Sr. Scientist, Protein Design

The Role

Moderna is seeking a Senior Scientist to support the AI-enabled design of de novo antibodies binder and antigen modalities across diverse discovery programs. This is a hands-on highly technical role for an experienced protein designer who can build and operationalize agentic AI design frameworks and translate modern generative methods into validated binders and antigens. This position is strategically important to Modernas ability to initiate and execute multiple competitive binder programs in parallel. This role offers a rare opportunity to invent how AI-designed binders function in vivo as part of mRNA therapeutics: as stand-alone biologics targeting modules or components of next-generation multi-protein systems.

The Senior Scientist will work closely with and report to the Senior Director Computational Design and In Vitro Selection and will also work closely with the VP Protein Design as well as other members of Research to advance novel candidates to the clinic and establish Moderna as a leader in antibody and de novo binder design for in vivo delivery.

Heres What Youll Do

• Apply AI-enabled protein design workflows to generate and prioritize de novo antibodies and binder modalities or partial de novo design of antigens for experimental testing.
• Use structure prediction generative design sequence design docking scoring and developability analyses to create binder designs against diverse therapeutic targets.
• Help build and maintain AI protein design frameworks for binders including application of generative methods model training/inference workflows automated design creation scoring filtering and prioritization.
• Partner closely with experimental teams to interpret screening/selection/biophysical data and drive iterative design cycles that improve affinity specificity stability expression and developability.
• Contribute to the benchmarking and validation standards for new methods ensuring computational efforts are program-ready rather than exploratory.
• Develop and iteratively optimize multi-agent systems to accelerate and enhance AI computational design and to create closed-loop automated design-and-wet-lab-test systems.
• Contribute to cross-functional program and platform strategy discussions helping shape Modernas long-term approach to AI-enabled protein design.

Heres What Youll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• PhD in Biophysics Biochemistry Structural Biology Computational Biology or a related field.
• Extensive post-PhD experience consistent with a Senior Scientist-level role in computational protein design.
• Hands-on experience in computational protein design protein structural modeling applied machine learning or a closely related area.
• Strong publication and/or patent record demonstrating impact in protein design structural biology or applied machine learning.
• Experience with modern protein structure prediction and design tools such as RFdiffusion ProteinMPNN AlphaFold-family methods Rosetta protein language models or related generative approaches.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced cross-functional research environment.
• Strong critical-thinking troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience scaling workflows on HPC and/or cloud (distributed compute workflow orchestration containerization).
• 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 $130800.00 - $209400.00. 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.

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.

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