Director, Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine Research

The Role:

Moderna is dedicated to maximizing the impact of our Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines (TCVs) encoding antigens common in broad patient populations, with our current vaccine platform and future improvements.

This is a great opportunity to lead Research efforts and further define strategy to apply our vaccine technology to benefit cancer patients outside of Personalized Cancer Vaccines (PCVs). The successful candidate will build from and beyond our 2 clinical stage programs (Checkpoint Vaccine mRNA-4359 and KRAS Vaccine mRNA-5671) in defining new approaches for cancers that have common antigens that could be targeted through generation of specific T cell responses with pre-manufactured, off-the-shelf vaccines.

We are looking for a talented, innovative, motivated and proven leader with experience in supporting ongoing trials and well as leading next generation concepts. She /he/they will work closely with our other Cancer Vaccine Research groups (PCV and Cancer Vaccine Platform Research teams), Immuno-Oncology Research team, Translational Research and cross-functionally with the wider Non-clinical Sciences and Clinical Development organizations with the common goal of helping as many cancer patients as possible. The successful candidate must be an outstanding scientist, exemplary leader and collaborator, effective communicator and thrive in a fast-paced/results-oriented environment managing several workflows in parallel.

Heres What Youll Do:

• Define the overall strategy for off-the-shelf TCVs in conjunction with the CSO, Strategy and Development teams

• Working with the Bioinformatics and Translational Research teams, define target antigens to encode in defined formats for specific indications and patient populations

• Generate and execute on research plans for Program Initiation, Lead Nomination and Optimization, and later stages of pre-clinical development through IND-filing

• Research Program Leader for clinical stage TCV programs

• Help define and provide justification for rational TCV combinations with mRNA-based approaches as well as with standards of care and other emerging therapies, including generating appropriate pre-clinical data

• Generate data and provide justification for optimized dose, schedule, and treatment sequencing

• Identify and lead external collaborations and working cross functionally within Moderna to identify external technologies and data to advance the TCV Research agenda and Pipeline

• Establish group goals, associated budgets and set timelines for deliverables

• Present internally and externally to a wide array of audiences (small team meetings to Board meetings and external international conferences)

• Supervise and mentor scientists, and help direct reports effectively manage their reports

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table:

• Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Immuno-oncology (IO) or related field relevant to the role with 10+ years of overall experience

• Deep expertise in vaccinology; advantage to have direct experience with nucleic acid-based vaccine technologies

• Experience working on cross functional pre-clinical and clinical stage program teams

• Technical expertise for deep analyses of pre-clinical and clinical samples, such as with genomic profiling, bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, multi-parameter flow/CyTOF panels

• Bioinformatics familiarity to analyze/understand large patient derived datasets either directly or via team members

• Immuno-Oncology experience to contribute to Mechanisms of Action and Resistance MOA/MOR evaluations as well as knowledge of emergent and current standards of care to help define rational combinations

• Leadership and management experience, including oversight of financial, IP and legal aspects

• Ability to effectively lead and collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional matrixed environment

• Experience working with and overseeing partnerships with academic, industrial, governmental, and other non-governmental organization

• Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written)

• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with aggressive timelines

• Respectful and inclusive attitude for your colleagues/team members, in addition to your exemplary collaborative nature, boldness, curiosity and relentlessness

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

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 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. Were 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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