# Principal Scientist, Process Development (Expression Systems)

Hiring organization: [Moderna](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/moderna)

Canonical page: https://career.thegoodapps.co/jobs/3eb83624-38bc-4f52-8d5f-f8137b9d4357

Listed on Moderna's own careers site. Applications go to them directly.

- Employment type: full time
- Seniority: Principal
- Salary: 142500 – 256500 USD per year

## Summary

Moderna seeks a scientific leader to architect and optimize E. coli-based expression systems for recombinant protein and plasmid production, driving strain design, high-throughput screening, and translation of lab results into manufacturing-ready processes. This role suits an experienced molecular biologist or bioprocess engineer with deep expertise in microbial genetics and a track record of moving expression science from discovery through to regulatory handoff.

_Our summary, not Moderna's wording._

## Skills named

Design of Experiments (DOE), Molecular Biology

## Required

- PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology, or related field with 5+ years industry experience (or MS with 10+ years, or BS with 12+ years)
- Substantial hands-on experience engineering E. coli strains, designing vectors, and developing expression systems for recombinant proteins or enzymes
- Expertise building and executing microbial expression-screening workflows
- Deep knowledge of E. coli genetics, physiology, plasmid biology, and expression regulation
- Demonstrated ability to connect host/vector/expression design choices to titer, yield, quality, and manufacturability
- Experience translating small-scale or high-throughput screening data into process-development decisions
- Track record leading complex technical projects and influencing cross-functional teams

## Nice to have

- Direct experience developing E. coli systems specifically for recombinant enzymes or plasmid production
- Expertise in strain engineering, promoter/RBS libraries, copy-number optimization, or protein solubility strategies
- Experience building screening cascades that balance speed, throughput, and scale translation
- Working knowledge of fermentation, downstream processing, and analytical methods for assessing expression and product quality
- Background supporting CMC documentation, regulatory responses, or managing small technical teams

Apply on Moderna's site: https://modernatx.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/M_tx/job/Norwood-Massachusetts/Principal-Scientist--Process-Development--Expression-Systems-_R19227-1