Senior Scientist, Translational Immunology

Moderna; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Moderna seeks a Senior Scientist to join the Infectious Disease Research Immunology team in Cambridge, MA. You will lead translational immunology studies that help teams understand immune responses and make decisions about vaccine and therapeutic candidates.

The role combines scientific leadership with experimental expertise across preclinical models and human samples. As a member of the Immunology leadership team, you will work across programs to identify the questions that matter, develop

Qualifications

• PhD in immunology or related discipline with strong immune-cell biology.
• 2+ years of experience in translational immunology or related field.
• Deep expertise in B-cell, T-cell, or innate immune-cell biology with hands-on primary cell work.
• Experience designing and interpreting cellular assays, including multiparameter flow cytometry.
• Ability to translate questions into study plans and guide decisions across programs.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary scientific work and mentoring colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead translational immunology strategy for assigned programs and inform candidate selection and study design.
• Design and lead studies using human samples and preclinical models to characterize immune-cell responses.
• Provide experimental oversight and develop fit-for-purpose assays with appropriate controls.
• Collaborate with virology, antigen design, clinical development, and data sciences to integrate findings.
• Lead studies in immunology areas (B-cells, T-cells, or innate immunity) and expand to cross-program questions.
• Mentor scientists and research staff, strengthening design and data interpretation.

Skills

Cellular immunology

Translational studies

Flow cytometry

Study design

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in immunology or related discipline

Tools

Assay development

Job description

The Role:

Moderna is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Infectious Disease Research Immunology team in Cambridge, MA. You will lead translational immunology studies that help teams understand immune responses and make decisions about vaccine and therapeutic candidates. The role combines scientific leadership with experimental expertise across preclinical models and human samples.

As a member of the Immunology leadership team, you will work across programs to identify the questions that matter, develop study plans, and interpret results in their biological and clinical context. We are seeking an immunologist with deep expertise in B cells, T cells, or innate immune cells who can apply that expertise to new questions and learn beyond their original specialty. The scientific focus will reflect your strengths and the needs of the portfolio. Expertise in every area listed below is not expected.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Lead translational immunology strategy for assigned programs, identifying the immune mechanisms to investigate and the evidence needed to inform candidate selection, study design, and subsequent development decisions.
• Design and lead studies using human samples and preclinical models to characterize immune‑cell responses and connect cellular, antibody, and functional findings to program questions.
• Provide experimental expertise and scientific oversight in your area of specialization. Develop fit‑for‑purpose assays, establish appropriate controls, and explain what the results do and do not support.
• Work with colleagues in virology, bacteriology, antigen design, clinical development, medical affairs, biomarkers, and computational sciences to integrate findings across studies and guide the next experiments.
• Lead studies in your area of immunology expertise, such as B‑cell and antibody biology, T‑cell responses, or innate immunity, while applying and expanding your skills to address questions across programs.
• Support platform studies and new discovery efforts by evaluating emerging methods and identifying approaches that can be used across programs.
• Set scientific priorities with program teams, balance competing demands, and communicate scientific rationale, evidence, uncertainties, and recommendations clearly to research and development leaders.
• Mentor scientists and research associates, strengthen experimental design and data interpretation, and help colleagues build new capabilities.

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

• PhD in immunology or a related discipline, with a strong foundation in immune‑cell biology and relevant research experience.
• 2+ years of experience.
• Deep expertise in at least one area of cellular immunology, such as B-cell, T-cell, or innate immune‑cell biology, supported by hands‑on experience studying primary immune cells.
• Experience designing and interpreting cellular assays, including multiparameter flow cytometry and functional assays appropriate to your area of expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to translate a biological or clinical question into a study plan and use the findings to guide a research or development decision.
• Experience leading scientific work across disciplines, mentoring colleagues, and communicating complex results and their limitations clearly.
• Ability to learn new biological areas and methods quickly, adapt to changing program needs, and contribute beyond your primary specialty.

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

• B-cell and antibody biology, including antigen‑specific cell isolation, antibody discovery, repertoire analysis, epitope mapping, or antibody binding and function.
• T-cell biology, including antigen‑specific responses, differentiation and memory, antigen presentation, or functional assessment.
• Innate immune‑cell biology, including myeloid‑cell function, immune activation, or mechanisms that shape vaccine responses.
• Mucosal or tissue immunity, including local immune responses and relevant human or preclinical models.
• Single‑cell or other high‑dimensional immune profiling, with experience integrating cellular, molecular, and functional data.
• Infectious disease, vaccine, or therapeutic development experience, including translational studies using human samples.

Our Working Model

As we build our company, we have always believed that an in‑person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site‑based operations.

Working onsite enables real‑time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands‑on partnership needed to deliver our mission. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.