Scientist, In Vitro Biology

ModernaTX • Cambridge, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

ModernaTX, Inc. seeks a Scientist, In Vitro Biology for its Cambridge, Massachusetts location. This role involves managing technical oversight and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, particularly high-content confocal microscopy. The scientist will propose, establish, and implement a wide range of optical microscopy and imaging techniques to investigate the in vitro pharmacology of nucleic acid and LNP delivery systems. Key responsibilities include investigating molecular biology and cell engineering methods to generate relevant in vitro model systems, managing and overseeing the technical work of co-ops or junior staff, and developing quantitative methods to measure specific biomolecules and study mRNA dynamics. The role also requires independently conceptualizing and assembling in vitro cell-based data packages, identifying and validating new technical capabilities, exploring novel 3D and single-cell image analyses techniques, fostering research collaborations, and effectively communicating scientific concepts and data. Additionally, the scientist will design immune activation assays, develop and validate new tools for quantifying intact LNP delivery, and serve as a technical and scientific subject matter expert for confocal imaging and cell-based assays, providing supervision and training.

Requirements

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent in Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, or related field and 6 years of post-baccalaureate progressive experience as a Principal Research Associate, Senior Research Associate, Biomanufacturing Specialist, Research Assistant, or related position within the Biotechnology industry.
• Must have 6 years of experience with: Confocal Microscopy; Conjugation of nucleic acids and antibodies; Quantitative Image Analysis Pipelines (HALO, FIJI, Opera/Harmony Revvity); and Immunofluorescence/IHC and Fluorescence in situ hybridization.
• Must have 4 years of experience with: Practical experience with cell biology including cell culture, cell line development, cell panting and advanced optical microscopy techniques including super-resolution, high-content, live-cell, 3-D and single-cell imaging; High-throughput in vitro cell-based imaging assay development and liquid-handler automation; In vitro pharmacology and mechanism-of-action characterization of LNP and mRNA, and Nebulized LNP delivery; RNA Endosomal Escape quantification via single molecule imaging, galectin recruitment and qPCR; Characterizing mechanism-of-action for biological drug products; and Managing and overseeing the technical work of co-ops/interns and junior staff by providing scientific guidance and training.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical oversight and troubleshooting of various types of laboratory equipment, particularly for high-content confocal microscopy.
• Propose, establish and implement a wide range of optical microscopy and imaging techniques to investigate the in vitro pharmacology of nucleic acid and LNP delivery systems.
• Investigate a variety of molecular biology and cell engineering methods to generate relevant in vitro model systems to interrogate nucleic acid and LNP delivery systems.
• Manage and oversee the technical work of co-ops or junior staff by providing scientific guidance and training.
• Develop quantitative methods to measure specific biomolecules of interest within cultured and primary cells, and tissues, as well as methods to study mRNA endosomal escape, and mRNA and protein subcellular localization, mRNA half-life, and protein translation.
• Independently conceptualize, generate and assemble in vitro cell-based data packages to support the advancement of Moderna’s nucleic acid and LNP delivery platforms and therapeutic pipeline.
• Identify, introduce, and validate new technical capabilities from regular review of the primary scientific literature for relevant biological applications.
• Identify and explore novel, quantitative 3-dimensional and single-cell image analyses techniques for nucleic acid, protein and lipid nanoparticle visualization.
• Identify, initiate and foster research collaborations with nucleic acid delivery systems for infectious disease, oncology, immune disorders and rare disease indications, across the internal and external ecosystem to enhance the understanding of Moderna’s technology platform.
• Effectively communicate scientific concepts, experimental approaches, and data analysis to multiple key research and development stakeholders across the company.
• Design and leverage immune activation assays to characterize nucleic acid cargo and LNP delivery systems.
• Develop and validate new tools to quantitatively measure intact LNP delivery with various routes of administration (with specific emphasis on nebulization).
• Serve as a technical and scientific subject matter expert for confocal imaging and cell-based assays with respect to nucleic acid delivery across cross-functional teams, and provide supervision and training to new employees and non-subject matter experts on developed methods when necessary.

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
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees