Director, Shared Antigen Vaccine Research Lead

The Role
Moderna is dedicated to maximizing the impact of our platform on human health and is expanding off-the-shelf (OTS) cancer vaccine discovery and development efforts to provide impactful new drugs to cancer patients.
As a complement to our Individualized Neoantigen Therapy programs, Moderna is seeking a talented and motivated Director with experience in immune oncology discovery and drug development to move novel shared tumor antigen vaccines from concept to the clinic.
The successful candidate will serve as a Research Lead for Shared Tumor Antigen vaccine discovery and development, from target selection to generation of IND-enabling proof-of-biology data sets. This position will oversee a team of experimental scientists, as well as work collaboratively within the Cancer Vaccine Research team and cross functionally with the other critical groups that enable bringing new medicines to cancer patients.
Here’s What You’ll Do

• Serve as Research Lead for the next wave of Shared Tumor Antigen therapeutic vaccine programs.
• Work cross-functionally with teams across Moderna (Strategy, Research, Manufacturing/Technical Development, Regulatory, and Clinical) to conceive of shared antigen-targeting vaccine concepts and accelerate their pre-clinical development.
• Lead an experimental team of scientists to orchestrate the design and execution of pre-clinical tests that contribute to IND filings and support new programs.
• Advance discovery work flows for new Shared Antigen vaccine programs.
• Manage program deliverables and timelines, and coordinate cross-functional teams to efficiently generate IND-enabling data sets.
• Lead and mentor a team of scientists, developing both managers and individual contributors.
• Present team findings at internal and external meetings in the form of scientific abstracts, posters, presentations, or manuscripts.
• Liaise and collaborate with internal and external research groups.
• Career development opportunity to grow into a Cancer Vaccine Research Program Lead.
  

Here’s What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications)

• PhD in biology, immunology, virology, or related areas of study.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of immune oncology discovery/drug development experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
  

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Required Qualifications)

• A record of innovation and research accomplishments in translating cancer therapeutics from preclinical to clinic setting.
• Familiarity with classes of shared tumor antigens and fluency in methods to identify, validate, and functionally test targeting them with nucleic acid vaccines.
• Extensive knowledge of cancer vaccine biology, murine tumor models, and immunological assays (human and non-human).
• Strong management experience including a history of developing reports at various levels.
• Familiarity with emergent and current standards of care to help define treatment settings, rational combinations, including with cancer vaccines to interrogate pre-clinically.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional matrixed environment.
• Manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work and meet tight timelines.
• Demonstrate innovative approaches to drug development challenges.
• Demonstrate scientific versatility and flexibility.
• Have strong organizational skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Applicants should be highly collaborative team players, excellent communicators and have a demonstrable track record of research accomplishments.
• Respectful and inclusive attitude for your colleagues/team members, in addition to your exemplary collaborative nature, boldness, creativity, curiosity and relentlessness.
• A desire to make an impact on human health as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.
  

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience discovering and developing mRNA-based cancer therapeutics from ideation to First in Human.
  

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!
  

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 modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities.
Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.
Moderna 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 proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.
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 an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Belonging, Inclusion, and Diversity are critical to the success of our company and our impact on society. We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees and believe that by cultivating diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we can provide an environment where every employee is able to 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 make a request to the Talent Acquisition Partner or contact the Accommodations team at leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com. (EEO/AAP Employer)
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