Research Associate, Biotherapeutics

The Role:

Modernas Biotherapeutics group is seeking a highly motivated individual to execute early discovery of novel antibodies and protein engineering of biotherapeutics for encoding into Modernas mRNA technology platform.The individual will support exploratory programs against a variety of therapeutic targets, using in vitro and ex vivo analytical methods to evaluate immune modulation.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated capacity to function in a fast-paced laboratory environment with cross-functional teams.

Heres What Youll Do:

• Execute experiments in the lab to discover and characterize novel antibodies in support of programs in the Biotherapeutics group.

• Learn the multiple antibody discovery platforms in house including B cell culture and yeast display etc, assist and execute the FACS based sorting and screening.

• Execute basic molecular biology, RNA extraction, RT-PCR, PCR and qPCR; understand expression vector design.

• Culture mammalian cells and performin vitrocell transfection or transduction.

• Perform in vitro immune functional assays to characterize therapeutic cell lines and engineered proteins for example: FACS, cytotoxicity, cell proliferation and cytokine release assays.

• Express, purify and characterize proteins using mammalian expression systems.

• Determine protein binding affinities using techniques such as FACS, OCTET and Biacore.

• Assist researchers with in vivo experiments and ex vivo assay development (Cell culture, ELISA, Western Blot, qPCR, etc.)

• Work with automated assay systems.

• General laboratory responsibilities including lab equipment maintenance, preparation of reagents, and the ordering and receiving of lab supplies.

• Closely collaborate with research group members both within and outside the company in support of therapeutic programs.

• Follow standard scientific techniques and methods to perform experiments at the bench: Molecular Biology (DNA manipulation such as PCR, cloning etc.), Cell Biology (mammalian cell culture, gene transfection and expression), Small scale protein purification and characterization and SDS-PAGE,

• ELISA, Western blot, and biosensor (Octet, Biacore) assays.

• Write protocols, maintain notebook with detailed account of experiments. Prepare the rational, experimental detail, results and conclusions from executed experiments for presentation in group meetings and/or as a scientific poster.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications):

• BS/MS with experience in biology, biochemistry, or other related discipline.

• Hands-on lab experience with the following:

  • Mammalian cell culture (cell lines and primary cells).

  • Design binding experiments using FACS, ELISA, OCTET, and/or Biacore

  • Design and execute standard Immunological techniques: ELISA, FACS and Western blot etc.

• Capable of designing and execute a variety of protein characterization assays (SDS-PAGE, HPLC-SEC, FPLC etc).

• Experience with operation of cell based FACS sorting.

• Ability to execute general molecular biology techniques, RNA extraction, RT-PCR and PCR, transiently transfect and express proteins in 293 cells.

• Isolation primary immune cells and perform phenotyping or biofunctional assay of human primary immune cells.

• Ability to write protocols and analyze data.

• Strong communication skills and interest in doing lab work, and the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.

Desirable Skills:

• Cell Biology (mammalian cell culture, gene transfection and expression)

• General Immunological technique (ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Western blot etc.)

• Small scale protein purification and characterization (SDS-PAGE, HPLC and biosensor such as Octet, Biacore etc.)

• Molecular Biology (DNA manipulation such as PCR, cloning etc.)

Moderna is pleased to provide you and your family with a comprehensive and innovative suite of benefits, including:

• Highly competitive and inclusive medical, dental and vision coverage options
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
• Lifestyle Spending Account funds to help you engage in personal enrichment and self-care activities
• Family care benefits, including subsidized back-up care options and on-demand tutoring
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
• Exclusive preferred pricing on Peloton fitness equipment
• Adoption and family-planning benefits
• Dedicated care coordination support for our LGBTQ+ community
• Generous paid time off, including:
  Vacation, sick time and holidays
  Volunteer time to participate within your community
  Discretionary year-end shutdown
  Paid sabbatical after 5 years; every 3 years thereafter
• Generous Paid Leave offerings, including 18 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for all new parents
• 401k match and Financial Planning tools
• Moderna-paid Life, LTD and STD insurance coverages, as well as voluntary benefit options
• Complimentary concierge service including home services research, travel booking, and entertainment requests
• Free parking or subsidized commuter passes
• Location-specific perks and extras!

Candidates should be aware that Moderna currently maintains a policy requiring all US-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster shot once eligible. Newly hired employees must be vaccinated and boosted prior to their employment start date. Moderna is an equal opportunity employer and will provide a reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated or receive a booster where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.

About Moderna

In over 10 years since its inception, Moderna has transformed from a research-stage company advancing programs in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA), to an enterprise with a diverse clinical portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics across seven modalities, a broad intellectual property portfolio in areas including mRNA and lipid nanoparticle formulation, and an integrated manufacturing plant that allows for rapid clinical and commercial production at scale. Moderna maintains alliances with a broad range of domestic and overseas government and commercial collaborators, which has allowed for the pursuit of both groundbreaking science and rapid scaling of manufacturing. Most recently, Moderna's capabilities have come together to allow the authorized use and approval of one of the earliest and most effective vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderna's mRNA platform builds on continuous advances in basic and applied mRNA science, delivery technology and manufacturing, and has allowed the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Moderna has been named a top biopharmaceutical employer by Science for the past seven years. To learn more, visit www.modernatx.com.

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a persons race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

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