Director, Cancer Vaccine Research

About 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.

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.

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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Skills

• Expertise in immune activation biology, antigen processing and presentation, T cell function, and tumor–immune interactions.
• 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.

Benefits

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 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.

Pay & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $167,000.00 - $300,700.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.