{"id":1510735,"url":"https://alion.io/job/moderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design","title":"Sr. Research Associate, Protein Design","company":{"id":5847,"name":"Moderna","domain":"modernatx.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/modernatx","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":90,"open_postings":12,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.417,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":55,"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cambridge, United States","United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":74000,"max":118400,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":118400},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":4,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Cell Culture","optional":false},{"name":"Chromatography","optional":false},{"name":"Flow Cytometry","optional":false},{"name":"Western Blot","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-29T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-29","last_verified_at":"2026-11-06T02:14:49Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":38,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":38},"description":"The Role\nModerna is seeking a Senior Research Associate to join the Protein Design team at its Cambridge, MA site. This role will support protein expression, purification, and biophysical characterization efforts for Infectious Disease Research vaccine and therapeutic programs. The successful candidate will contribute to the discovery and development of vaccine antigens and therapeutic proteins by leveraging expertise in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and analytical characterization.\nThe candidate will be responsible for executing protein production workflows in both mammalian and bacterial (E. coli) expression systems, optimizing purification processes, and applying a broad range of biochemical and biophysical techniques to evaluate protein quality, stability, and function. This role requires strong technical expertise, attention to detail, scientific curiosity, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams to advance multiple research programs in a fast-paced and highly innovative environment.\nThis is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge vaccine and therapeutic development while generating high-quality experimental data that enables critical program decisions.\nHere’s What You’ll Do\nExecute and optimize recombinant protein expression workflows in mammalian and bacterial (E. coli) expression systems.\nPerform transient mammalian cell culture and transfection for protein production.\nConduct recombinant protein purification using chromatography-based methods including affinity, ion exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography utilizing FPLC systems.\nSupport development and optimization of expression, purification, and formulation conditions for challenging proteins and complex antigens.\nCharacterize proteins using biochemical and biophysical techniques including SDS-PAGE, western blotting, SEC-MALS, DSC, DSF, BLI, Mass Photometry, and flow cytometry-based approaches.\nEvaluate protein purity, stability, oligomeric state, aggregation, and biomolecular interactions to support candidate assessment and advancement.\nAnalyze, interpret, and summarize experimental data and communicate findings through presentations, technical reports, and project team discussions.\nDevelop and implement AI-assisted workflows for high-throughput protein screening and characterization.\nLeverage AI to accelerate analysis of protein screening datasets and identify high-performing candidates.\nCollaborate closely with scientists and cross-functional teams to support project goals, timelines, and deliverables.\nIdentify technical challenges and troubleshoot protein expression, purification, and characterization workflows.\nSupport implementation and evaluation of new protein production and characterization technologies to improve workflow efficiency.\nMaintain accurate experimental records and support inventory management, reagent tracking, and logistics coordination for partnered programs.\nHere’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)\nBachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Protein Engineering, Chemical Biology, or a related scientific discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience.\nHands-on experience with recombinant protein expression in both mammalian and bacterial (E. coli) systems.\nHere’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)\nBachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science, Protein Engineering, Chemical Biology, or a related scientific discipline with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience.\nExperience with protein purification workflows and operation of FPLC systems.\nExperience with biochemical and biophysical characterization methods including SDS-PAGE, western blotting, SEC-MALS, DSC, DSF, BLI, Mass Photometry, or related techniques.\nDemonstrated ability to troubleshoot and optimize protein expression, purification, and characterization workflows.\nExperience analyzing protein quality, stability, aggregation, and biomolecular interactions.\nStrong quantitative data analysis and scientific problem-solving skills with attention to detail.\nAbility to manage multiple experiments and priorities in a collaborative, cross-functional research environment.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nA desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.\nOur Working Model\nAs we build our company, we have always believed that an in-person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site-based operations.\nWorking onsite enables real-time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands-on partnership needed to deliver our mission. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.\nModerna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free, and drug-free work environment.\nPay & Benefits\nAt Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.That’s why our benefits and well-being resources are designed to support you-at work, at home, and everywhere in between.\nCompetitive healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs\nA holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support\nFamily planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support\nGenerous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown\nSavings and investments to help you plan for the future\nLocation-specific perks and extras\nThe salary range for this role is $74,000.00 - $118,400.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.\n\nThe successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.\nAbout Moderna\nSince 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.\nBy 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.\nWe 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.\nIf 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.\nEqual Opportunities\nModerna 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!\nModerna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.\nAccommodations\nWe’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.\nModerna 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 .\nExport Control Notice\nThis 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.\n\n-","description_format":"text","description_chars":9393,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":4,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Prescription Drugs","Vaccines","Infectious Disease Therapeutics"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-30T07:53:22Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 101 · green card filings: 27","filings_12m":101,"filings_prev_12m":150,"green_card_filings_12m":27,"median_offered_wage_usd":146797,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-29T16:27:21+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":78,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.87,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":37,"expected_fill_days":55,"reasons":["conf:8","velocity","win:mid","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-05T05:54:30Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":118400,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/moderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/moderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-06T02:30:07Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":4220,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-07T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":5847},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=5847"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fmoderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fmoderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fmoderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/moderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fmoderna-inc-sr-research-associate-protein-design"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":1510735}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"modernatx.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":1510735},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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