The Role
Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology, with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases. As an employee, you'll be part of a continually growing organization, working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide, contributing to global health initiatives.
Moderna's commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience, with the potential to make a significant impact on patients' lives worldwide.
Moderna's mission is to establish a leading-edge research, development, and manufacturing facility at Harwell, as part of a long-term commitment to onshore mRNA vaccine production for respiratory diseases. This initiative will create a multitude of highly skilled jobs and foster collaboration with academic, NHS and government partners across the UK. We're looking for global experts eager to join us in this endeavour, contributing to a future where access to life-saving vaccines is a reality for all.
Moderna is seeking a talented and driven Scientist to join the Immuno-assays group in Harwell, UK. This hands-on role will serve as a scientific point of contact for cell-based immunoassay development, qualification/validation, and clinical sample testing across multiple therapeutic areas. The successful candidate will bring deep technical expertise in immunology and infectious disease assays, and will support Moderna’s mRNA clinical programs through delivery of high-quality, regulatory-compliant data.
The Scientist will lead assay development and validation activities, conduct clinical sample analyses under GCP/GLP, and coach junior staff. With access to cutting-edge technologies and collaborative partnerships, this position also presents an exciting opportunity to work close to the forefront of Generative AI applications in laboratory informatics and analytics. As a critical member of the Immuno-assay UK team, the successful candidate will drive scientific excellence, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to advance Moderna’s global pipeline.
Here's What You’ll Do
- Your key responsibilities will be:
- Serve as the primary analyst for assigned projects, including assay development, qualification/validation, and clinical sample testing under GCP/GLP conditions.
- Ensure high-quality, regulatory-compliant data is generated to support global clinical trials.
- Author technical reports, maintain meticulous training and quality records, and communicate findings at project team meetings.
- Represent the Immunoassay Team as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and contribute to strategic planning.
- Evaluate and adopt novel technologies to address complex scientific challenges.
- Your responsibilities will also include:
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on assay innovations and operational improvements.
- Train and coach junior laboratory staff, supporting performance reviews and skill development.
- Ensure lab compliance with safety protocols and quality systems (GLP, GCP, ISO).
- Participate in technical conferences and professional development travel, as required.
- Flexibly accommodate occasional weekend or overtime work to meet critical program needs.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- “We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.”
- This role demands constant learning—whether adapting to the latest immunological techniques, incorporating regulatory guidance, or understanding complex clinical trial designs. Your ability to learn rapidly and share knowledge will accelerate team performance and assay reliability.
- “We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.”
- With opportunities to work closely with modern digital systems and explore the intersection of laboratory science and AI-enabled analytics, your computational skills and digital mindset will be crucial in driving Moderna’s data-centric development model.
Here’s What You’ll Bring To The Table
- Ph.D. > 2 yrs or BSC/MSc with >6 years' experience in immunology, or related field conducting assay validation in clinical Immunology under GLP/GCLP environment.
- A background in infectious diseases, virology, bacteriology or oncology and experience with handling laboratory pathogens as containment level 3 is an advantage.
- Experience and deep understanding of cell culture and cell-based assays, particularly bacteriology assays.
- Strong level of understanding and expertise in design and executing efficacy testing in the context of clinical trial
- The ability to work in a cross-functional work environment is critical; strong leadership skills and independence skills are expected.
- Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills; ability to influence and collaborate in a team environment and with external stakeholders.
- Candidate will be curious in exploring new technology, bold in proposing creative experimental designs and ideas. Will work collaboratively with multifunctional teams and will be relentless in pursuing successful outcomes
- Possess strong computational skills, preferably experienced with Word, Excel, Power Point, GraphPad Prism
- Knowledge of system software for data analysis and statistical analysis.
- Experience of working in a regulated environment GLP, GCP, ISO standards is required.
- As part of Moderna’s commitment to workplace safety, this role may require an enhanced pre-employment check.
At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our global benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
- Quality healthcare and insurance benefits
- Lifestyle Spending Accounts to create your own pathway to well-being
- Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
- Family planning and adoption benefits
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Savings and investments
- Location-specific perks and extras!
The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.
About Moderna
Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.
By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities.
We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.
As we build our company, we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.
If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.
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 committed to equal opportunity in employment 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. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.
Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at
[email protected].
