Senior Research Associate - ID Immunology

The Role:

Moderna is seeking a talented, experienced, and motivated Sr. Research Associate to join the Infectious Disease Research Immunology team. The candidate will be part of a team advancing vaccine and therapeutic candidates from key preclinical through IND-enabling studies and will further support translational decisions across multiple programs.

This role will focus on the design, execution, and optimization of antibody binding and functional serological assays to characterize humoral immune responses across preclinical models and clinical samples. The candidate will contribute to assay development across platforms such as ELISA, Luminex, MSD, and Octet, and support epitope mapping and antibody characterization efforts in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

The successful candidate will generate high-quality data, analyze and interpret experimental results to inform vaccine and therapeutic strategies, contribute to the development of novel immunological assays, and support the evaluation of immune responses to mRNA-based interventions.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, detail-oriented scientist with strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and a passion for advancing mRNA technologies to address unmet infectious disease threats.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Execute and optimize antibody binding assays across platforms including ELISA, Luminex, MSD, and Octet

• Design, develop, and perform competitive and capture ligand binding assays

• Perform functional serological assays, including blockade and enzyme inhibition assays

• Conduct epitope-specific enrichment and depletion studies to characterize humoral immune responses

• Maintain mammalian cell cultures and develop and execute cell-based assays

• Analyze and interpret experimental data using tools such as GraphPad Prism

• Maintain accurate and detailed records in electronic lab notebooks and contribute to SOP development

• Prepare clear, data-driven presentations and reports and present findings at team meetings

• Manage multiple experiments and projects concurrently, collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams

• Support automation of routine assays and implement AI-enabled workflows where applicable

• Evaluate scientific literature to inform assay development and identify emerging technologies in infectious disease research

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

• Bachelor’s degree with expertise in immunology, microbiology vaccinology or related field with 2+ years of relevant experience

• Hands-on experience with ligand binding assays and strong level of understanding in designing and executing assays with increasing independence

• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to evolving scientific and programmatic needs

• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to data quality and reproducibility

• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work

• At Moderna, we are focused on delivering on our mission by enabling talent to thrive. For this role, we are currently unable to offer immigration sponsorship. Candidates must already hold work authorization in US and be able to maintain that status without the need for future sponsorship

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

• The ability to work across pathogen types (bacteria, viruses)

• The ability to work in a cross-functional work environment is critical

• Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills; ability to influence and collaborate in a team environment

• Candidate will be curious in exploring new path for drug discovery, bold in proposing creative experimental designs and ideas. Will work collaboratively with multifunctional teams and will be relentless in pursuing successful outcomes.

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Competitive healthcare, 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 investments to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $74,000.00 - $118,400.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs. 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.

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. 

Our Working Model 

As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. 

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

Equal Opportunities

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 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 an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

Accommodations

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can 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 contact the Accommodations team at [email protected]. 

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