Co-Op, Immuno-Assays and CBA
Moderna
Summary
This co-op is based in Norwood, MA and will support the Clinical Biomarker Laboratory (CBL) Immunoassay group during the 2027 program period. Candidates should be available for the full duration of the applicable co-op assignment. The co-op will work alongside CBL scientists to gain hands-on experience with immunoassay development and laboratory practices supporting biomarker and immunogenicity testing for Moderna clinical programs, including infectious disease, oncology, and autoimmune disease. The role will primarily provide exposure to ligand-binding assays (LBAs), including Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) singleplex and multiplex assay formats. Depending on project needs, the co-op may also gain exposure to functional antibody assays such as virus neutralization or hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays. Activities will be performed under the guidance of experienced scientists in a regulated clinical bioanalytical laboratory environment.
Job description
Here’s What You’ll Do
- Partner with experienced CBL scientists to learn and apply core immunoassay laboratory techniques.
- Complete required training and follow all laboratory safety, quality, and compliance requirements.
- Assist with preparation of reagents, buffers, standards, controls, and samples for laboratory experiments.
- Support ligand-binding assay development and optimization experiments, with emphasis on MSD-based immunoassays.
- Assist with data collection, basic analysis, and organization of experimental results using established laboratory and scientific software.
- Maintain accurate and contemporaneous laboratory records and learn Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and data integrity expectations.
- Support general laboratory activities such as reagent inventory, equipment readiness, and laboratory organization.
- Contribute to special projects, assay automation, or continuous improvement activities as assigned.
- Participate in team discussions, summarize experimental findings, and contribute to project updates or a final co-op presentation.
Here’s What You’ll Need (Minimum Qualifications)
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
- Foundational laboratory experience from academic coursework, research, or prior internship/co-op activities.
- Basic understanding of biology, immunology, biochemistry, or analytical laboratory principles.
- Ability to follow written procedures, maintain organized records, and work safely in a laboratory environment.
At Moderna, we are focused on delivering on our mission by enabling talent to thrive. For this role, we are currently unable to offer immigration sponsorship. Candidates must already hold work authorization in the US and be able to maintain that status without the need for future sponsorship.
Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)
- GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent academic achievement.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- High attention to detail, willingness to learn in a regulated laboratory environment, and commitment to quality and compliance.
- Interest in immunoassays, biomarker analysis, mRNA vaccine and therapeutic research, or clinical bioanalysis.
- Prior exposure to ELISA, MSD, cell-based assays, cell culture, or other immunological/biochemical laboratory techniques is a plus but not required.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; exposure to scientific data-analysis software is a plus.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Biology, Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline.
- Foundational laboratory experience from academic coursework, research, or prior internship/co-op activities.
- Basic understanding of biology, immunology, biochemistry, or analytical laboratory principles.
- Ability to follow written procedures, maintain organized records, and work safely in a laboratory environment.
- Must already hold work authorization in the US and be able to maintain that status without the need for future sponsorship.
Benefits
- Meditation and mindfulness classes
- Subsidized commuter benefits
- Paid time off
- Vacation
- Sick time
- Holidays
- Volunteer days
- Year-end shutdown
- Location-specific perks
Company overview
Moderna, Inc. is a pioneering American biotechnology and pharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that has revolutionized the field of medicine through its groundbreaking messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Founded in 2010, the company has established itself as a global leader in RNA therapeutics, primarily focusing on mRNA vaccines and treatments. Moderna's innovative platform uses mRNA to provide cellular instructions for producing proteins that trigger immune responses, creating a new category of medicines with significant potential to improve patient outcomes across various therapeutic areas. The company gained worldwide recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for developing one of the earliest and most effective mRNA vaccines, which demonstrated the transformative potential of its technology platform. Beyond infectious diseases, Moderna is advancing a diverse pipeline of 44 treatment and vaccine candidates across infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune conditions. With approximately 5,800 employees and a strong commitment to scientific innovation, Moderna continues to expand its manufacturing capabilities and research initiatives to deliver the greatest possible impact through mRNA medicines.