Head of Translational Medicine
Cambridge, MA - USA
Job Summary
The Role:
Moderna is seeking an enterprise-minded Head of Translational Medicine to lead and integrate translational medicine translational research and clinical pharmacology & pharmacometrics into a unified high-impact organization.
This role will define and execute a cohesive translational strategy across the full lifecycle of Modernas oncology and therapeutics pipelinefrom discovery through clinical development and lifecycle management. The Head of Translational Medicine will ensure seamless integration of biological insights biomarker strategies quantitative pharmacology and clinical translation to accelerate decision-making optimize development pathways and maximize the probability of technical and regulatory success.
This is a senior leadership role at the core of Modernas ability to translate its mRNA platform into transformative medicines. As a key member of the Development leadership team this individual will unify translational disciplines to drive innovation at the intersection of Research and Development shaping how the company makes development decisions accelerates programs and delivers differentiated medicines for patients at scale while leading a large multidisciplinary organization.
Heres What Youll Do:
Enterprise & Portfolio Strategy
- Define and lead an integrated end-to-end translational strategy across Translational Medicine Translational Research and Clinical Pharmacology/Pharmacometrics spanning discovery through lifecycle management
- Establish a unified framework connecting biological insights biomarkers and quantitative pharmacology to enable rapid data-driven decision-making
- Ensure alignment of translational strategies with overall program and portfolio objectives including development pathways target product profiles and regulatory strategies
- Lead translational input into governance ensuring rigorous data-driven go/no-go decisions across the pipeline
Organizational & Scientific Leadership
- Lead and unify a high-performing multidisciplinary translational organization connecting scientific clinical and quantitative capabilities into a cohesive highly integrated model
- Serve as a senior leader and thought partner across Research and Development influencing strategy prioritization and execution
- Represent Modernas translational strategy externally engaging regulators scientific leaders and partners to shape scientific direction and advance best-in-class approaches across the portfolio
Translational Medicine
- Lead execution of early clinical translational plans including biomarker implementation endpoint operationalization and data interpretation to enable clear proof-of-concept decisions
- Partner with clinical development to translate scientific hypotheses into actionable clinical strategies and high-quality study execution
- Define and validate novel endpoints and patient stratification approaches to enable early decision-making and differentiation
- Serve as a senior clinical leader in internal and external settings including study teams governance and interactions with investigators and key opinion leaders
Translational Research
- Build and advance differentiated translational capabilities (e.g. molecular assays sequencing immune monitoring CDx) to enable patient selection and mechanistic insight
- Oversee generation and delivery of stage-appropriate translational data packages to support IND readiness and early clinical development
- Drive forward and reverse translation ensuring clinical insights inform discovery platform innovation and next-generation therapeutics
- Lead development of patient identification pharmacodynamic and disease monitoring strategies to support clinical entry and advancement
Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacometrics
- Drive quantitative integration of PK/PD exposure-response and modeling & simulation into program-level decision-making and trial design
- Lead pharmacology contributions to regulatory strategy including authorship and defense of clinical pharmacology components in health authority interactions
- Ensure innovative application of pharmacometrics to dose prediction first-in-human studies and lifecycle optimization across the pipeline
- Represent clinical pharmacology in governance and partner cross-functionally to inform critical dose and development decisions across programs
Heres What Youll Need (Minimum Qualifications):
- Advanced degree (PhD MD PharmD or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline
- 15 years of experience across translational science clinical pharmacology and/or drug development with at least 10 years in a leadership role
- Deep expertise spanning translational medicine biomarker strategy experimental medicine and quantitative pharmacology
- Demonstrated ability to develop scientific hypotheses on human disease and translate this between the clinic and the laboratory
- Demonstrated success influencing development strategy including dose selection study design and regulatory interactions
- Strong understanding of the end-to-end drug development process from discovery through commercialization
- Strong publication record and ability to represent Moderna externally to scientific community
- Proven ability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and operate effectively in a complex matrix environment.
- Experience mentor hiring and growing talented scientists
- Track record of driving innovation and delivering measurable impact across a portfolio
- Exceptional communication and influencing skills with the ability to translate complex science into strategic decisions
Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications):
- Experience with companion diagnostics
- Leadership roles contributing to BLAs for oncology or immunology programs
- Deep expertise in immunology oncology and autoimmune disease
- Network of external academic experts
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. Only U.S. persons (U.S. citizens U.S. lawful permanent residents asylees or refugees) are currently eligible to access such information without an export license. Candidates who do not meet these criteria may still be considered contingent on the companys ability to obtain any required export control license. #LI-AG2-
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.