Principal Scientist, Process Development

Principal Scientist, Process Development (Expression Systems)

Job Function

Process Development

Location

[TBD]

Level

[TBD]

Overtime Eligible

[TBD]

Relocation Eligible

[TBD]

Immigration Sponsorship Eligible

[TBD]

Role Type

Full-Time

EEO Job Code

[TOTAL REWARDS]

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Role

Moderna is seeking an Individual to lead host strain, vector, and expression system strategy for E. coli-based production of recombinant enzymes, plasmids, and related biological materials supporting Moderna's technology platforms and pipeline programs.

This role owns the front end of microbial production: designing, building, screening, and selecting host/vector/expression systems that enable high-performing, scalable, and robust upstream processes.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in microbial genetics, molecular biology, expression-system design, screening workflows, data-driven construct selection, and translation of small-scale screening outputs into process-development-ready leads.

Here's What You'll Do

* Own the strategy for E. coli host strain, vector, and expression-system for recombinant enzymes, plasmids, and related biological materials.
* Design and execute screening cascades that identify production candidates with strong titer, yield, quality, genetic stability, robustness, and process-development potential.
* Define stage-appropriate decision criteria for host/vector selection, expression tuning, induction strategy, plasmid stability, growth, product quality, and manufacturability.
* Develop and optimize small-scale and high-throughput screening workflows, including shake flask, deep-well plate, ambr, or other scale-down systems where appropriate.
* Evaluate host strains, promoters, ribosome binding sites, copy number, plasmid architecture, induction systems, codon/design strategies, secretion or localization strategies where relevant, and expression timing.
* Use DOE and data-driven approaches to improve screening throughput, predictiveness, reproducibility, and translation to bioreactor performance.
* Lead or support strain and vector engineering to improve expression performance, stability, productivity, robustness, and manufacturability.
* Apply molecular biology, microbial physiology, and synthetic biology principles to troubleshoot poor expression, instability, toxicity, metabolic burden, inclusion body formation, degradation, or inconsistent performance.
* Define fit-for-purpose characterization and handoff packages for candidate strains and constructs, including strain/vector history, design rationale, screening data, stability observations, known risks, and recommended development paths.
* Partner with process development, analytical development, downstream purification, informatics, automation, and data science teams to ensure screening outputs are actionable and linked to relevant quality and process attributes.
* Develop platform approaches and standardized documentation, data capture, decision criteria, and knowledge-management practices for recurring enzyme, plasmid, or microbial production needs.
* Support cross-functional troubleshooting, technical reports, development summaries, CMC-supporting documentation, and regulatory responses as needed.
* Serve as a technical leader and mentor in microbial genetics, molecular biology, expression-system design, screening strategy, and data interpretat
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