Principal Scientist, Process Development (Expression Systems)

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 142,500 - 256,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class healthcare coverage

Family planning benefits

Generous paid time off

Savings and investment opportunities

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. seeks a Principal Scientist, Process Development in Norwood, MA. The ideal candidate will lead strategies for microbial production, particularly focusing on E. coli. This role is centered on designing screening workflows, optimizing microbial expression, and driving process development.

To qualify, candidates need a PhD in Molecular Biology or a related field with substantial industry experience. The salary range for this position is $142,500 - $256,500, with additional benefits and support.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology or relevant field with 5+ years relevant experience.
• Substantial experience with E. coli strain engineering and vector design.
• Hands-on expertise in developing microbial expression-screening workflows.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategy for E. coli host strain and expression system.
• Design and execute screening cascades to identify production candidates.
• Lead or support strain and vector engineering to improve expression performance.

Skills

E. coli strain engineering

Molecular biology

Expression-system design

Screening workflows

Data-driven approaches

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

MS with 10+ years experience

BS with 12+ years experience

Tools

High-throughput screening systems

Data analysis tools

Job description

Principal Scientist, Process Development (Expression Systems)

Job Function

Process Development

Job Description

Moderna is seeking an Individual to lead host strain, vector, and expression system strategy for E. coli-based production of recombinant enzymes, plasmids, and related biological materials supporting Moderna’s technology platforms and pipeline programs.

This role owns the front end of microbial production: designing, building, screening and selecting host/vector/expression systems that enable high‑performing, scalable, and robust upstream processes.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in microbial genetics, molecular biology, expression‑system design, screening workflows, data‑driven construct selection, and translation of small‑scale screening outputs into process‑development‑ready leads.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Own the strategy for E. coli host strain, vector, and expression‑system for recombinant enzymes, plasmids, and related biological materials.
• Design and execute screening cascades that identify production candidates with strong titer, yield, quality, genetic stability, robustness, and process‑development potential.
• Define stage‑appropriate decision criteria for host/vector selection, expression tuning, induction strategy, plasmid stability, growth, product quality, and manufacturability.
• Develop and optimize small‑scale and high‑throughput screening workflows, including shake flask, deep‑well plate, ambr, or other scale‑down systems where appropriate.
• Evaluate host strains, promoters, ribosome binding sites, copy number, plasmid architecture, induction systems, codon/design strategies, secretion or localization strategies where relevant, and expression timing.
• Use DOE and data‑driven approaches to improve screening throughput, predictiveness, reproducibility, and translation to bioreactor performance.
• Lead or support strain and vector engineering to improve expression performance, stability, productivity, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Apply molecular biology, microbial physiology, and synthetic biology principles to troubleshoot poor expression, instability, toxicity, metabolic burden, inclusion body formation, degradation, or inconsistent performance.
• Define fit‑for‑purpose characterization and handoff packages for candidate strains and constructs, including strain/vector history, design rationale, screening data, stability observations, known risks, and recommended development paths.
• Partner with process development, analytical development, downstream purification, informatics, automation, and data science teams to ensure screening outputs are actionable and linked to relevant quality and process attributes.
• Develop platform approaches and standardized documentation, data capture, decision criteria, and knowledge‑management practices for recurring enzyme, plasmid, or microbial production needs.
• Support cross‑functional troubleshooting, technical reports, development summaries, CMC‑supporting documentation, and regulatory responses as needed.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor in microbial genetics, molecular biology, expression‑system design, screening strategy, and data interpretation.

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

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology, or a related discipline with 5+ years of relevant industry experience; or MS with 10+ years; or BS with 12+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Substantial industry experience with E. coli strain engineering, vector design, expression‑system development, or microbial production screening.
• Hands‑on expertise developing and executing microbial expression‑screening workflows for recombinant proteins, enzymes, plasmids, or related biological products.
• Strong understanding of E. coli genetics, physiology, metabolism, plasmid biology, expression regulation, and genetic stability.
• Experience designing and interpreting experiments that connect host/vector/expression choices to titer, yield, quality, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Experience with small‑scale or high‑throughput screening systems and translation of screening data into process‑development decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects, influence stakeholders across functions, and communicate clearly through technical writing, data analysis, and presentations.

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

• Direct experience developing E. coli expression systems for recombinant enzymes and/or plasmid production.
• Experience with strain engineering, promoter/RBS libraries, plasmid copy‑number optimization, induction‑system tuning, codon/design strategies, secretion/localization approaches, or protein solubility optimization.
• Experience building screening cascades that balance speed, throughput, biological relevance, and scale translation.
• Working knowledge of fermentation process development, downstream interfaces, and analytical methods used to assess expression, identity, purity, activity, plasmid quality, host‑cell impurities, nucleic acid burden, or product‑related impurities.
• Experience supporting CMC‑facing documentation, technical reports, regulatory questions, and operation as either a senior technical individual contributor or manager of a small technical team.

Pay & Benefits

• Best‑in‑class healthcare coverage, 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 investment opportunities to help you plan for the future.

• Location‑specific perks and extras.

The salary range for this role is $142,500.00 - $256,500.00. 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.

Export Control Notice

Export Control NoticeThis 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. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non‑U.S. persons to apply for an export control license.

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!

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].