2026 Co-Op, Cancer Vaccine Research

Role Summary

The Moderna Research Co-op program is a 6-month experiential training program for students pursuing an undergraduate or advanced degree in the life sciences. You will gain hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, contribute to cancer vaccine research, and develop technical, analytical, and laboratory skills under supervision, with opportunities for collaboration, networking, and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Be part of the Cancer Vaccine Research (CVR) team, testing and advancing vaccine designs from discovery to clinical trials.
• Train on and perform experiments to assess cancer vaccine targets, evaluation, and validation.
• Execute experimental workflows including tissue culture, cell transfections, flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and western blot with corresponding analyses.

Qualifications

• Required: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or advanced degree program in the biomedical sciences (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Cancer Biology, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology).
• Required: Basic knowledge of lab techniques (e.g., pipetting, aseptic technique).
• Preferred: Technical experience in mammalian cell/tissue culture, protein/RNA detection methods (e.g., MSD, ELISA, western blot, RT-PCR), cell characterization (e.g., flow cytometry), assay development, and troubleshooting. Prior co-op or internship experience is welcome but not required.
• Required: Self-motivated, enthusiastic, detail-oriented, eager to learn, able to drive and complete a project, and capable of working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Required: Must have work authorization in the US without the need for future sponsorship.

Skills

• Immunology, molecular biology, or cell biology knowledge
• Laboratory techniques and data analysis
• Team collaboration and communication

Education

• Not specified beyond the degree programs listed in Qualifications

Additional Requirements

• Immigration/work authorization: Candidates must already hold US work authorization and be able to maintain status without sponsorship.