Principal Scientist, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Modeling

The Role:
The Clinical Pharmacology & Pharmacometrics Department at Moderna, Inc. is seeking a Ph.D. level Principal Scientist QSP lead who is driven to use state-of-the-art modeling approaches to advance the development of an expanding pipeline of novel mRNA drug candidates, and to join a rapidly expanding group of diverse pharmacometricians, clinical pharmacologists and QSP modelers. This individual will be responsible for hands-on development and implementation of dynamical systems models, which will help drive optimal decision making of preclinical and clinical strategies across the pipeline to ensure that the right drugs and drug combinations are given to the right patients at the right doses and regimens. The modeling and simulation activities focus on QSP modeling, which extends to platform-level disease models, physiologically based PK (PBPK) models, simulations of clinical trials, literature meta-analysis and other cutting-edge modeling techniques. The individual in this position will bring an understanding of and experience in mechanistic modeling of biological systems and will interface with Clinical Pharmacologists, Pharmacometricians, Toxicology and DMPK program leads, as well as therapeutic area heads, Biostatistics, clinical research, Pharmacovigilance, leaders in Platform Development and others. Contributions to regulatory filings and program stage gates via modeling and simulation, as well as modeling method development and presentations at scientific conferences with opportunities to publish will be part of the role. The successful candidate will be a curious, forward-thinking, and scientifically driven leader who will be able to work independently, as well as collaboratively to help advance and deliver therapies for the benefit of the patients.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Design, develop, calibrate, and validate QSP models to support the mRNA platform and the preclinical and clinical development of mRNA therapies

• Contribute to selection of preclinical study designs and doses, human efficacious dose selection, clinical dose and regimen optimization, hypothesis testing, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, generation of virtual patient populations and establish platform models to be used for backtranslation for lead molecule selection and accelerated development of compounds along the same modality; additionally, develop mechanistic models to advance the mRNA platform

• Review modeling and biological/medical literature for preclinical and clinical meta-analysis for model development and implementation

• Utilize and build on other cutting-edge modeling techniques in the field

• Work independently as well as collaboratively to communicate modeling strategy and results to development teams, in department meetings, at the platform level, and elsewhere.

• Maintain scientific awareness by attending conferences, publishing, and staying up to date on the latest scientific and computational tools within QSP, systems biology, machine learning/AI, and clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table:

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field.

• 3 years of experience with mechanistic mathematical modeling of biological systems from postdocs, CROs or industry with an excellent track record of high-quality publications and presentations; experienced candidates should have demonstrated impact on drug development through quantitative approaches.

• Be able to demonstrate proficiency with systems biology modeling approaches such as differential equations, logic, stochastic, agent-based or others, and show biological understanding of the model system.

• Good understanding of cell biology and physiology.

• Proficient with modeling software, such as Matlab/SimBiology, Julia/PUMAS, R, Python, etc.

• Ability to work independently, as well as in cross-functional teams.

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

• Candidate should thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasked, and hands-on environment.

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
• Generous paid time off, including:
  
  • Vacation, sick time and holidays
  • Volunteer time to participate within your community
  • Discretionary winter shut down
  • Paid sabbatical after 5 years; every 3 years thereafter
• Generous Paid Leave offerings, including 18 weeks of 100% paid parental leave for all new parents
• 401k match and Financial Planning tools
• Moderna-paid Life, LTD and STD insurance coverages, as well as voluntary benefit options
• Complimentary concierge service including home services research, travel booking, and entertainment requests
• Free parking or subsidized commuter passes
• Location-specific perks and extras!

Candidates should be aware that Moderna currently maintains a policy requiring all US-based employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster shot once eligible . Newly hired employees must be vaccinated and boosted prior to their employment start date. Moderna is an equal opportunity employer and will provide a reasonable accommodation to those unable to be vaccinated or receive a booster where it is not an undue hardship to the company to do so as provided under federal, state, and local law.

About Moderna

In over 10 years since its inception, Moderna has transformed from a research-stage company advancing programs in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA), to an enterprise with a diverse clinical portfolio of vaccines and therapeutics across seven modalities, a broad intellectual property portfolio in areas including mRNA and lipid nanoparticle formulation, and an integrated manufacturing plant that allows for rapid clinical and commercial production at scale. Moderna maintains alliances with a broad range of domestic and overseas government and commercial collaborators, which has allowed for the pursuit of both groundbreaking science and rapid scaling of manufacturing. Most recently, Moderna's capabilities have come together to allow the authorized use and approval of one of the earliest and most effective vaccines against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moderna's mRNA platform builds on continuous advances in basic and applied mRNA science, delivery technology and manufacturing, and has allowed the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Moderna has been named a top biopharmaceutical employer by Science for the past seven years. To learn more, visit www.modernatx.com .

Moderna is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and drug-free work environment.

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.