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.
As a Senior Research Associate within Moderna's Immunoassays team, you will drive high-quality, cell-based assay development and clinical sample testing to support our advancing pipeline of mRNA medicines. In this hands-on laboratory-based role, you will play a vital part in ensuring timely and robust data output for GCLP clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas. This is a dynamic opportunity to work with cutting-edge immunological assays and to help shape a high-functioning research environment in Moderna's UK site in Harwell.
Here's What You’ll Do
Your key responsibilities will be:
- Execute development, qualification, and validation of complex cell-based immunoassays for clinical trials.
- Perform mammalian cell culture, including cell proliferation, viral transduction, and production.
- Conduct high-quality sample testing and deliver data to support GCLP-compliant clinical trials.
- Maintain cell lines and support all cell culture-related laboratory functions, including media preparation, reagent tracking, and record keeping.
- Author experimental plans, generate and analyze data independently, and contribute to study reports and SOPs.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with project teams and scientific leads.
Your Responsibilities Will Also Include
- Train junior team members as needed, acting as a technical resource.
- Support lab operations, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, procurement, and receiving of reagents.
- Serve in assigned laboratory roles such as safety coordinator or equipment owner.
- Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines, maintaining accurate training and procedural documentation.
- Work predominantly (>85%) in a laboratory environment with occasional overtime or weekend shifts as required.
The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- We behave like owners. The solutions we’re building go beyond any job description. In this individual contributor role, your attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and sense of accountability will be crucial in a dynamic, high-stakes clinical development setting.
- We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients. You will contribute to an environment increasingly connected with digital and automation tools. Your openness to digital innovation will position you to grow alongside Moderna's expanding technological landscape, including opportunities to work closer to generative AI tools that streamline scientific workflows.
Here’s What You’ll Bring To The Table
- BSC/MSc Degree in Biology, Biotechnology or biomedical scientists with laboratory research experience in a lab environment
- Hands-on experience with cell culture in aseptic conditions, functional bacterial assay experience may also be considered.
- 2-3 years technical experience in cell culture, lab instrumentation, cell-based assays preferred.
- Demonstrated level of independence and work ethics
- Good written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills
- Good computational skills, preferably experienced with Word, Excel, Power Point, GraphPad Prism
- Preferably knowledge of working in a regulated environment (GCP, GLP, ISO standards)
- Preferable experience with LIMS systems.
- As part of Moderna’s commitment to workplace safety, this role may require an enhanced pre-employment check.
- This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.
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].
