Job description

The Role:
As part of our vision, Moderna is committed to invest in R&D to further expand our impact on patients. We are building an independent research and business unit for genomic medicines, called Moderna Genomics (mGx) based in Technology Square, Cambridge, MA. mGx will be an innovation engine for the company focused on discovering and delivering the next generation of in vivo gene editing and nonviral gene therapies. It is our intention to be an industry leader in genomic medicines.

Moderna Genomics has an exciting opening for a discovery research leader to engineer, innovate and optimize novel gene-editing systems at mGx. The Director will work as a critical member of the mGx leadership team to establish Moderna as a leader in in-vivo gene editing therapeutics. She/he/they will work with the VP of Gene Editing Innovation and GM of Moderna Genomics to build and develop a world-class team of scientists to engineer, design, and evolve novel gene editing proteins and RNA-based systems. The candidate will also collaborate with the broader mGx team on translational development of these systems leveraging Moderna’s scalable mRNA and non-viral delivery platforms.

The candidate will have a strong background in one or more of the following areas: protein engineering, high-throughput assay, rational and AI-assisted protein design including directed evolution, and development of gene-editing systems. In addition, a proven record of creative thinking and leadership of innovative programs is required. The leader will drive research and discovery programs through critical go/no-go decisions, and directly build and manage a discovery research team. The Director will be a leader in shaping gene editing strategy internally at mGx. This is an exciting and fast-paced position that will lead to new patents, journal publications, and scientific presentations to internal and external groups. Most importantly these new technology developments will used to create the next generation in vivo RNA based genomic medicines.

Here’s What You’ll Do:
Work with the Head of Gene Editing Innovation to build, lead, and develop a team to develop, improve, and optimize one or more novel gene editing technologies

Lead protein engineering scientists in the team to develop lead candidate gene-editing system as the best-in-class gene-editor for precision gene therapy

Collaborate with Quantitative Biology and Data Science teams on design strategies for AI-assisted protein design and modeling/engineering

Lead effort to identify improved gene editing constructs through directed evolution and automated high throughput screens

Collaborate with Translational team at mGx to initiate clinical development of lead candidate system for in vivo gene therapy

Communicate results clearly and concisely to the broader mGx team

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table:
PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering, or equivalent field

Extensive experience in enzyme/protein engineering in an academic or industrial environment

Proven track record of design and development of high throughput assays and directed evolution strategies for characterizing and improving protein function

Extensive experience in protein structure, biochemical techniques, and enzyme activity assays

Conversant in computationally-informed protein design

Demonstrated proficiency in people management including building, leading, and developing direct reports

Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Strong desire to work on early-stage technology development, implementing creative thinking to build mGx’s genome-editing toolkit and patent portfolio

Additional positives:
Experience with gene editing system technology development

Experience with Design of Experiment (DoE) methodologies

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 winter shut down
• 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!

Candidates should be aware that Moderna currently maintains a policy requiring all US-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster shot once eligible . Newly hired employees must be vaccinated and boosted prior to their employment start date. Moderna is an equal opportunity employer and will provide a reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated or receive a booster where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.

About Moderna
In over 10 years since its inception, Moderna has transformed from a research-stage company advancing programs in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA), to an enterprise with a diverse clinical portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics across seven modalities, a broad intellectual property portfolio in areas including mRNA and lipid nanoparticle formulation, and an integrated manufacturing plant that allows for rapid clinical and commercial production at scale. Moderna maintains alliances with a broad range of domestic and overseas government and commercial collaborators, which has allowed for the pursuit of both groundbreaking science and rapid scaling of manufacturing. Most recently, Moderna's capabilities have come together to allow the authorized use and approval of one of the earliest and most effective vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderna's mRNA platform builds on continuous advances in basic and applied mRNA science, delivery technology and manufacturing, and has allowed the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Moderna has been named a top biopharmaceutical employer by Science for the past seven years. To learn more, visit www.modernatx.com .

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. #LI-JL2
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