Sr. Director, Preclinical Synthetic Biology, Moderna Genomics

Moderna Genomics:

As part of our vision, Moderna is committed to invest in R&D to further expand our impact on patients. We are building an independent research and business unit for genomic medicines, called Moderna Genomics (mGx) based in Technology Square, Cambridge, MA.mGx is an innovation engine for the company focused on discovering and delivering the next generation of in vivo gene editing and transgene therapies and our ultimate vision is to enable Personalized Gene Editing.

The Role:

mGx is seeking an experienced leader for its Preclinical Synthetic Biology team. The Candidate will lead and scale the team to create a state-of-the-art in vivo modeling research platform to power the creation of Individualized Gene Editing Medicines. The candidate will be an established industry leader with a proven track record of designing and executing in vivo screening strategies to investigate the mechanistic underpinnings of key components of genomic tools to enable creation of novel precision gene editing systems. The candidate will build and lead the implementation of multiple platforms to (1) define and faithfully recapitulate key genetic and phenotypic aspects of disease targets of interest in preclinical species and (2) establish a comprehensive strategy to evaluate and model pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic delivery outcomes. In collaboration with regulatory colleagues and other stakeholders, the leader will envision the strategy and generate key IND-enabling in vivo data to de-risk and build toward the mission of enabling safe, effective personalized gene editing medicines.

Leveraging the most advanced analytics and in vivo modeling, the candidate will envision and drive the research to efficiently generate and analyze data to enable cross-functional efforts to invent and evolve proprietary gene editing systems for in vivo gene editing. The candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with Discovery, Preclinical Translational and Quantitative Biology colleagues to develop and characterize the biology of the animal disease models.

In addition, the candidate will define the research strategy for characterizing the biological and innate immunological outcomes of gene editing system delivery using preclinical models.

The leader will have demonstrated success in delivering on goals in a timely manner in an industrial environment and possess significant experience managing people. Furthermore, the ideal candidate will have previously developed and executed multi-component, high-throughput, and screening strategies in vivo. The ability to articulate scientific data to audiences with distinct expertise and levels that span the entire organization is required. The candidate will have well-developed skills to lead and contribute to complex conversations with peers of diverse expertise to drive decisions based on robust science and actively managed risks.

Heres What Youll Do

• Establish, scale, lead and mentor a team with extensive knowledge of technically advanced animal models and pharmacology to design, evaluate and validate novel gene editing system in preclinical models.

• Apply deep expertise in pharmacology, histology and histopathology to develop in vivo studies to interrogate the physiological responses to the LNP mediated delivery of various genomic therapeutic modalities.

• Lead cross-functional design and execution of lentiviral arrayed and/or pooled screening approaches in preclinical species of interest

• Lead the design, optimization, and execution of high-content and/or multi-component screening strategies using state-of-the art in vivo imaging, pathology and histopathology techniques including SLIDEseq.

• Collaborate with the Transgene Delivery Innovation team; Gene Editing Innovation team, and computational biology colleagues to envision, develop and deploy analytics to evaluate multi-omic data generated from animal studies

• Collaborate to develop and deploy in vivo models as needed.

• Deliver and communicate scientifically robust data packages in a timely manner at all levels of the organization

Heres What Youll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• A Masters or PhD in pharmacology, cell biology, genetics, or molecular biology or related discipline with 18+ years of industry experience for a Masters degree candidate; or with 14+ years of post-doctoral experience in an academic or an industry setting for a PhD degree candidate

• Demonstrated deep expertise and application in the field of LNP delivery of nucleic acids therapeutic with extensive experience of applying preclinical pharmacology and in vivo model systems in an industry setting is required.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Exceptional ability and demonstrated track record to conceive, adapt, and evolve the latest and most advanced pharmacology assays for nucleic acid modalities

• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated ability to integrate seamlessly from cellular assays to preclinical studies in a comprehensive fashion is required

• Industry experience in multiple therapeutic modalities such as siRNA, large nucleic acids and biologics strongly preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of molecular biology and cell biology is strongly preferred.

• Proven track record to manage and motivate a team of scientists and associates in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

• Strong verbal and communication skills, and ability to compose presentations that effectively communicate complex scientific concepts and research strategies.

• Successful track record leading multiple projects to generate novel scientific insights in a fast-paced environment.

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.

• 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

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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