Scientist, Analytical Development

The Role

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. Success in this role requires hands-on scientific strength in method development and troubleshooting, a strong understanding of separation fundamentals, and effective cross-functional collaboration. You will own defined method-development workstreams, build robust and phase-appropriate analytical procedures, and help establish platform methods that can be leveraged across programs and ultimately transitioned into the broader analytical and Quality Control network.

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.

Our Working Model

As we build our company, we have always believed that an in-person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site-based operations.

Working onsite enables real-time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands-on partnership needed to deliver our mission. 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.

Pay & Benefits

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

• Competitive healthcare, 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 investments to help you plan for the future
• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $109,200.00 - $174,600.00. 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.

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 modernatx.com/careers to learn more about our current opportunities. 

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 [email protected]. 

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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