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Principal Scientist/Associate Director, In Vitro Biology

Employer
Moderna
Location
Cambridge, MA
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Nov 5, 2019

View more

Discipline
Life Sciences, Biology
Job Type
Research Scientist
Organization Type
All Industry, Biotech

Job Details

The Role:

Moderna is seeking an experienced and motivated cell biologist for a position based in Cambridge, MA. The ideal candidate will play a central role in introducing, implementing and executing high throughput cell-based protein expression and functional assays for screening drug substance and drug product in support of Moderna's platform technology development. The individual will guide, mentor and supervise research associates within the in vitro assay screening team, and will be a responsible, collaborative and experienced scientist and manager, with significant expertise and a broad background in leading cellular screening assay development, implementation, and execution.

Here's What You'll Do:
  • Provide scientific guidance and technical expertise for biological assessment of modified mRNA on cross functional platform teams.
  • Lead team to develop, implement and execute select cellular models to inform on the impact of chemical and structural modifications on protein expression, innate immune activation and other homeostatic cellular processes in mammalian cells and tissues.
  • Development of in vitro assays (e.g. immunoassay, ELISA, ELLA, FACS, MSD, LiCor, PCR, Western blot, luminescence, fluorescence, Incucyte, bDNA, and functional activity) using primary and cultured mammalian cells to support platform screening.
  • Utilize molecular technologies to generate stable expressing and knock-out cell systems for cell model development.
  • Optimize in vitro assays for improved performance, throughput, capacity, turnaround time, and efficiency.
  • Closely collaborate with members of the In Vitro Biology and Platform Development teams, and broadly with R&D and therapeutic departments throughout the company.
  • Accountable for screening strategy, execution, interpretation, communication of results, and follow-up assessment.


Here's What You'll Bring to the Table:
  • Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or In Vitro Pharmacology, with at least 8 years of combined industry and/or academic experience developing and executing high throughput cellular screening assays.
  • Hands on experience with diverse cell culture models, molecular and cellular techniques, and mammalian cultured and primary cell models, preferably with knowledge of human primary blood cells.
  • Demonstrated understanding of molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry and the utilization of cell-based assays to examine the expression and/or activity of a variety of protein targets.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative skills, attentive to detail, and the ability to work independently and effectively across a highly dynamic environment.
  • Experience with high throughput screening using robotic workstations.
  • Familiarity with nucleic acid therapeutic characterization.
  • Ability to multi-task to meet aggressive timelines and development goals.
  • 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


Here's What We'll Bring to the Table:
  • Daily on-site catered lunches
  • Company-provided iPhone
  • Free parking, monthly subway pass or a subsidized commuter rail pass
  • Highly competitive healthcare coverage including: medical offered through BCBS (HMO/PPO), dental, and vision offered through VSP
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
  • 16 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for all new parents
  • 16 weeks 100% paid family caregiver leave
  • 20 weeks 100% paid medical leave
  • Adoption assistance and discounts to local childcare centers, as well as access to care.com
  • 401k (traditional and Roth offered) with 50% match on first 6% deferred. Match is vested immediately
  • A suite of Moderna paid insurance coverage, including: life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
  • Voluntary legal assistance plan
  • 15 days' vacation and 7 sick days per year, in addition to a discretionary winter shut down and 11 company paid holidays


Why join Moderna Therapeutics

At Moderna, we believe messenger RNA, or mRNA, is the "software of life." Every cell in the body uses mRNA to provide real-time instructions to make the proteins necessary to drive all aspects of biology, including in human health and disease. Given its essential role, we believe mRNA could be used to create a new category of medicines with significant potential to improve the lives of patients.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., Moderna currently has strategic alliances for development programs with AstraZeneca, Plc. and Merck, Inc., as well as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense; and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Moderna has been ranked in the top ten of Science's list of top biopharma industry employers for the past four years. To learn more, visit www.modernatx.com .

Our Mission:
Deliver on the promise of mRNA science to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients.

#LI-AG1

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 person's 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.

Company

Moderna is a clinical stage pioneer of messenger RNA (mRNA) Therapeutics™, an entirely new in vivo drug technology that directs the body’s cells to produces human proteins, antibodies and novel protein constructs, which are in turn secreted or active intracellularly. Founded in 2011, we are headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. 

Our Team and Mission

We currently have over 500 team members, an exceptional group of scientists and industry professionals who are wholly committed to advancing Moderna’s mission:  deliver on the promise of mRNA science to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients.

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