Sr. Research Associate, Infectious Disease Research

The Role

Moderna is seeking a talented and motivated Senior Research Associate to join the Infectious Disease Research group to support the advancement of novel next generation vaccine strategies for infectious disease programs. This position is based at the Moderna Cambridge site and will be functioning within the Immunoengineering division. This is a research position that requires critical thinking, flexibility, multitasking, a high level of technical expertise and the ability to learn new techniques.Research areas of interest include immunology, dendritic cell and lymphocyte biology, and vaccine design. The individual in this role will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the context of vaccination. The successful candidate will be responsible for the collection, preparation, stimulation, and staining of preclinical samples that will then be analyzed by flow cytometry. Applicants should be highly collaborative, excellent communicators and have a demonstrable track record of accomplishing team objectives and deliverables.

Heres What Youll Do

• The successful candidate is expected to have substantial hands-on experience in flow cytometry acquisition and analysis, cell sorting, and antibody panel design.

• Develop and perform ex vivo/in vivo immunology-related assays, including cell/tissue sample processing and antibody/probe staining

• Perform cell-based assays including maintaining and plating of cell lines and primary cells

• Analyze human and murine immune cells and responses, including co-culture assays, ELISpot, and ELISA; assist new assay development and technological advancements

• RNA isolation from cells and tissues, including ex vivo/in vitro transfection

• Work with a team of scientists to evaluate novel vaccine designs in preclinical models

• General laboratory assistance, including lab equipment maintenance, ordering and organizing supplies/reagents, and maintaining and supporting safe lab practices

• Adhere to established documentation, procedures and workflows, and assist in establishing and improving all procedures and required SOP documentation

• Analyze, interpret/present data, and document scientific work

• Contribute to reports, regulatory submissions and presentations

Heres What Youll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• Bachelors, or Masters Degree in Immunology, Life Sciences, Biology, or related field

• Minimum of 2 years of prior related laboratory experience

• In depth experience in flow cytometry required

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• In depth experience in the principles and practice of flow cytometry from cell sample processing and antibody/probe staining, through sample acquisition and data analysis

• Direct hands-on experience on cytometers such as BD Fortessa/Symphony, Cytek Aurora, and Aria/Sony cell sorters. Experience in spectral flow cytometry preferred.

• Experience in RNA isolation techniques; including experience in the 10X single cell platform is desirable

• Experience with cell culture, ex vivo assays, and cell isolation from tissues

• Knowledge of system softwares for data analysis: FlowJo, OMIQ

• Possess good computational skills, experienced with Word, Excel, Power Point, and GraphPad Prism

• Flexibility with changing priorities and urgent project requests

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills required

• 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!

Candidates should be aware that Moderna currently maintains a policy requiring all US-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster shot once eligible. Newly hired employees must be vaccinated and boosted prior to their employment start date. Moderna is an equal opportunity employer and will provide a reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated or receive a booster where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.

About Moderna

In over 10 years since its inception, Moderna has transformed from a research-stage company advancing programs in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA), to an enterprise with a diverse clinical portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics across seven modalities, a broad intellectual property portfolio in areas including mRNA and lipid nanoparticle formulation, and an integrated manufacturing plant that allows for rapid clinical and commercial production at scale. Moderna maintains alliances with a broad range of domestic and overseas government and commercial collaborators, which has allowed for the pursuit of both groundbreaking science and rapid scaling of manufacturing. Most recently, Moderna's capabilities have come together to allow the authorized use and approval of one of the earliest and most effective vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderna's mRNA platform builds on continuous advances in basic and applied mRNA science, delivery technology and manufacturing, and has allowed the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Moderna has been named a top biopharmaceutical employer by Science for the past seven years. To learn more, visit www.modernatx.com.

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

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a persons race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

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