Sr. Research Associate, Analytical Technical Operations

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 118,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

Generous paid time off

Family planning benefits

Job summary

Initial Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Senior Research Associate in Norwood, MA. In this role, you will execute critical bioassay testing for mRNA science. You will conduct routine cell-based assays and manage lab workflows in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant field and hands-on experience. The position offers competitive healthcare, generous paid time off, and other benefits. Join us to make a real difference for patients.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in cell culture and/or bioassays.
• Basic understanding of ELISA or immunoassays.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine cell-based ELISA assays.
• Maintain mammalian cell lines using aseptic technique.
• Prepare assay plates and manage workflows.
• Provide technical guidance to junior staff.

Skills

Cell culture

Bioassays

ELISA

Analytical capabilities

Education

MS or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, or related field

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Plate readers

Job description

The Role:

Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients.

As a Senior Research Associate within Analytical Technical Operations, you will execute critical bioassay testing to support development, characterization, release, and stability programs across Moderna’s mRNA pipeline. You will operate in a fast-paced laboratory environment, delivering precise, consistent, and high-quality assay execution while contributing to troubleshooting and continuous improvement. This individual contributor role blends hands‑on scientific expertise in cell-based and ELISA assays with increasing ownership of assay performance, workflow optimization, and implementation of advanced and automated analytical capabilities.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Perform routine cell-based ELISA assays to evaluate in vitro relative protein expression (IVRPE) across development, characterization, release, and stability samples.
• Culture and maintain mammalian cell lines using aseptic technique, ensuring optimal cell health, confluency, and viability.
• Prepare assay plates, execute transfections, and manage multi-day workflows with precision and consistency.
• Conduct serial dilutions, reagent preparation, sample handling, and plate-based assay execution in alignment with established protocols.
• Monitor assay performance and respond to routine experimental issues with limited oversight, applying strong troubleshooting skills.
• Operate laboratory instrumentation including plate readers, plate washers, incubators, biosafety cabinets, and associated equipment.
• Acquire, review, and analyze experimental data using established tools, including curve fitting methodologies.
• Maintain accurate, organized, and inspection‑ready records within laboratory systems and notebooks.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical guidance to Research Associates on assay execution, laboratory best practices, and troubleshooting fundamentals.
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges, support investigations, and proactively identify opportunities to enhance assay robustness, efficiency, and scalability.
• Lead or contribute to optimization of assay protocols and workflows to improve data quality, throughput, and readiness for automation.
• Support method transfers and the implementation of automated workflows, leveraging digital tools and opportunities to engage with emerging generative AI technologies to enhance analytical insights.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support evolving Technical Development priorities.

The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:

“We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description.”

“We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.”

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

• MS OR Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related field with 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience
• Hands‑on laboratory experience in cell culture and/or bioassays
• Basic understanding of ELISA or immunoassays
• Experience with mammalian cell culture techniques
• Familiarity with aseptic technique
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.

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

• Master's degree with 2–3 2-3 years of experience, or BS/BA with 3–5 3-5 years of experience in a relevant field
• Hands‑on experience with cell-based ELISA, IVRPE, or potency assays
• Strong working knowledge of ELISA, immunoassays, or other plate-based assays
• Experience with mammalian cell culture (adherent and suspension) and aseptic technique
• Experience with plate-based assays, multichannel pipetting, and multi-day assay workflows
• Familiarity with plate reader software, electronic laboratory documentation, and routine data analysis
• Experience with method troubleshooting, assay transfer support, or implementation of improved workflows
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experiments and improve assay performance
• Experience training or mentoring junior staff
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow and improve detailed procedures
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Adaptability in a fast-paced laboratory setting
• Strong organizational and time management skills

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.

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!

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].

Export Control Notice

This 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.