Principal Scientist, Protein Design

The Role ================

Moderna is seeking an individual to provide technical leadership for in vitro selection and cell-surface screening of viral and bacterial antigens. This role will lead the design, execution, and continuous advancement of high-throughput mammalian cell-based screening platforms that interrogate broadly applicable design principles for glycoprotein antigens, enabling antigen optimization, improved expression and durability across multiple programs, and rapid maturation of computationally designed candidates.

Responsibilities ----------------

### Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership through direct involvement in the design and execution of complex in vitro selection campaigns
• Set experimental strategy and partner closely with computational protein design teams to ensure designs are evaluated and refined at scale

### Antigen-Focused Efforts

• Design and run high-throughput mammalian display campaigns for complex, multimeric glycoproteins
• Build and deploy scalable screening systems that replace resource-intensive plate-based assays
• Develop and operationalize advanced in vitro selection and directed-evolution capabilities, including novel selection pressures and expanded mammalian display modalities

### Collaboration and Mentorship

• Serve as a key experimental partner to computational protein design teams, generating high-quality datasets and actionable design feedback
• Provide technical mentorship and scientific guidance to other scientists
• Represent in vitro selection capabilities in cross-functional discovery and platform discussions
• Mentor and technically guide junior scientists to elevate overall design quality

Requirements ------------

### Basic Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of post-PhD industry or equivalent experience leading in vitro selection, mammalian cell-surface display, or directed-evolution efforts
• Demonstrated ability to drive complex screening campaigns end-to-end
• Deep expertise in mammalian display systems, high-throughput selection strategies, and experimental assay design
• Strong working knowledge of computational, structure-based, or AI-driven protein design workflows
• Scientific independence, judgment, and ownership consistent with a Principal Scientist role

### Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise with glycoprotein antigen expression and engineering (e.g., strategies around folding, trafficking, cleavage, stability, and glycan impacts)
• Strong capabilities in library design and construction (site-saturation, combinatorial, error-prone, DNA assembly), plus NGS-based readouts and quantitative enrichment analysis
• Desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

Benefits ----------

### Pay and Benefits

• Salary range: $142,500.00 - $256,500.00
• Annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance
• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support unique needs
• 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 plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

About Moderna -------------

### Our Mission

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.

### Our Culture

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.

### Recognition

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.

Join Us --------

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.

Working Model -------------

### Our In-Person Culture

Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship.

### Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a persons 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.

### Accommodations

Were 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.

### 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 applicants 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.