Senior Scientist, Translational Immunology

ModernaTX • Cambridge, MA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Moderna is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Infectious Disease Research Immunology team in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The role leads translational immunology studies that help teams understand immune responses and make decisions about vaccine and therapeutic candidates. It combines scientific leadership with experimental expertise across preclinical models and human samples.

As a member of the Immunology leadership team, the Senior Scientist works across programs to identify important scientific questions, develop study plans, and interpret results in their biological and clinical context. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in B cells, T cells, or innate immune cells, apply that expertise to new questions, and learn beyond their original specialty. The scientific focus will reflect the candidate’s strengths and portfolio needs; expertise in every listed area is not expected.

This is a 100% onsite role. Moderna describes its in-person culture as important for collaboration, mentorship, hands-on partnership, and site-based operations. The work environment is smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free.

Requirements

• PhD in immunology or a related discipline, with a strong foundation in immune-cell biology and relevant research experience.
• At least 2 years of experience.
• Deep expertise in at least one area of cellular immunology, such as B-cell, T-cell, or innate immune-cell biology, supported by hands-on experience studying primary immune cells.
• Experience designing and interpreting cellular assays, including multiparameter flow cytometry and functional assays appropriate to the area of expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to translate a biological or clinical question into a study plan and use findings to guide a research or development decision.
• Experience leading scientific work across disciplines, mentoring colleagues, and clearly communicating complex results and their limitations.
• Ability to learn new biological areas and methods quickly, adapt to changing program needs, and contribute beyond the primary specialty.

Nice To Haves

• B-cell and antibody biology, including antigen-specific cell isolation, antibody discovery, repertoire analysis, epitope mapping, or antibody binding and function.
• T-cell biology, including antigen-specific responses, differentiation and memory, antigen presentation, or functional assessment.
• Innate immune-cell biology, including myeloid-cell function, immune activation, or mechanisms that shape vaccine responses.
• Mucosal or tissue immunity, including local immune responses and relevant human or preclinical models.
• Single-cell or other high-dimensional immune profiling, with experience integrating cellular, molecular, and functional data.
• Infectious disease, vaccine, or therapeutic development experience, including translational studies using human samples.

Responsibilities

• Lead translational immunology strategy for assigned programs, identifying immune mechanisms to investigate and evidence needed to inform candidate selection, study design, and development decisions.
• Design and lead studies using human samples and preclinical models to characterize immune-cell responses and connect cellular, antibody, and functional findings to program questions.
• Provide experimental expertise and scientific oversight in the employee’s area of specialization.
• Develop fit-for-purpose assays, establish appropriate controls, and explain what results do and do not support.
• Collaborate with colleagues in virology, bacteriology, antigen design, clinical development, medical affairs, biomarkers, and computational sciences to integrate findings and guide follow-up experiments.
• Lead studies in B-cell and antibody biology, T-cell responses, or innate immunity, while applying and expanding expertise to address questions across programs.
• Support platform studies and new discovery efforts by evaluating emerging methods and identifying approaches applicable across programs.
• Set scientific priorities with program teams, balance competing demands, and clearly communicate scientific rationale, evidence, uncertainties, and recommendations to research and development leaders.
• Mentor scientists and research associates, strengthen experimental design and data interpretation, and help colleagues build new capabilities.

Benefits

• Competitive healthcare and voluntary benefit programs.
• Well-being resources, including 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 programs to help employees plan for the future.
• Location-specific perks and extras.
• May be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or an equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree