Moderna Therapeutics

The Role

Moderna is dedicated to maximizing the impact of our platform on human health with Individual Neoantigen Therapies (INT) and shared antigen cancer vaccines. 

We are seeking a talented and motivated Associate Scientific Director with experience in immuno-oncology and cancer vaccine development to move our novel shared antigen vaccine concepts to the clinic. The successful candidate will drive preclinical research efforts to support our cancer vaccine target selection and validation processes, evaluate rational vaccine drug combinations, measure human T cell responses to vaccine antigens, and generate complete IND-enabling proof-of-biology data sets.

The successful candidate should have experience developing nucleic acid-based vaccines that target tumor antigens. They should have a track record of developing novel immune mono- and combination therapies to treat cancer.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Orchestrate the development of novel vaccine therapeutics from design, pre-clinical testing to IND-filing.
• Collaborate with other teams to evaluate and optimize cancer vaccine technologies.
• Determine preclinical in vitro and in vivo models for testing cancer vaccines.
• Generate complete data packages for IND filings.
• Lead and mentor a team of scientists, developing both managers and individual contributors.
• Present team findings at internal and external meetings in the form of scientific abstracts, posters, presentations, or manuscripts.
• Liaise and collaborate with internal and external research groups.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• PhD in biology, immunology, virology, or related areas of study
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in immune oncology and at least 5 years in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• A record of innovation and research accomplishments in translating cancer therapeutics from preclinical to clinic setting is required.
• You should possess extensive knowledge of vaccine biology, murine tumor models, immunological assays including in vitro/ex-vivo T cell activation and expansion, cytokine profiling, and immune cell characterization by flow cytometry.
• Experience developing mRNA-based cancer therapeutics in pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo models is preferred.
• Strong management experience including a history of developing reports at various levels is required.
• Familiarity with emergent and current standards of care to help define treatment settings, rational combinations, including with cancer vaccines to interrogate pre-clinically is a plus
• Capability to anticipate and recognize potential issues within experimental designs and effectively communicate alternatives
• Ability to effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional matrixed environment.
• Innovative, scientific versatility, flexibility, strong organizational skills, attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work and meet tight timelines.
• Applicants should be highly collaborative team players, excellent communicators and have a demonstrable track record of research accomplishments.
• Respectful and inclusive attitude for your colleagues/team members, in addition to your exemplary collaborative nature, boldness, creativity, curiosity and relentlessness
• A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.

Moderna is pleased to provide you and your family with a comprehensive and innovative suite of benefits, including:

• Highly competitive and inclusive medical, dental and vision coverage options
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
• Lifestyle Spending Account funds to help you engage in personal enrichment and self-care activities
• Family care benefits, including subsidized back-up care options and on-demand tutoring
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes 
• Exclusive preferred pricing on Peloton fitness equipment
• Adoption and family-planning benefits
• Dedicated care coordination support for our LGBTQ+ community
• Generous paid time off, including:
• Vacation, sick time and holidays
• Volunteer time to participate within your community
• Discretionary year-end shutdown
• Paid sabbatical after 5 years; every 3 years thereafter
• Generous Paid Leave offerings, including 18 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for all new parents
• 401k match and Financial Planning tools
• Moderna-paid Life, LTD and STD insurance coverages, as well as voluntary benefit options
• Complimentary concierge service including home services research, travel booking, and entertainment requests
• Free parking or subsidized commuter passes
• Location-specific perks and extras!

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world. 

By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!

Moderna is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Belonging, Inclusion, and Diversity are critical to the success of our company and our impact on society. We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees and believe that by cultivating diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we can provide an environment where every employee is able to contribute their best.

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the Talent Acquisition Partner or contact the Accommodations team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com. (EEO/AAP Employer) 

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