Director, Analytical Chemistry
Job Location:
Cambridge, MA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The Role:
Moderna is seeking a Director Analytical Chemistry to provide scientific strategic and organizational leadership for discovery-stage analytical chemistry activities supporting mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) research across a diverse portfolio of nucleic acid medicines. This leader will define and advance analytical strategies that enable rapid design-make-test-learn cycles across novel ionizable lipids polymers excipients payloads formulations and delivery systems used in mRNA-LNP therapeutics and vaccines.
The successful candidate will serve as a senior analytical partner to medicinal chemistry computational chemistry formulation delivery sciences platform biology and selected development functions to accelerate molecular design analytical decision-making and candidate progression. The individual will guide analytical approaches spanning small molecules polymers and lipid characterization impurity profiling structure elucidation orthogonal physicochemical characterization and fit-for-purpose evaluation of RNA lipid and nanoparticle attributes in support of discovery and early development objectives.
Building Modernas technical model for analytical leadership this role will provide strategic oversight of method development method qualification and transfer where appropriate characterization impurity identification and analytical control strategy concepts relevant to discovery and translational research. The leader will help define decision-quality analytical packages ensure alignment of analytical deliverables with program milestones and provide technical guidance and oversight to both internal teams and external CRO/CDMO partners.
This position requires deep expertise in modern analytical chemistry and a strong ability to translate complex data into actionable scientific decisions. The ideal candidate will combine technical depth in separation science characterization and structure elucidation with proven leadership experience sound scientific judgment and the ability to build productive partnerships across internal teams and external collaborators. Experience supporting transitions from discovery through IND-enabling or early clinical development is strongly valued. Experience with high-throughput methodologies is highly desirable and familiarity with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques is considered a strong plus.
This role will be in Cambridge MA.
Heres What Youll Do
Lead and develop a high-performing team of analytical scientists and depending on organizational design matrix-lead additional scientists across analytical chemistry characterization and platform functions supporting discovery-stage mRNA-LNP research.
Set the analytical chemistry vision and strategy for discovery-stage mRNA-LNP programs ensuring fit-for-purpose analytical capabilities are available to support lipid design payload evaluation formulation screening and candidate advancement.
Serve as the senior analytical partner to medicinal chemistry teams by enabling structure confirmation purity and impurity profiling route support reference standard strategy and rapid troubleshooting for novel lipids and related small molecules.
Partner closely with computational chemistry and data science teams to translate molecular design hypotheses into analytical learning plans generate data sets that improve structure-property understanding and inform iterative design of ionizable lipids and related delivery materials.
Collaborate with formulation and delivery sciences teams to establish robust analytical workflows for screening and characterizing LNP systems including support for lipid composition assessment encapsulation-related analytics degradation pathways and physicochemical attribute characterization.
Guide fit-for-purpose analytical method development optimization qualification transfer and lifecycle management across chromatography mass spectrometry spectroscopy and orthogonal characterization platforms.
Provide scientific leadership in small molecule and lipid structure elucidation impurity identification forced degradation or stress studies where relevant and root-cause analysis of analytical or material quality issues.
Oversee analytical characterization strategies for relevant large molecules and nucleic acid components with familiarity in mRNA or related RNA analytics and the interfaces between drug substance formulation and drug product performance.
Work with discovery platform and selected development teams to ensure analytical deliverables technical risk assessments and timelines remain aligned with program objectives and portfolio milestones.
Provide technical leadership and oversight to external partners including CROs and CDMOs for specialty characterization method transfer development support and data package review.
Author and review technical reports analytical development documentation invention disclosures publications and selected regulatory-facing analytical content as appropriate for the maturity of the program.
Serve as a strategic and technical partner to Research Technical Development Analytical Development and Process Chemistry and Development functions to drive analytical strategy discussions define action items and build scalable capabilities where discovery and development intersect.
Represent analytical chemistry in cross-functional governance portfolio discussions technical reviews and external interactions and help shape investment priorities for instrumentation digital workflows and scientific capability building.
