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 acce