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Scientist, Analytical Development

Moderna

Norwood, MAOnsitePosted 24 days ago$109,200 - $174,600
Full TimeEntry LevelResearch & ScientistBiotechnology
Original posting ↗

Summary

In this role, you will develop, optimize, and implement separation-based analytical methods supporting clinical-stage and early-stage mRNA-based vaccines, therapeutics, and emerging modalities within Analytical Development. You will apply strong separation-science expertise across liquid chromatography (LC/UHPLC), LC-MS, capillary electrophoresis including CE-SDS, and other emerging analytical technologies to measure product quality attributes, resolve impurities and degradation products, and enable product and process development.

Job description

Here's What You'll Do

  • Design, develop, optimize, and execute separation-based analytical methods using LC/HPLC/UHPLC, LC-MS, capillary electrophoresis including CE-SDS, and other appropriate separation and detection technologies for early- and clinical-stage products.
  • Develop fit-for-purpose methods to assess relevant product quality attributes, including purity, identity, product- and process-related impurities, degradation products, and other attributes requiring separation-based analytical resolution.
  • Translate product and control-strategy needs into phase-appropriate method performance requirements, selecting appropriate separation modes, detection approaches, sample preparation strategies, and analytical controls for the intended use of the method.
  • Systematically optimize critical method parameters including column or capillary chemistry, mobile-phase composition, gradient conditions, temperature, sample preparation, instrument settings, detection, data processing, and integration to achieve robust analytical performance.
  • Apply risk-based development, structured experimentation, and Design of Experiments where appropriate to understand method robustness, identify critical sources of variability, and establish scientifically justified operating ranges and system-suitability controls.
  • Troubleshoot complex separation challenges and investigate unexpected analytical observations by integrating chromatographic, electrophoretic, mass-spectrometric, and orthogonal data to develop scientifically sound hypotheses and solutions.
  • Drive platform implementation by identifying opportunities to standardize and reuse analytical methods across related products and modalities, reduce unnecessary method proliferation, and establish scalable approaches that accelerate future program development.
  • Partner closely with Analytical Product Leads (APLs), Analytical Sciences, Product Characterization, Process Development, and other CMC partners to connect separation-method development with product understanding, process-development needs, and evolving analytical control strategies.
  • Collaborate with Analytical Technical Operations, Analytical Sciences & Technology (AST), and Quality Control to support method pre-qualification, technical transfer, qualification or validation, troubleshooting, and downstream implementation, designing methods from the outset with future routine use in mind.
  • Evaluate and apply emerging separation and detection technologies such as advanced column chemistries, high-resolution and hyphenated LC-MS workflows, next-generation electrophoretic approaches, multidimensional or high-throughput separations, automated sample preparation, and advanced data-analysis tools when they provide meaningful scientific or operational value.
  • Author and review analytical methods, protocols, development reports, technical summaries, and supporting documentation; maintain high-quality experimental records and communicate data, conclusions, risks, and recommendations clearly to technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

Here's What You'll Need (Basic Qualifications)

  • Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 0-2 years of relevant experience; or M.S. with 8+ years; or B.S./B.A. with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
  • Strong hands-on experience with separation-based analytical methods, including liquid chromatography and at least one additional relevant platform such as LC-MS or capillary electrophoresis, is required.

Here's What You'll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

  • Strong scientific foundation in separation science, including chromatographic and electrophoretic principles, selectivity, resolution, mass transfer, sample chemistry, and the practical factors that drive method performance and robustness.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience developing and optimizing LC/HPLC/UHPLC methods; experience with multiple separation modes such as reversed-phase, ion-pair, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, or other application-relevant chromatographic approaches is highly desirable.
  • Hands-on experience with capillary electrophoresis methods such as CE-SDS and/or related electrophoretic techniques, including method optimization, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
  • Experience with LC-MS or other hyphenated analytical technologies for method development, impurity identification, product characterization, or investigation support is strongly preferred.
  • Experience supporting analytical development for mRNA, nucleic acids, lipid nanoparticles, proteins, conjugates, vaccines, biologics, or other advanced therapeutic modalities is preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently plan and execute method-development experiments, interpret complex analytical data, troubleshoot technical issues, and make data-driven recommendations within defined scientific objectives.
  • Understanding of phase-appropriate analytical development and method lifecycle principles, including method development, robustness assessment, pre-qualification or qualification, technical transfer, validation, and continuous improvement.
  • Familiarity with science- and risk-based analytical development principles, including ICH Q14/Q2 concepts, analytical target profile or intended-use thinking, Design of Experiments, and establishment of appropriate method controls and system-suitability criteria.
  • Experience developing platform methods or implementing standardized analytical approaches across multiple products, programs, laboratories, or modalities is highly desirable.
  • Experience with chromatography data systems such as Empower or Chromeleon, mass-spectrometry data systems, automated data processing, or laboratory automation is a plus.
  • Strong scientific curiosity, written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across Analytical Development, Process Development, APL, AST, QC, and other multidisciplinary teams.
  • Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to manage multiple experimental priorities while maintaining scientific rigor, data integrity, laboratory safety, and high-quality documentation, and a desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 0-2 years of relevant experience; or M.S. with 8+ years; or B.S./B.A. with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
  • Strong hands-on experience with separation-based analytical methods, including liquid chromatography and at least one additional relevant platform such as LC-MS or capillary electrophoresis, is required.

Benefits

  • Competitive healthcare
  • Voluntary benefit programs
  • Fitness support
  • Mindfulness support
  • Mental health support
  • Family planning benefits
  • Fertility support
  • Adoption support
  • Surrogacy support
  • Paid time off
  • Vacation
  • Volunteer days
  • Sabbatical
  • Global recharge days
  • Year-end shutdown
  • Savings and investments
  • 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.

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