Principal Scientist, Antibody Discovery and Engineering

The Role

Moderna is seeking an accomplished and highly motivated Principal Scientist to join the Antibody Discovery team within Therapeutics Research. Therapeutics Research generates innovative therapeutic concepts and advances them from early scientific idea through First-in-Human studies. The Antibody Discovery team plays a central role in discovering engineering and optimizing antibody-based therapeutic molecules that enable new treatment strategies across Modernas therapeutic pipeline.

This Principal Scientist will lead integrated antibody discovery and engineering campaigns across oncology and autoimmune disease programs. The role spans concept development through lead identification including biological and therapeutic-area research target and antigen strategy immunization and B cell discovery campaign design antibody screening sequence analysis engineering characterization and optimization.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in therapeutic antibody discovery antibody engineering immune repertoire mining display technologies and molecular-format optimization. This individual will operate with a high degree of independence scientific judgment and cross-functional influence while partnering with antigen design structural and computational biology Immuno-oncology and Autoimmune Therapeutics research leadership project teams and external CRO partners.

This is a hands-on scientific leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced innovative and highly collaborative environment. The Principal Scientist will help shape differentiated antibody-based therapeutics from early idea to therapeutic lead nomination strengthen discovery strategy and contribute to Modernas next-generation antibody capabilities.

Heres What Youll Do

• Lead integrated antibody discovery and engineering campaigns from early concept through lead identification optimization and nomination.
• Develop discovery strategies that incorporate target and antigen evaluation immunization design B cell screening display-based engineering sequence analysis and data-driven lead selection.
• Design execute and oversee antibody generation and optimization workflows including immunizations B cell discovery yeast or other display campaigns affinity maturation humanization format conversion expression purification and characterization.
• Engineer and evaluate antibodies across multiple therapeutic formats including IgG Fab scFv bispecific or multispecific antibodies T cell engagers TCR engagers CAR-T-related formats and other novel modalities.
• Characterize antibody candidates using biochemical biophysical and functional assays to assess binding affinity specificity epitope diversity developability potency and mechanism of action.
• Partner with antigen design structural biology computational biology and project teams to move programs efficiently from scientific concept to actionable lead molecules.
• Analyze complex datasets identify scientific and technical risks and develop practical mitigation strategies that guide program decisions.
• Monitor emerging antibody discovery and engineering technologies and translate relevant advances into ideas that strengthen Modernas therapeutic discovery capabilities.
• Prepare clear technical reports project plans and presentations for internal teams collaborators governance forums and leadership.
• Lead cross-functional scientific discussions manage external partners and mentor scientists or research associates as appropriate.

Heres What Youll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• PhD in immunology molecular biology biochemistry protein engineering cancer biology or a related discipline with 5 years of relevant post-PhD industry experience in antibody discovery antibody engineering or biologics discovery.
• Demonstrated track record independently leading therapeutic antibody discovery campaigns from concept through lead identification optimization or nomination.
• Deep technical expertise in antibody biology antibody structure and function discovery platforms and therapeutic antibody optimization.
• Hands-on experience with immunization-based antibody discovery including antigen design immunization strategy B cell screening single-cell sorting B cell culturing antibody sequence recovery and NGS-informed repertoire analysis.
• Strong expertise in display technologies for antibody engineering affinity maturation specificity optimization developability improvement and molecular-format optimization.
• Strong molecular biology and antibody engineering skills including cloning library construction sequence analysis expression construct design antibody expression purification and analytical characterization.
• Expertise in antibody characterization assays and platforms including affinity determination epitope binning competition assays specificity profiling developability assessment Biacore Carterra Octet ELISA MSD multi-parameter flow cytometry or related technologies.
• Experience developing executing and troubleshooting functional cell-based assays relevant to therapeutic antibody discovery.
• Proven ability to design manage and critically evaluate outsourced antibody discovery engineering and characterization workflows at CROs.
• Strong project leadership skills including the ability to manage multiple programs timelines stakeholders datasets and external partnerships simultaneously.
• Excellent analytical organizational written oral and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to translate complex scientific issues into clear recommendations.
• Collaborative proactive resourceful approach to working in a fast-paced cross-functional matrixed research environment.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• PhD in relevant discipline and 7 years of hands on antibody discovery and engineering including prior experience with yeast or mammalian display technologies for antibody discovery and optimization.
• Experience with advanced antibody-based therapeutic formats such as T cell engagers TCR engagers bispecific or multispecific antibodies ADCs CAR-T or CAR-NK-related approaches.
• Familiarity with immune-cell biology primary-cell assays functional immunology assays or immune-cell redirecting therapeutic mechanisms.
• Experience applying antibody discovery or engineering approaches across oncology autoimmune infectious disease or other therapeutically relevant areas.
• Familiarity with antibody sequence analysis bioinformatics structural modeling AI/ML-enabled discovery tools or developability prediction platforms.
• Track record of scientific impact through publications patents presentations therapeutic discovery programs or implementation of new discovery technologies.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists leading project teams or influencing cross-functional scientific strategy.
• 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 benefits and well-being resources are designed to support youat work at home and everywhere in between.

• Competitive healthcare 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 investments to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $142500.00 - $256500.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individuals position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills performance and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus other incentive compensation or equity award subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

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

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