Senior Research Associate, Analytical Development
About The Position
Moderna is seeking a Senior Research Associate (SRA) to join the Analytical Development team in Norwood, MA. This individual will play a critical role in developing, optimizing, and implementing advanced analytical methods that support Moderna's expanding therapeutic and vaccine portfolio. The successful candidate will generate high-quality data to drive method development, process understanding, and analytical readiness across new programs and manufacturing platforms. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-oriented, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This role requires strong technical skills in chromatography, spectroscopy, and separation sciences, along with the ability to manage multiple projects and communicate effectively with cross-functional partners in Analytical Development, Process Development, and Quality.
Requirements
- BS degree with ≥5 years of relevant industry experience in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related discipline.
- Hands-on experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC, CE, UV/Vis, spectroscopy, ddPCR, and/or MAM workflows.
- Proven ability to perform method development, troubleshooting, and data analysis in support of biologics, RNA, or complex formulations.
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking ability in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Highly motivated, scientifically curious, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with LNP characterization or nucleic acid-based analytical methods is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, CE, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ddPCR..) to characterize and assess Moderna's mRNA and LNP-based products.
- Support analytical roadmap implementation, including next-generation methods such as MAM, high-throughput spectroscopy, and advanced separation tools.
- Generate feasibility data and contribute to method development and optimization for novel platforms (e.g., T-cell LNP, meDNA, plasmid manufacturing, oncology programs).
- Conduct bridging studies between legacy and optimized methods, supporting comparability and qualification activities for analytical deep-dive remediation.
- Prepare and analyze samples for method development, qualification support, and technology transfer to Quality Control (QC) and Analytical Technical Operation (ATO).
- Document experimental work in electronic lab notebooks and author technical reports, summaries, and method implementation documents.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with PD and MS&T to ensure analytical readiness for process innovation and scale-up.
- Maintain a strong focus on quality and data integrity, ensuring compliance with internal standards and regulatory expectations.
Benefits
- Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
- A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
- Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize your well-being journey
- Family planning and adoption benefits
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Savings and investment opportunities
- Location-specific perks and extras
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
