Sr. Research Associate

Moderna Therapeutics; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

Generous time off and perks

Discretionary bonus or equity

Job summary

Moderna Therapeutics is seeking a Senior Research Associate to advance immuno-oncology programs using molecular biology and immunology techniques. You will perform in vitro and ex vivo experiments to characterize mRNA products, monitor activity, and study relevant biomarkers within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

The role emphasizes benchwork, data quality, and timely communication of results to support early preclinical research and IND-enabling studies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience in immunology or related field.
• Experience in cell transfection, long-term immune cell cultures, and flow cytometry.
• Experience with MSD/ELISA assays; familiarity with qPCR and ddPCR is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Use Moderna’s mRNA products to demonstrate expression and characterize activity in vitro/in vivo systems.
• Gain knowledge of preclinical cancer models and toxicology models.
• Perform and/or support immune cell isolation, culture, ELISA/MSD, flow cytometry, and PK/PD analysis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team of scientists.
• Maintain organized lab notebook and data records.
• Present data and conclusions in team meetings.

Skills

Cell transfection

Immune cell cultures

Co-culture assays

Flow cytometry

Protein detection methods

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

qPCR

ddPCR

Job description

The Role Immuno-Oncology Research at Moderna is seeking a talented and motivated Senior Research Associate to join our efforts in developing new mRNA-based drugs for cancer therapy. The successful candidate will use molecular biology and immunology techniques to characterize Moderna’s mRNA products, their activity, and/or relevant biomarkers in vitro and in vivo to support early preclinical research, IND-enabling studies, and/or translational research. This is a bench-focused role requiring technical expertise and the ability to work within a cross-functional, fast-paced team. The successful candidate will execute in vitro and ex vivo experiments as part of a team and consistently deliver and present high quality, reproducible data.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Use Moderna’s mRNA products to demonstrate expression and characterize activity of immuno-oncology therapeutic proteins in relevant in vitro and/or in vivo experimental systems.
• Gain knowledge of preclinical cancer models and toxicology models.
• Perform and/or support experiments and assays such as immune cell isolation, cell culture, ELISA/MSD, flow cytometry, cell-based functional and reporter assays, sample processing and analysis for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.
• Work collaboratively within direct team, as well as with a cross-functional team of scientists.
• Maintain an organized work area and electronic lab notebook.
• Analyze, visualize, and summarize experimental data, including team meeting and cross-functional meeting presentations when relevant.

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

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience.
• Technical experience in cell transfection, long-term immune cell cultures, co-culture assays, multi-color flow cytometry (standard and spectral), and protein detection methods (MSD, ELISA).
• Experience in the following areas is preferred: assay development and troubleshooting, familiarity with qPCR and ddPCR.
• The candidate should be self-motivated, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

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

• 1-3 years of relevant experience in an immuno-oncology setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently as well as the ability to contribute to high-performing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with GraphPad Prism and Omiq for flow cytometry data analysis.
• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.

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. Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.

Pay & Benefits

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 $74,000.00 - $118,400.00. 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.

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.

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer

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].

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

Moderna will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. Please inform the company's personnel representative by calling 617-460-9346 or emailing [e-mail] if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Our Mission and Vision

At Moderna we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells. We have a clear mission to propel the field of mRNA science forward and deliver new medicines to patients and a unique vision for how to achieve this mission.

Our Mission: To deliver on the promise of transformative messenger RNA (mRNA) science to bring new medicines to patients.

Our Vision: To unlock the potential of mRNA by establishing an ecosystem of teams and partners that will work together to develop the broadest possible array of drugs, across diverse therapeutic areas and routes of administration, for serious diseases that are not treatable today.

Third Party Staffing Agencies

Moderna does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. For the protection of all parties involved in the recruiting process, resumes will only be accepted from recruiters/agencies if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position. Unsolicited resumes sent to Moderna from recruiters/agencies do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter/agency and Moderna and do not obligate Moderna to pay fees if we hire from those resumes.