Co-Op, Platform Biology Integration

Moderna Therapeutics; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 83,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Meditation classes

Commuter benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Moderna Therapeutics in Cambridge, MA offers a co-op position in the Platform Biology Integration team from January 18, 2027 to June 25, 2027. Applicants must commit to the full term and will gain hands-on experience in RNA biology, NGS library preparation, experimental design, and assay troubleshooting while developing scalable, reproducible protocols for routine use.

You will perform NGS library prep workflows, design experiments, evaluate reagents, QC libraries, document results in ELNs, and

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genomics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with RNA and NGS library preparation.
• Attention to detail in executing protocols and maintaining records.
• Ability to analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Perform NGS library preparation workflows to characterize and screen mRNA designs.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize and standardize library prep for efficiency and reproducibility.
• Evaluate reagents, methods, and formats to improve performance and automation compatibility.
• Perform library QC and analyze results to assess workflow performance.
• Document procedures and results in electronic lab notebooks.
• Help develop standardized protocols for routine use.
• Present project progress in team meetings.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment.

Skills

RNA library prep

NGS data analysis

Experimental design

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD candidate in Molecular Biology or related field

Job description

The Role

This is a co-op opportunity based in Cambridge, MA from January 18, 2027 – June 25, 2027. Applicants must be available for the full duration of the co-op term. The NGS co‑op will support Moderna’s Platform Biology Integration team by optimizing and standardizing next‑generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation workflows used to characterize and screen mRNA designs. Working closely with other scientists on the team, you will perform and evaluate selected workflows, explore opportunities to streamline procedures, and assess compatibility with laboratory automation. Through this work, you will gain hands‑on experience in RNA biology, NGS library preparation, experimental design, and assay troubleshooting while helping develop reproducible, scalable protocols for routine use.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Perform NGS library preparation workflows to characterize and screen mRNA designs.
• Design and execute experiments to optimize and standardize NGS library preparation, improving efficiency, reproducibility, and robustness.
• Evaluate alternative reagents, methods, and workflow formats to improve performance and compatibility with laboratory automation.
• Perform library quality control and analyze results to assess workflow performance.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and conclusions in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Help develop standardized protocols for routine use.
• Present project progress and findings in team meetings.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment.

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

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genomics, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with RNA and NGS library preparation.
• Attention to detail in executing protocols and maintaining accurate experimental records.
• Ability to analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

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

• Experience developing, customizing, optimizing, or troubleshooting NGS library preparation workflows.
• Experience analyzing NGS data and interpreting assay performance.
• Experience with high-throughput screening or other high-throughput experimental workflows.
• Familiarity with automation‑compatible assay development or liquid‑handling workflows.

Our Working Model

As we build our company, we have always believed an in‑person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in‑office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in‑office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. Moderna is a smoke‑free, alcohol‑free, and drug‑free work environment.

Pay & Benefits

• Free premium access to meditation and mindfulness classes
• Subsidized commuter benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, volunteer days, and a discretionary year‑end shutdown
• Location‑specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $20.00 - $60.00. 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.

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. If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity 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. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow.

Accommodations

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 accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation 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 team at [e-mail].

Export Control Notice

This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export‑controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Only U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are currently eligible to access such information without an export license. Candidates who do not meet these criteria may still be considered, contingent on the company’s ability to obtain any required export control license.

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.