Co-op, Chemistry 2026
About The Position
This is a co-op opportunity in Cambridge, MA from July 13, 2026 – December 11, 2026. Applicants must be available for the entire duration of the internship. Start date will be July 13, 2026. The Discovery Chemistry organization at Moderna is looking for top talent in synthetic chemistry to deliver on its mission to design chemical modifications to enhance mRNA medicines. Co-ops will have an opportunity to be part of high-performing project teams developing novel synthetic building blocks for exploratory oligonucleotide synthesis programs. You will apply your educational background and learn new technical skills in the synthesis of phosphoramidites and their inclusion into oligonucleotides. You will develop a deep understanding of reaction optimization, troubleshooting, and advanced nucleotide chemistry, in addition to gaining desirable skills in the oligonucleotide synthetic field.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled as a junior or senior with completed coursework and laboratory experience in organic chemistry.
- Prior experience in synthetic organic chemistry research, either through academic projects or relevant co-op/internship work.
- Strong interest in synthetic organic chemistry and/or oligonucleotide chemistry and its real-world applications in pharmaceutical drug discovery and development
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills to communicate scientific concepts clearly
- Ability to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and chemical structure drawing software (e.g., ChemDraw)
- Strong interest in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance research and operational efficiency
- This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time.
- This position is not eligible for remote work.
- Candidates must already hold work authorization in US and be able to maintain that status without the need for future sponsorship.
Responsibilities
- Learn and apply new synthetic organic chemistry techniques to design and prepare compounds of interest for research programs.
- Gain exposure to a wide range of synthetic organic transformations and build a deeper mechanistic understanding of reaction processes.
- Build independence as a chemist by contributing ideas and assisting in the design and execution of experimental work.
- Perform, analyze, and troubleshoot standard synthetic chemistry experiments and protocols.
- Contribute to the synthesis and optimization of novel phosphoramidite building blocks.
- Learn and apply oligonucleotide synthetic skills to deliver materials for key research objectives.
- Maintain accurate and thorough experimental records in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
- Actively review and engage with relevant scientific literature to inform project strategies.
- Participate in team discussions on synthetic planning, data interpretation, and problem-solving.
- Communicate results and findings through presentations.
Benefits
- Free premium access to meditation and mindfulness classes
- Subsidized commuter benefits
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, volunteer days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Location-specific perks and extras
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
