Sr. Research Associate

Moderna • Cambridge, MA

6h • $74,000 - $118,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Immuno-Oncology Research at Moderna is seeking a Senior Research Associate to help develop mRNA-based cancer therapies. The role uses molecular biology and immunology techniques to characterize mRNA products, their activity, and relevant biomarkers in vitro and in vivo, supporting early preclinical research, IND-enabling studies, and translational research. It is a bench-focused position involving technical execution in a cross-functional, fast-paced team. The successful candidate will carry out in vitro and ex vivo experiments and deliver and present high-quality, reproducible data.

The position is 100% onsite to support hands-on research, collaboration, mentorship, and site-based operations. Moderna describes its workplace as smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free.

The stated salary range is $74,000 to $118,400. The successful candidate may also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or an equity award, subject to plan eligibility and individual performance. Moderna offers healthcare and voluntary benefits, well-being resources, family-planning support, paid time off, savings and investment programs, and location-specific perks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of experience.
• Technical experience in cell transfection, long-term immune cell cultures, co-culture assays, standard and spectral multicolor flow cytometry, and protein detection methods such as MSD and ELISA.
• Self-motivation, flexibility, and ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

• 1–3 years of relevant experience in an immuno-oncology setting.
• Experience with assay development and troubleshooting, and familiarity with qPCR and ddPCR.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to high-performing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with GraphPad Prism and Omiq for flow cytometry data analysis.
• Desire to make an impact at a high-growth, transformational company.

Responsibilities

• Use Moderna mRNA products to demonstrate expression and characterize the activity of immuno-oncology therapeutic proteins in relevant in vitro and/or in vivo systems.
• Gain knowledge of preclinical cancer and toxicology models.
• Perform or support immune cell isolation, cell culture, ELISA/MSD, flow cytometry, cell-based functional and reporter assays, and sample processing and analysis for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.
• Collaborate with the direct team and cross-functional scientists.
• Maintain an organized work area and electronic lab notebook.
• Analyze, visualize, and summarize experimental data, and present results at team and cross-functional meetings when relevant.

Benefits

• Competitive healthcare and voluntary benefit programs.
• Fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support.
• Family-planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support.
• Paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown.
• Savings and investment programs.
• Location-specific perks and extras.
• Potential eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or an equity award.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level