Director, Cancer Vaccine Research

Moderna • Cambridge, MA

18h

About The Position

The Role Moderna is seeking a strategic and deeply mechanistic Director, Cancer Vaccine Research to support our clinical-stage therapeutic cancer vaccine portfolio, including intismeran and other advancing cancer antigen therapy programs. A central focus of this role is to deepen our understanding of how the mRNA-based cancer vaccine platform elicits tumor control in humans. Through rigorous, hypothesis-driven investigation, you will guide efforts to dissect immune mechanisms leveraging preclinical models to strengthen the scientific foundations of our programs in development. This career opportunity will allow you to lead the team responsible for addressing critical pharmacology questions emerging from clinical studies, using in vitro and disease-relevant preclinical models to interrogate antigen-specific T cell dynamics, immune activation pathways, tumor–immune interactions, and mechanisms of response and resistance. In close partnership with Clinical Development, Regulatory, CMC, and Program teams, you will ensure that mechanistic insights are thoughtfully generated and integrated into program strategy and regulatory narratives for both current and future programs. As a member of the CVBR Leadership Team, you will also contribute to broader scientific prioritization, talent development, and functional strategy within Cancer Vaccines Research. This role is designed for a leader who combines mechanistic depth with systems-level thinking and who is motivated to connect platform biology to meaningful clinical outcomes.

Requirements

• PhD or MD/PhD in immunology, tumor immunology, or a related field.
• 9+ years of industry or applied research experience in immuno-oncology, including leadership of mechanistic research supporting development-stage assets.
• Deep expertise in immune activation biology, antigen processing and presentation, T cell function, and tumor–immune interactions.
• Demonstrated experience designing mechanistic studies that inform clinical-stage therapeutic development.
• Substantial experience serving as a scientific author for regulatory submissions (e.g., INDs, amendments, briefing books) and contributing to health authority responses.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in complex cross-functional environments, building trusted partnerships across Research, Clinical Development, Regulatory, and CMC to drive aligned program outcomes.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing scientific teams.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to distill complex mechanistic data for cross-functional and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise developing mRNA-LNP therapeutics, including cancer vaccines, is highly desirable.
• Experience engaging with external partners or alliance teams, representing scientific strategy and data in cross-organizational settings.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the mechanistic research strategy supporting clinical-stage cancer vaccine programs, focused on understanding how the mRNA platform drives tumor control in patients.
• Design and oversee rigorous in vitro and disease-relevant preclinical studies to interrogate antigen-specific T cell responses, immune activation pathways, tumor–immune interactions, mechanisms of response and resistance, and scientific rationale for combination strategies.
• Integrate mechanistic findings with emerging clinical data to refine development hypotheses and strengthen program-level scientific narratives.
• Serve as a key scientific representative for Research in cross-functional regulatory teams, authoring and contributing to IND submissions, amendments, briefing books, and health authority responses.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team while contributing to CVBR leadership discussions on scientific standards and portfolio priorities.
• Represent Moderna in internal governance forums, external alliances, and scientific venues, articulating mechanistic rationale and platform strategy.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree