Principal Research Associate, Clinical Biomarker Laboratory, Flow Cytometry

The Role:

Joining Moderna means advancing mRNA science to transform medicine. Work with exceptional global teams on a broad pipeline and build a career that makes a real difference for patients.

This role is based in Oxford and offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of clinical immunology applying advanced spectral flow cytometry technologies to generate critical data that informs clinical development decisions across multiple therapeutic areas. As part of the Clinical Flow Cytometry group you will serve as a technical expert operating within a GCLP environment supporting the development validation and execution of complex cell-based assays for clinical programs.

Working alongside a highly collaborative team of scientists you will leverage high-parameter flow cytometry functional immune profiling and innovative analytical approaches to deliver high-quality clinical data. You will also have opportunities to engage with emerging digital technologies and Generative AI-enabled tools that support data interpretation workflow optimization documentation and operational excellence across the clinical laboratory environment.

Heres What Youll Do:

• Serve as a technical expert within the Clinical Flow Cytometry group supporting clinical programs across multiple therapeutic areas through the generation of high-parameter flow cytometry data under GCLP guidelines.
• Execute clinical sample testing under GCLP requirements while maintaining the highest standards of quality compliance and data integrity.
• Set up and perform ex vivo assays including ex vivo stimulation protocols for functional profiling of immune responses using validated assays on clinical trial samples.
• Perform high-parameter immunophenotyping on PBMC and whole blood samples utilizing advanced spectral flow cytometry platforms.
• Conduct PBMC isolation and cryopreservation from blood products in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.
• Ensure strict adherence to protocols technical procedures and documentation requirements to support assay rigor reproducibility and regulatory compliance.
• Identify investigate and resolve quality issues while escalating concerns appropriately to maintain operational excellence.
• Maintain accurate and compliant documentation utilizing Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• When assigned act as a study lead or assay lead within clinical testing programs ensuring successful execution of study objectives and timelines.
• Play a key role in the development of high-parameter spectral flow cytometry assays and their application to clinical trial samples to generate impactful clinical data.
• Independently execute experiments from sample preparation through data acquisition analysis interpretation and presentation.
• Analyze complex flow cytometry datasets using FCS Express and effectively communicate findings to internal stakeholders.
• Deliver high-quality data within established timelines while meeting current industry expectations for data quality integrity and reproducibility.
• Follow established experimental workflows and documentation procedures while proactively identifying opportunities to improve accuracy efficiency and operational effectiveness.
• Support the preparation of regulatory and technical documentation including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Analytical Study Plans and Analytical Study Reports.
• Collaborate with functional leads study leads and assay leads to support assay development fit-for-purpose validation activities and preparation for clinical sample analysis.
• Operate and support assay execution on Cytek Aurora spectral flow cytometers.
• Identify process compliance and procedural gaps and develop mitigation strategies to minimize downtime reduce risk and prevent data loss.
• Partner with colleagues to evaluate feasibility test and implement emerging laboratory technologies and innovative methodologies.
• When assigned act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for instrument management process management or specialized laboratory workflows.
• Contribute to laboratory housekeeping governance activities safe laboratory practices and maintenance of a compliant laboratory environment.
• Educate mentor guide and train junior team members as appropriate.
• Support business needs through occasional overtime and weekend work when required.

The key Moderna Mindsets youll need to succeed in the role:

• We obsess over learning. We dont have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.
• We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.

Heres What Youll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• BA or MS in Immunology Life Sciences Biology or related field; >5yr lab experience preferably in industry. PhD in a relevant field will be considered as part of experience
• Minimum of 3 years of hands flow cytometry experience including best practices for generating high quality data throughout the process from sample processing and staining through to sample acquisition.
• An understanding of spectral flow cytometry.
• In-depth experience on cytometers. Cytometers such as Cytek Aurora BD Fortessa/Symphony and similar are preferred.
• Knowledge of system software for data analysis: FCS Express OMIQ FlowJo
• Experience with working with Microsoft office tools including Word PowerPoint Excel
• A practical understanding of the use of AI for scientific problem solving.
• An effective communicator and collaborator within project teams with good written and presentation skills.
• Flexibility with changing priorities and urgent project requests.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with cell culture ex vivo assays and PBMC isolation from whole blood is desired.
• Experience in assessing cell-mediated immunity through flow cytometry: ex vivo stimulation of PBMC and intracellular cytokine staining for functional profiling is highly desirable.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (GCP GLP ISO standard) and within a clinical testing laboratory is highly desirable
• Possess good computational skills experienced with GraphPad Prism R.
• Up to date on best practices in flow cytometry and application to clinical trials
• Demonstrated level of independence

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna we believe that when you feel your best you can do your best work. Thats why our global benefits and well-being resources are designed to support youat work at home and everywhere in between.

• Best-in-class healthcare plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs

• A holistic approach to well-being with access to fitness mindfulness and mental health support

• Family building benefits including fertility adoption and surrogacy support

• Generous paid time off including vacation bank holidays volunteer days sabbatical global recharge days and a discretionary year-end shutdown

• Savingsandinvestments to help you plan for the future

• Location-specific perks and extras

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010 we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform theinfrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered and a world-class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.

By living our mission values and mindsets every day our peopleare the driving force behind our scientific progress and our we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients our employees the environment and our communities.

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

As we build our company we have always believed an in-person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in-office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in-office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation teamwork and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn contribute and make a meaningful impact.

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine we invite you to visit to learn more about our current opportunities.

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

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day please apply!

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a persons race color sex gender identity or expression age religion national origin ancestry or citizenship ethnicity disability military or protected veteran status genetic information sexual orientation marital or familial status or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories consistent with legal requirements.

Were focused on attracting retaining developing and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences backgrounds and ideas we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at .

-

Required Experience:

Staff IC

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1