(Contract) Research Associate, Process Development

(Contract) Research Associate, Process Development

The Role:
Reporting to the Sr. Engineer II, Drug Product Process Development and Scale-up, the (Contract) Sr. / Research Associate will apply their process engineering skills to the continued development of Moderna's lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA formulation processes. Our group's laboratories are in both Cambridge and Norwood, MA. Periodic or frequent work at either site may be required (company shuttle and other transportation solutions are available). The anticipated duration of this assignment is 6 months.

This team-based position will be responsible for advancing new product candidates and formulations to human clinical trials through the development and demonstration of robust processes that are suitable for eventual scale-up to commercial manufacturing. This role will be responsible for supporting the development of one or more process unit operations and will be expected to understand and execute the entire formulation process at various production scales.

We operate in a fast-paced environment and are frequently stimulated by technical and logistical challenges. At Moderna, we are Bold, Relentless, Curious and Collaborative! In our fast-paced environment, expect to take on technical and logistical challenges that are outside of your comfort zone. Your effort will be reinforced by your team as you assimilate the operation skills and collect the analytical insights needed to be successful.

Here's What You'll Do:

• Design and/or execute experiments to enable process evaluation and characterization
• Develop and characterize processes to enable mRNA lipid nanoparticle-based drug product manufacturing at multiple manufacturing scales
• Work with bench scale and pilot scale equipment to enable the scale-up of the mRNA bulk drug product manufacturing process
• Produce drug product batches at pilot scale to meet toxicology needs and t o evaluate the performance of the scaled-up process
• Work in teams and individually, with supervision
• Apply Quality-by-Design principles to process development
• Rigorously document your primary data and summarize your work in technical memos and reports
• Adhere to safety procedures

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

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field (required)
• 0-2 years of experience in process development/engineering, technical operations or manufacturing
• Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional matrix environment
• Mechanical aptitude
• Motivated, detail oriented, and shows a passion for high quality work

Preferred qualifications:

• 2-4 years of industry experience or MS with 1+ years of industry experience, in Pharmaceutical, Bioprocess or Biotechnology development
• Experience in the development of nanoparticle products and processes
• A demonstrated background in standard bioprocess unit operations (e.g. mixing, NF/TF filtration, chromatography)
• Experience with analytical characterization techniques including dynamic light scattering, HPLC, spectroscopy
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices

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.

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.