Scientist, Platform and TA Bioinformatics

Role Summary

Moderna is seeking an exceptionally talented and highly motivated computational scientist with RNA biology background to work as part of a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and fast-paced team. The successful candidate will develop and apply novel algorithms to design and optimize therapeutic mRNAs. Leveraging state-of-the-art bioinformatics, optimization, and machine learning approaches, this role directly contributes to advancing Moderna’s mRNA design and engineering platform across multiple therapeutic areas. The ideal candidate has a deep foundation in algorithm development, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, and experience applying machine learning and deep learning to problems in RNA or related molecular systems. This position has significant visibility and potential for growth in a dynamic organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply novel combinatorial optimization algorithms to solve the needs and challenges specific to developing mRNA medicines
• Work with RNA biologists, the high throughput screening team, and the NGS team to acquire appropriate datasets to train, build, refine machine learning models
• Utilize deep understanding of scientific literature and concepts to drive innovation for mRNA design
• Contribute to scientific and strategy discussions to advance and enhance the Moderna mRNA Platform
• Maintain accountability for project success and result delivery
• Communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical collaborators internally and externally

Qualifications

• Required: Ph.D. in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Physics, or related field with post-doctoral training
• Required: Algorithm development experience
• Required: Experience applying machine learning and deep learning models
• Preferred: Experience with applications in RNA biology
• Preferred: Familiar with RNA secondary structure prediction tools and principles
• Preferred: 1+ year experience in industry
• Preferred: Experience analyzing NGS data from chemical probing experiments, e.g. SHAPE
• Preferred: Experience with programming or scripting languages (multiple preferred), e.g. Python, R
• Preferred: High performance computing in a distributed/cloud environment, e.g. AWS
• Preferred: Software development best practices, including agile, version control, unit and integration testing, documentation, and deployment
• Preferred: Ability to manage multiple concurrent, fast-paced projects and to work with collaborators from both wet lab and dry lab
• Preferred: An established record of innovative research achievements in machine learning/bioinformatics reported in top-tier journals and patent applications
• Preferred: Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Preferred: Positive team building and teamwork skills: innate ability to influence, lead and inspire people, within function and beyond functional/company boundaries

Skills

• Algorithm development
• Machine learning and deep learning
• RNA biology applications
• Programming: Python, R (and others)
• NGS data analysis (e.g., SHAPE)
• High performance computing in cloud environments (e.g., AWS)
• Software development best practices (agile, version control, testing, documentation, deployment)
• Scientific communication (written and verbal)
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Physics, or related field (with post-doctoral training)