Director, In Vivo Pharmacology, Cancer Vaccine Research

at  Moderna

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE:

Advanced degree in Pharmacology, Oncology, or a related scientific field, with a PhD or DVM and at least 9+ years relevant experience
Demonstrated expertise in in vivo pharmacology within oncology drug discovery and early development, preferably with a focus on nucleic acid therapeutics and vaccines
Deep knowledge of immuno-oncology including current and emerging standards of care to inform forward translational studies
Experienced in the creation and use of diverse in vivo cancer models for efficacy and PK/PD studies, including advanced local, systemic, disseminated, and orthotopic syngeneic, xenograft and genetically engineered murine models
Knowledge in overseeing relevant cell model development to be deployed in vivo
Highly experienced in in vivo study management, including pharmacological agent administration via IV, IP, SC, iTu, IM, and PO dosing routes including vaccination protocols; regular health and tumor growth monitoring; bioluminescence/fluorescence imaging using IVIS systems; necropsy and tissue collections
Experienced in authoring, implementing and ensuring compliance to study protocols under IACUC guidelines
Ability to mentor and develop junior scientists and research associates, and guide teams to successfully conduct in vivo studies, trouble shoot, and grow technically and scientifically
Skilled in outsourcing studies and fostering productive relationships with CROs and/or academic collaborators

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with cell line engineering, humanized models, or surgical/ resection models
Familiarity with regulatory guidelines and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards
Experience with bioinformatics tools relevant to pharmacology and oncology research
Facility with data analysis software tools such as GraphPad Prism
Exceptional organizational abilities, attention to detail, scientific adaptability, and a results-driven approach
Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to effectively engage with multiple teams
A respectful, inclusive, and collaborative mindset, complemented by boldness, creativity, curiosity, and relentlessness
Moderna is pleased to provide you and your family with a comprehensive and innovative suite of benefits, including:
Highly competitive and inclusive medical, dental and vision coverage options
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
Lifestyle Spending Account funds to help you engage in personal enrichment and self-care activities
Family care benefits, including subsidized back-up care options and on-demand tutoring
Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes
Exclusive preferred pricing on Peloton fitness equipment
Adoption and family-planning benefits
Dedicated care coordination support for our LGBTQ+ community

THE ROLE:

We are seeking a talented and experienced Director to lead our in vivo pharmacology research team. The successful candidate will play an integral role across our oncology research groups, overseeing the development of relevant in vivo animal and cell models, and the design and execution of pharmacology studies to propel our pre-clinical research and early development oncology pipeline in addition to Translational initiatives, such as in vivo combination evaluations. The Director will manage all internal and/ or external in vivo workflows, collaborating with various teams within Moderna, including Cancer Vaccine Research, Immuno-Oncology Research, and Research Operations. The ideal candidate will be a proven and effective team leader and people manager, highly collaborative team player, possess excellent communication skills, have a proven track record of independent research achievements, and bring innovative approaches to further our mission.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Direct the execution and analysis of in vivo pharmacology studies that support oncology programs and platform initiatives
Develop and refine in vivo murine tumor models and study protocols, ensuring compliance with regulatory, ethical, and quality standards; including serving as Principal Investigator on internal in vivo pharmacology protocols
Identify new tumor models and new techniques that will further advance mRNA therapies
Work closely with internal teams to optimize in vivo study designs and oversee their execution, whether conducted in-house or through external partners
Establish and maintain partnerships with Contract Research Organizations (CROs), industry partners and academic institutions for all in vivo studies
Manage the analysis, review, and summary of in vivo pharmacology data to ensure robustness as well as integration into big picture considerations
Contribute to and co-author scientific reports for inclusion in regulatory submissions, internal and external presentations
Lead and allocate team resources and timelines to ensure the efficient progression of studies and achievement of objectives across multiple programs and oncology-focused teams