Research Associate, Infectious Disease Virology

Overview

The Role Moderna is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to join the Infectious Disease Virology team. This role will support the development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics by executing virology assays that enable key preclinical and translational decisions across multiple programs. The successful candidate will contribute to the generation of high-quality, decision-enabling data through the execution of cell-based and virological assays, working in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.

This role requires strong experimental rigor, adaptability to evolving program needs, and a commitment to delivering data with speed and integrity. This position will interface closely with scientists across research, translational, and clinical teams to support parallel work streams and critical timelines.

• Culture and maintain mammalian cell lines and primary cells to support virology assays
• Execute virological assays, including virus neutralization and infectivity-based readouts, with high precision and reproducibility
• Perform assay quality control and ensure data integrity to support program decision-making
• Analyze, summarize, and clearly communicate experimental results to team members
• Maintain accurate and well-organized electronic laboratory notebooks in accordance with internal standards
• Support reagent preparation, sample tracking, and inventory management
• Contribute to optimization and scaling of assays (e.g., throughput improvements, workflow efficiency)
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver data across multiple concurrent programs under aggressive timelines

• B.S. in virology, immunology, cell biology, or a related discipline with 0–2 years of relevant experience (industry or academic)
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and sterile technique is required
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to data quality and reproducibility
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and adapt to evolving scientific and programmatic needs
• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.

• Experience with virology techniques such as virus propagation, viral infectivity assays, or neutralization assays
• Familiarity with molecular and cellular assays (e.g., PCR/qPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, western blotting)
• Experience working in a high-throughput or matrixed research environment

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at 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

The salary range for this role is $63,200.00 - $. 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 individual’s 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.

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the…