Lead TCR Optimization Scientist

BioSpace; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 143,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Well-being programs

Paid time off

Job summary

Moderna is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead TCR optimization workflows for next-generation therapeutics. You will build scalable experimental platforms to improve affinity, developability, expression, and functional potency, working closely with discovery, computational biology, AI/ML, and preclinical teams.

You will lead end-to-end optimization campaigns, design libraries informed by biology, and interpret complex datasets to advance optimized TCR candidates for TCR-T and related

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years in TCR engineering, protein engineering, or related therapeutic discovery field.
• Experience executing TCR optimization workflows linking binding, developability, and potency.
• Hands-on with display technologies, library design, and affinity maturation.
• Ability to lead complex workflows and deliver datasets on timelines.

Responsibilities

• Build and optimize scalable TCR optimization workflows using display technologies and directed evolution.
• Establish end-to-end pipelines from design to lead selection and validation.
• Design rational/semi-rational TCR libraries informed by biology and developability.
• Lead multi-parameter optimization campaigns balancing affinity, stability, and potency.
• Collaborate with computational scientists to integrate data into decisions.
• Interpret complex screening and biophysical datasets to prioritize candidates.
• Deliver optimized binders for therapeutic evaluation including TCR-T and TCR engager platforms.
• Adopt new display/screening/automation technologies to improve throughput.
• Communicate results, risks, and recommendations to cross-functional teams.

Skills

TCR engineering

Protein engineering

Directed evolution

Display technologies

Cross-functional collaboration

Data interpretation

AI/ML collaboration

Education

PhD in immunology or related

Tools

NGS platforms

Biophysical characterization

Molecular biology

Sequence analysis

Job description

Moderna is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead TCR optimization workflows for next-generation therapeutics. You will build scalable experimental platforms to improve affinity, developability, expression, and functional potency, working closely with discovery, computational biology, AI/ML, and preclinical teams.

You will lead end-to-end optimization campaigns, design libraries informed by biology, and interpret complex datasets to advance optimized TCR candidates for TCR-T and related