Senior Research Associate, Genome Sciences

Responsibilities

• Culture, maintain, and experimentally manipulate mammalian cell lines and primary human cells to support assay development and screening.
• Execute cell-based experiments to evaluate nucleic acid delivery, expression, and durability.
• Perform flow cytometry-based assays to assess cell phenotype, viability, and transfection readouts.
• Design, optimize, and execute qPCR assays for DNA and RNA quantification, including primer/probe design and assay qualification.
• Implement ddPCR workflows to quantify vector copy number and other DNA-based readouts.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data and present findings in accordance with project timelines.
• Maintain accurate, detailed electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) and establish robust workflows and best practices.

Requirements

• BS/BA in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, virology, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Strong mammalian cell culture experience, specifically with primary immune cell types such as T cells and PBMCs.
• Demonstrated expertise in qPCR or ddPCR assay design, development, and optimization.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Must be able to work onsite full-time in Cambridge, MA.
• Must hold current US work authorization without the need for future sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree with 3+ years of relevant experience in biotech, pharma, or an academic research environment.
• Experience with LNP/lipoplex transfection, electroporation, or other nucleic acid delivery workflows.
• Familiarity with PCR- and NGS-adjacent molecular characterization workflows.
• Experience with flow cytometry and cell sorting.
• Familiarity with cellular engineering systems and tools for cell line generation.

Benefits

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage and voluntary benefit programs.
• Holistic well-being support, including fitness, mindfulness, and mental health resources.
• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sabbatical, and global recharge days.
• Savings and investment opportunities.

About the Company

Moderna is pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). We are building a leading mRNA technology platform to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, aiming to bring transformative treatments to patients for serious diseases.