Director, Cancer Vaccines

The Role

Moderna is seeking a strategic and experienced Director to join our Cancer Vaccines & Bioinformatics Research team, leading critical mechanistic research in support of clinical-stage therapeutic cancer vaccines. This role will focus on uncovering how Moderna's mRNA platform technologies engage and shape anti-tumor immunity, using in vitro and preclinical models to explore vaccine efficacy, resistance, and tumor–immune dynamics.

As a senior member of the team, you will bring deep immuno-oncology expertise and collaborate closely with Clinical Development, CMC, Translational Research and Regulatory Affairs to guide the scientific strategy of our clinical portfolio. You will lead a small, high-performing team to drive hypothesis-led research that directly informs program direction and regulatory strategy. The role requires both scientific rigor and creative insight to identify, test, and refine mechanistic hypotheses. Demonstrated experience supporting regulatory filings and contributing to health authority strategy is essential for success in this position.

This position interfaces closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Translational Research, CMC and Program teams to ensure mechanistic questions central to vaccine performance are actively pursued and integrated into the broader development narrative. Success in this role requires a mechanistically driven immunologist with deep experience in immune-oncology, a strong foundation in platform and systems-level thinking, and a proven ability to lead teams executing rigorous, hypothesis-driven research.

Here's What You'll Do

• Design and lead in vitro and preclinical studies to investigate mechanistic questions critical to the performance of clinical-stage cancer vaccines.

• Define and execute experimental strategies to explore immune activation, antigen presentation, and tumor-immune interactions.

• Lead the development of data packages and scientific rationale that support global regulatory filings, amendments, and responses, in partnership with Regulatory colleagues.

• Inspire and develop a highly talented team of scientists by fostering an environment that encourages scientific rigor, intellectual autonomy, and career growth.

• Build strong cross-functional partnerships across Research, Clinical Development, CMC, and Regulatory to advance goals efficiently and robustly.

• Represent Moderna at key internal forums, contributing to thought leadership in immuno-oncology and therapeutic cancer vaccine research.

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

• PhD or MD/PhD in immunology, tumor immunology, or a closely related field.

• 9+ years of industry or applied research experience in immuno-oncology, with demonstrated leadership in mechanistic research.

• Deep expertise in the biology of immune activation, T cell function, antigen processing and presentation, and tumor-immune interface.

• Proven ability to design and execute in vitro and preclinical studies that inform clinical-stage therapeutic development.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional scientific initiatives with multiple stakeholders and tight timelines.

• Direct experience supporting regulatory filings (e.g., INDs, briefing books, HA responses), including scientific authorship and strategy development.

• Track record of integrating mechanistic insights into development-stage decision-making.

• Demonstrated success in leading and high-performing teams while fostering both scientific excellence and leadership development.

• A leadership style rooted in empowerment, high expectations, and collaborative mentorship.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex mechanistic findings for cross-functional and external stakeholders.

• A drive to contribute meaningfully to the development of transformative precision immunotherapies for patients.

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

• Expertise developing mRNA-LNP therapeutics, including cancer vaccines, is highly desirable.

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.  That's why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize your well-being journey
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investment opportunities
• Location-specific perks and extras

About Moderna

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. 

Our Working Model 

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 a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork, and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. 

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

Equal Opportunities

Moderna 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

Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

Accommodations

We'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. 

Moderna 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  

Export Control Notice

This 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.

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