You will apply high-throughput methodologies to accelerate research and development efforts leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to enhance data analysis and decision-making.
Analytical development in Moderna is structured around a centers-of-emphasis model and accordingly the individual will liaise with the appropriate teams and groups to lead technical and strategic efforts in the area of small molecule lipid RNA and nanoparticle analytics.
Heres What Youll Need (Basic Qualifications)
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry Organic Chemistry Pharmaceutical Sciences Chemical Biology Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline with 9 years of relevant industry experience; a strong M.S. candidate with significant leadership experience may also be considered.
Substantial experience in analytical chemistry supporting discovery research and/or early development in biotech or pharmaceutical settings including demonstrated leadership at the program function or platform level.
Deep expertise in small molecules polymers and lipid analytical chemistry including structure elucidation impurity assessment method development advanced characterization and the use of orthogonal analytical approaches and tools for novel chemical entities or excipients.
Deep expertise in separation techniques and analytical platforms such as UPLC HPLC LC-MS LC-CAD GC-MS CE NMR UV/Vis IR particle or colloidal characterization methods and other relevant physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques.
Working knowledge of large molecule and nucleic acid analytics with meaningful familiarity in mRNA or related RNA characterization and an understanding of how RNA quality attributes interface with formulation and delivery performance.
Demonstrated managerial abilities and strong technical leadership in both direct reporting relationships and in a matrix and cross-functional environment to execute strategy.
Experience with technology transfer to internal or external partners and with building productive working relationships with CRO and/or CDMO collaborators.
Experience in developing phase-appropriate analytical strategies and control concepts in settings that bridge discovery and development including familiarity with technical documentation that supports progression into regulated environments.
Sound understanding of analytical methods pertaining to mRNA-LNP products and their components including the relationships between lipid identity composition formulation properties and product performance.
Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks CDS LES and/or LIMS and an interest in modern data workflows that improve decision making and execution speed.
Experience applying high-throughput methodologies to accelerate research and development along with proficiency in leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance data analysis and inform decision-making.
Excellent communication and influence skills with the ability to distill complex analytical data into clear recommendations for senior leaders and diverse scientific stakeholders.
Exceptional ability to drive teams toward best practices in a fast-paced environment while helping build durable technical and business processes.
This position is site-based requiring you to be at Modernas site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.
Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)
Experience supporting mRNA-LNP oligonucleotide gene editing or related nucleic acid modalities in discovery translational or early development settings.
Experience with lipid library characterization ionizable lipid structure-property relationships and analytical support for high-throughput or iterative formulation screening workflows.
Experience contributing to IND-enabling or early clinical development programs including analytical sections of technical reports regulatory submissions or health authority responses.
Familiarity with design-of-experiments multivariate data analysis cheminformatics-enabled workflows and digital laboratory systems.
Experience with high-throughput methodologies is highly desirable and familiarity with artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.
A publication patent or innovation record that demonstrates scientific thought leadership in analytical chemistry delivery sciences or nucleic acid therapeutics.
A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth transformational company that is Bold Relentless Curious and Collaborative.
Pay & Benefits
At Moderna we believe that when you feel your best you can do your best work. Thats why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support youat work at home and everywhere in between.
Best-in-class healthcare coverage plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
A holistic approach to well-being with access to fitness mindfulness and mental health support
Family planning benefits including fertility adoption and surrogacy support
Generous paid time off including vacation volunteer days sabbatical global recharge days and a discretionary year-end shutdown
Savings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the future
Location-specific perks and extras
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.
If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine we invite you to visit to learn more about our current opportunities.
Our Working Model
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.
Moderna is a smoke-free alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.
Equal Opportunities
Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a persons 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 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 an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories consistent with legal requirements.
Accommodations
Were 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 accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation 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 team at .
Export Control Notice This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such employment is contingent upon the applicants ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens permanent residents asylees or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license. #LI-NH1-
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
Learn how we’re changing the world of medicine. Discover career opportunities, our product pipeline, and browse media resources. Meet Moderna.
