Director, Cancer Vaccines Research

ModernaTX • Cambridge, MA

13d

About The Position

The Role Moderna is seeking a strategic and experienced Director to join our Cancer Vaccines Research team, leading critical mechanistic research in support of clinical-stage therapeutic cancer vaccines. This role will focus on uncovering how Moderna’s mRNA platform technologies engage and shape anti-tumor immunity, using in vitro and preclinical models to explore vaccine efficacy, resistance, and tumor–immune dynamics. As a senior member of the team, you will bring deep immuno-oncology expertise and collaborate closely with Clinical Development, CMC, Translational Research and Regulatory Affairs to guide the scientific strategy of our clinical portfolio. You will lead a small, high-performing team to drive hypothesis-led research that directly informs program direction and regulatory strategy. The role requires both scientific rigor and creative insight to identify, test, and refine mechanistic hypotheses. Demonstrated experience supporting regulatory filings and contributing to health authority strategy is essential for success in this position. This position interfaces closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Translational Research, CMC and Program teams to ensure mechanistic questions central to vaccine performance are actively pursued and integrated into the broader development narrative. Success in this role requires a mechanistically driven immunologist with deep experience in immune-oncology, a strong foundation in platform and systems-level thinking, and a proven ability to lead teams executing rigorous, hypothesis-driven research.

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD in immunology, tumor immunology, or a closely related field.
• 9+ years of industry or applied research experience in immuno-oncology, with demonstrated leadership in mechanistic research.
• Deep expertise in the biology of immune activation, T cell function, antigen processing and presentation, and tumor-immune interface.
• Proven ability to design and execute in vitro and preclinical studies that inform clinical-stage therapeutic development.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional scientific initiatives with multiple stakeholders and tight timelines.
• Direct experience supporting regulatory filings (e.g., INDs, briefing books, HA responses), including scientific authorship and strategy development.
• Track record of integrating mechanistic insights into development-stage decision-making.
• Demonstrated success in leading and high-performing teams while fostering both scientific excellence and leadership development.
• A leadership style rooted in empowerment, high expectations, and collaborative mentorship.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex mechanistic findings for cross-functional and external stakeholders.
• A drive to contribute meaningfully to the development of transformative precision immunotherapies for patients.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise developing mRNA-LNP therapeutics, including cancer vaccines, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead in vitro and preclinical studies to investigate mechanistic questions critical to the performance of clinical-stage cancer vaccines.
• Define and execute experimental strategies to explore immune activation, antigen presentation, and tumor-immune interactions.
• Lead the development of data packages and scientific rationale that support global regulatory filings, amendments, and responses, in partnership with Regulatory colleagues.
• Inspire and develop a highly talented team of scientists by fostering an environment that encourages scientific rigor, intellectual autonomy, and career growth.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships across Research, Clinical Development, CMC, and Regulatory to advance goals efficiently and robustly.
• Represent Moderna at key internal forums, contributing to thought leadership in immuno-oncology and therapeutic cancer vaccine research.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees