Data Scientist

Moderna; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

Well-being resources

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Moderna is seeking a data scientist to apply machine learning to problems in Research and Early Development, with initial focus on sequence-function modeling. You will build models powering Moderna’s research engine and collaborate across Biological, RNA, Chemistry, Delivery, and Bioinformatics teams to accelerate discovery.

The role emphasizes partnerships with experimental scientists, strong statistics, and a track record of publishing or method development.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with 0–2 years of experience or Master’s with 4+ years of experience.
• Understanding biotech research and engineering processes including molecular biology or related areas.
• Experience building sequence-function or QSAR models for molecular prioritization.
• Ability to partner with experimental scientists to design and analyze libraries.
• Strong foundation in statistics and experimental design with noisy data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Support and execute research projects using assay data to impact teams across Moderna.
• Apply advances in machine learning to RNA and LNP design problems.
• Design and analyze molecular libraries using Bayesian optimization and data-driven approaches.
• Develop, deploy, and maintain ML-powered systems leveraging internal data.
• Follow software engineering best practices for reproducibility and collaboration.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and scientists across Moderna.

Skills

Machine learning

Python (scientific stack)

Statistics

Experimental design

Sequence-function modeling

Neural networks

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Master’s degree with 4+ years of experience

Tools

Amazon Web Services

Docker

Git

Jupyter/Pandas/scikit-learn/PyTorch

Job description

The Role

Moderna is seeking a talented and motivated data scientist with a background in applying machine learning techniques to problems in Research and Early Development to join our Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Research team. This role will support and execute on collaborations across the Research organization with an initial focus on sequence-function machine learning. The role will be involved in building models and algorithms that power Moderna’s research engine, accelerating the scientific discovery that we engage in, scaling up our existing capabilities, and opening new avenues of research capabilities. We are looking for someone who is deeply curious, exhibits an excellent work ethic, and has a desire to bring novel mRNA therapeutics and vaccines to the market that will improve the lives of patients worldwide.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Support and execute on research projects that leverage internal and external assay data to impact teams, processes, and projects in Biological Sciences, RNA Sciences, Chemistry and Delivery Sciences, and Bioinformatics, via data analysis and visualization, algorithm development, machine learning, and experimental design.
• Keep abreast of and, where appropriate, apply recent advances in machine learning and optimization, and their application to machine learning problems in RNA and LNP design.
• Design and analyze molecular and sequence libraries using statistical design of experiments, Bayesian optimization, active learning, and other data-driven approaches to maximize learning from experimental campaigns.
• Employ agentic software development tools to develop, deploy, and maintain ML-powered systems that leverage our internal assay data to accelerate our science.
• Utilize data science and software engineering best practices in day-to-day work, including automated testing, code review, and documentation designed to support reproducibility, collaboration, and effective use by AI agents.
• Collaborate with data scientists, data engineers, laboratory scientists, software developers, and engineers across Moderna.
• Communicate findings internally and externally.

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

• Ph.D.in Computer Science, Biological Engineering, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline with 0-2 years of professional experience, or a Master’s degree with 4+ years of relevant professional experience required.
• Demonstrated understanding of biotech research and engineering processes including one or more of molecular biology, discovery chemistry, microscopy, etc.
• Demonstrated prior experience in building sequence-function or QSAR models and applying them to molecular prioritization problems.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with experimental scientists to design, prioritize, and analyze molecular or sequence libraries that address biological or therapeutic questions.
• Strong foundation in statistics, including experimental design, regression/classification modeling, uncertainty quantification, hypothesis testing, and interpretation of noisy biological assay data.

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

• 2+ years of experience delivering data science projects.
• Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written).
• Success in communicating effectively to multiple levels of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience building research collaborations and executing complex and interdisciplinary research projects to completion.
• Fluency in Python, especially the scientific Python stack (Jupyter/Pandas/scikit-learn/PyTorch).
• Experience in identifying, procuring, and integrating external data sources as needed.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated experience and/or specialization in one of neural vision models, neural language models, diffusion models, or graph neural networks.
• Track record of publishing scientific research and/or method development.
• Familiarity with best practices in software development, including Amazon Web Services, Docker, version control (Git), and documentation.

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 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 investments to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $121,600.00 - $194,500.00. 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.

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.

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. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

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].