Associate Director, Flow Cytometry Core - MODERNA : Job Details

The Role:

Reporting to the Senior Director, Research Analytics, we are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Director to lead our Flow Cytometry Core Team. This role is ideal for a scientific leader with deep technical expertise in tissue dissociation, cell isolation, flow cytometry method development, multicolor antibody panel design, high-throughput sample analysis, and cell sorting. The ideal candidate will combine strong operational and managerial oversight with scientific and technical rigor to support internal research teams and accelerate our discovery and translational programs.

Here's What You'll Do:

• Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead and mentor a team of scientists and research associates specializing in flow cytometry and tissue-based applications.

• Manage day-to-day operations of the flow cytometry core, ensuring high-quality data generation, throughput, and service delivery.

• Develop and implement SOPs, training programs, and quality control measures to maintain consistent, reproducible performance.

• Technical Excellence & Method Development

• Design and optimize multicolor antibody panels for immune phenotyping, rare cell analysis, and functional readouts.

• Lead efforts to optimize tissue dissociation protocols across multiple tissue types (e.g., spleen, liver, lung, lymph nodes, bone marrow).

• Innovate and validate new high-throughput and automated workflows, including robotic sample handling and data acquisition strategies.

• Oversee cell sorting operations, ensuring sterility, purity, and viability for downstream applications (e.g., culture, sequencing).

• Collaboration & Scientific Support

• Partner with therapeutic leads and scientific project teams to understand experimental needs and provide expert guidance on flow cytometry strategy and experimental design.

• Interpret and present data to cross-functional teams and contribute to experimental planning.

• Coordinate with bioinformatics and data science teams to ensure seamless integration of flow cytometry data.

• Stay current with emerging flow cytometry technologies and applications to maintain a state-of-the-art core.

• Core Strategy & Budget Management

• Contribute to strategic planning for future instrumentation and capabilities based on scientific needs.

• Manage core facility budget, equipment maintenance, and vendor relationships.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Immunology, Cell Biology, or related field with 7+ years of hands-on experience in flow cytometry and tissue processing.

• Proven leadership experience, with a strong track record of managing teams in a research or core facility setting.

• Deep expertise in panel design (10+ colors), compensation strategies, and data interpretation.

• Proficiency with flow cytometry platforms (e.g., Cytek, Sony, BD), analyzers and sorters, and analysis software (e.g., FlowJo, OMIQ).

• Demonstrated experience optimizing tissue dissociation protocols for high-quality single-cell suspensions.

• Familiarity with automation and high-throughput sample processing is strongly preferred.

• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

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

• Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus a suite of voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to personalize your well-being journey
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
• Savings and investment opportunities
• Location-specific perks and extras

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure 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 people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, 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.

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

Our Working Model

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.

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

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's 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.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 an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Accommodations

We're 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 accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation 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 team at [email protected] .

Export Control Notice

This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant's ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license.

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