevant to immunoassay development and execution.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance assay performance, laboratory efficiency, data quality, and scientific rigor.
• Coach and train junior laboratory staff on assay execution, technical procedures, best practices, and compliance requirements.
• Provide constructive input regarding the strengths, development opportunities, and performance of assigned junior associates.
• Contribute to periodic performance review discussions for junior team members.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive laboratory environment that supports knowledge sharing and scientific excellence.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and laboratory guidelines at all times.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date training records and documentation.
• Support operational needs that may occasionally require overtime work or weekend coverage.
• Travel as required to attend training programs, technical conferences, scientific meetings, and industry exhibitions.

What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Ph.D. > 2 yrs or BSC/MSc with >6 years' experience in immunology, or related field conducting assay validation in clinical Immunology under GLP/GCLP environment.
• A background in infectious diseases, virology, bacteriology or oncology and experience with handling laboratory pathogens as containment level 3 is an advantage.
• Experience and deep understanding of cell culture and cell-based assays, particularly viral neutralization assays or bacteriology assays.
• Strong level of understanding and expertise in design and executing efficacy testing in the context of clinical trial.
• The ability to work in a cross-functional work environment is critical; strong leadership skills and independence skills are expected.
• Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills; ability to influence and collaborate in a team environment and with external stakeholders.
• Candidate will be curious in exploring new technology, bold in proposing creative experimental designs and ideas.
• Will work collaboratively with multifunctional teams and will be relentless in pursuing successful outcomes.
• Possess strong computational skills, preferably experienced with Word, Excel, Power Point, GraphPad Prism.
• Knowledge of system software for data analysis and statistical analysis.
• Experience of working in a regulated environment with GLP, GCP, ISO standards is required.

Our Working Model

As we build our company, we have always believed that an in-person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site-based operations. Working onsite enables real-time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands-on partnership needed to deliver our mission.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.

Pay & Benefits

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

• Competitive healthcare, 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 building benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investments to help you plan for the future

Location-specific perks and extras The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

Key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role

We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest, we have to learn the fastest. We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world. By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

Our Mission and Vision

At Moderna we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells. We have a clear mission to propel the field of mRNA science forward and deliver new medicines to patients and a unique vision for how to achieve this mission. Our Mission: To deliver on the promise of transformative messenger RNA (mRNA) science to bring new medicines to patients. Our Vision: To unlock the potential of mRNA by establishing an ecosystem of teams and partners that will work together to develop the broadest possible array of drugs, across diverse therapeutic areas and routes of administration, for serious diseases that are not treatable today.

Third Party Staffing Agencies

Moderna does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. For the protection of all parties involved in the recruiting process, resumes will only be accepted from recruiters/agencies if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position. Unsolicited resumes sent to Moderna from recruiters/agencies do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter/agency and Moderna and do not obligate Moderna to pay fees if we hire from those resumes.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

Moderna will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. Please inform the company's personnel representative by calling 617-460-9346 or emailing [e-mail] if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment 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 or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law.

We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees.

By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at [e-mail].