Director of Analytical Chemistry - mRNA-LNP Discovery

Moderna Therapeutics; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 300,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class healthcare

Well-being resources

Fertility/adoption support

Paid time off

Job summary

Moderna seeks a Director of Analytical Chemistry to provide strategic and operational leadership for discovery-stage analytics in mRNA-LNP research. The role drives analytical strategies across lipids, excipients, and formulations, partnering with chemistry, formulation, and delivery sciences to accelerate design-make-test-learn cycles.

The candidate will supervise analytical method development, impurity profiling, and RNA analytics, ensuring alignment with program milestones and external

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry or closely related discipline with 9+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience supporting discovery and early development in biotech/pharma settings.
• Expertise in small molecules, lipids, polymers, and RNA analytics.
• Demonstrated leadership in matrixed, cross-functional environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical chemistry strategy for discovery-stage mRNA-LNP programs.
• Oversee method development, qualification, transfer, and lifecycle management.
• Guide cross-functional teams to align analytical deliverables with milestones.
• Collaborate with CROs/CDMOs for external analytical support.
• Provide scientific leadership in structure elucidation and impurity profiling.

Skills

Analytical chemistry leadership

Separation science

Molecule and lipid analysis

Team leadership

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

High-throughput methods

AI/ML in data analysis

Regulatory-forward thinking

Education

Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry

9+ years industry experience

Strong leadership experience

Tools

UPLC/HPLC

LC-MS

NMR

UV/Vis

Lipid analytics tools

RNA analytics

Job description

Moderna seeks a Director of Analytical Chemistry to provide strategic and operational leadership for discovery-stage analytics in mRNA-LNP research. The role drives analytical strategies across lipids, excipients, and formulations, partnering with chemistry, formulation, and delivery sciences to accelerate design-make-test-learn cycles.

The candidate will supervise analytical method development, impurity profiling, and RNA analytics, ensuring alignment with program milestones and external