Principal Research Associate, Protein Design

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented candidate to join our team and support Moderna’s early research and development pipeline. In this role, you will contribute directly to the discovery and advancement of next‑generation biologics by applying innovative, high‑throughput screening technologies in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the cutting edge of functional genomics and cell engineering, helping to identify and validate lead therapeutic candidates across multiple disease areas.

The successful candidate will play a central role in developing, optimizing, and deploying advanced lentiviral‑based screening platforms across diverse biological systems. You will work at the interface of molecular biology, genomics, computational design, and translational discovery, partnering closely with scientists and cross‑functional teams to translate screening insights into impactful therapeutic programs.

• Design, execute, and analyze experiments independently, with guidance from scientists as needed.
• Critically evaluate data, document observations, troubleshoot experiments, and maintain thorough records in an electronic lab notebook.
• Communicate experimental results, insights, and challenges effectively during team meetings and cross‑functional discussions.
• Maintain and expand primary human cell cultures and cancer cell lines.
• Generate engineered cell lines through transient transfection, stable transduction, selection, and validation.
• Perform core cell and molecular biology techniques, including PCR, molecular cloning, flow cytometry, and Western blotting.
• Produce and titer lentiviral vectors to support screening workflows.
• Optimize and execute pooled lentiviral screening workflows to enable massively parallel screening of diverse biologics.

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience or Master’s degree with 2+ years of experience in Biology, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Site‑based role requiring full‑time presence at a Moderna location; remote work is not eligible.

• 3–5 years of relevant experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.

• Best‑in‑class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs.
• A 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 you plan for the future.
• Location‑specific perks and extras.

Salary range: $89,900.00 – $. The 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.

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. 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. 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. If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine, we invite you to visit  to learn more about our current opportunities.

As we build our company, we have always believed an in‑person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in‑office collaboration by embracing…