Director, Cancer Vaccines Research

About This Role

Lead critical mechanistic research for clinical-stage therapeutic cancer vaccines at Moderna, focusing on mRNA platform technologies' impact on anti-tumor immunity. Guide scientific strategy for the clinical portfolio, collaborating with cross-functional teams and supporting regulatory filings.

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements

• 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 high-performing teams while fostering both scientific excellence and leadership development
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex mechanistic findings for cross-functional and external stakeholders

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

Nice to Have

• Expertise developing mRNA-LNP therapeutics, including cancer vaccines

Benefits