Research Associate, Infectious Disease Virology
Moderna, Cambridge, MA, United States
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 workstreams and critical timelines.
Here’s What You’ll Do
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.
Basic Qualifications
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.
Preferred Qualifications
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.
Pay & Benefits Pay range: $63,200 – $100,900. Salary is determined by competencies, qualifications, and other factors. Eligible for discretionary bonus, equity, and additional incentive compensation.
Best‑in‑class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs.
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.
Location‑specific perks and extras.
Equal Opportunities 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. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!
Accommodations We’re 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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
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 applicant’s 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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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 workstreams and critical timelines.
Here’s What You’ll Do
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.
Basic Qualifications
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.
Preferred Qualifications
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.
Pay & Benefits Pay range: $63,200 – $100,900. Salary is determined by competencies, qualifications, and other factors. Eligible for discretionary bonus, equity, and additional incentive compensation.
Best‑in‑class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs.
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.
Location‑specific perks and extras.
Equal Opportunities 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. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day, please apply!
Accommodations We’re 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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com.
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 applicant’s 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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