Associate Director, Discovery Chemistry

Associate Director, Discovery Chemistry

The Role

Moderna is seeking an Associate Director level chemist to drive lead generation of novel biomaterials within the Discovery Chemistry team. The individual will be responsible for the driving the design of new materials, including polymers and small molecules, aimed at progressing Moderna's mRNA delivery platform. The person will have the opportunity to managing a diverse team of chemists as well as be a key contributor within cross-functional teams. This position is based in Cambridge, MA.

Here's What You'll Do:

• Lead the design, planning and execution of multi-step organic synthesis of novel polymers and small molecules to solve delivery challenges for multiple therapy areas.
• Manage a team of chemists and ensure timeline adherence and project alignment to meet group and company goals.
• Work within and lead cross-functional teams to evaluate and optimize the efficiency and safety of our delivery technologies for multiple therapy areas.
• Collaborate on the development of novel in vitro assays for the characterization of novel materials and particles.
• Design in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate novel designs; analyze, collate and communicate data to the team
• Communication of project updates to Moderna senior leaders, external advisors, and industry partners.

Here's What You'll Bring to the Table:

• PhD in Chemistry and minimum 5-10 years' industry or academic experience in development of novel biomaterials.
• Experience leading and managing chemistry teams in a matrix organization.
• Strong foundation in materials design and medicinal chemistry.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional matrix environment.
• Proven ability to absorb and analyze multi-factorial data, generate conclusions and design next steps.
• Ability to understand complex biological systems and employ chemistry to generate and test hypotheses.
• Experience working with CROs and vendors.
• Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

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
• Free annual corporate membership to Bluebikes
• 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 (includes 2 floating holidays)

Why join Moderna

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.

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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.