Sr. Research Associate, Immunology

Job Summary

Moderna is seeking a talented, experienced, and motivated individual to join the Infectious Disease Research Immunology and Antibody Discovery team. The candidate will be part of a team advancing vaccine and therapeutic candidates from key preclinical through IND‑enabling studies and will further support translational decisions across multiple programs. This role focuses on the design, execution, and optimization of antibody binding and functional serological assays to characterize humoral immune responses across preclinical models and clinical samples.

The candidate will contribute to assay development across platforms such as ELISA, Luminex, MSD, and Octet, and support epitope mapping and antibody characterization efforts in collaboration with cross‑functional teams. The successful candidate will generate high-quality data, analyze and interpret experimental results to inform vaccine and therapeutic strategies, contribute to the development of novel immunological assays, and support the evaluation of immune responses to mRNA‑based interventions.

• Execute and optimize antibody binding assays across platforms including ELISA, Luminex, MSD, and Octet.
• Design, develop, and perform competitive and capture ELISAs.
• Perform functional serological assays, including blockade and enzyme inhibition assays.
• Conduct epitope‑specific enrichment and depletion studies to characterize humoral immune responses.
• Maintain mammalian cell cultures and develop and execute cell‑based assays.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data using tools such as Graph Pad Prism.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records in electronic lab notebooks and contribute to SOP development.
• Prepare clear, data‑driven presentations and reports and present findings at team meetings.
• Manage multiple experiments and projects concurrently, collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Support automation of routine assays and implement AI‑enabled workflows where applicable.
• Evaluate scientific literature to inform assay development and identify emerging technologies in infectious disease research.

• Bachelor’s degree with expertise in immunology, microbiology, vaccinology, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience with ligand‑binding assays and a strong understanding of designing and executing assays with increasing independence.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to evolving scientific and programmatic needs.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to data quality and reproducibility.
• Site‑based role requiring full‑time presence at Moderna’s site (no remote work).
• Must already hold U.S. work authorization without need for future sponsorship.

• Ability to work across pathogen types (bacteria, viruses, parasites).
• Ability to work in a cross‑functional work environment.
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to influence and collaborate in a team environment.
• Curiosity to explore new paths for drug discovery and boldness in proposing creative experimental designs and ideas.
• Willingness to work collaboratively with multifunctional teams and relentless pursuit of successful outcomes.

• Salary range: $74,000.00 – $.
• Annual discretionary bonus, incentive compensation, or equity award subject to company plan eligibility and individual performance.
• Best‑in‑class healthcare coverage.
• Voluntary benefit programs: fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support.
• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support.
• Generous paid time off: vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and discretionary year‑end shutdown.
• Savings and investment opportunities to help plan for the future.

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's 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 law. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow.

Moderna is an E‑Verify employer in the United States.