2026 Co-Op, Platform and TA Bioinformatics, Research Operations

The Role

This is a Co-op opportunity in Cambridge, MA from July 13, 2026 – December 11, 2026. Applicants must be available for the entire duration of the co-op. Start date will be July 13, 2026.

The Therapeutic Area Bioinformatics team at Moderna is seeking top talent in computational biology, bioinformatics, and data science to help advance our mission of delivering transformative mRNA medicines. As a Co-Op within the Autoimmune Therapeutic Area, you will be embedded in a high-performing, cross-functional research team working at the intersection of computational modeling and immunology. In this role, you will evaluate, develop, and apply quantitative and deep learning models to address key bioinformatics challenges related to target perturbation prediction and mechanistic modeling in autoimmune disease. You will work with multi-omic, transcriptomic, and functional genomics datasets to characterize target biology, predict downstream effects of genetic or pharmacologic perturbations, and support data-driven target prioritization strategies. This experience will provide hands-on exposure to cutting-edge computational approaches in drug discovery, deepen your understanding of immune system biology, and allow you to contribute directly to the identification and advancement of novel therapeutic targets in autoimmunity.

Here’s What You’ll Do

• Work closely with a team of computational biologists, immunologists, and data scientists to rapidly gain familiarity with Moderna’s platforms, datasets, and modeling frameworks.

• Identify, evaluate, and synthesize foundational computational models from the academic literature relevant to target perturbation prediction, network biology, and autoimmune disease mechanisms, and assess their suitability for internal implementation.

• Adapt, implement, and benchmark selected models within Moderna’s computational ecosystem, ensuring robustness, reproducibility, and scalability across datasets.

• Develop and apply advanced statistical and deep learning approaches to analyze multi-omic, transcriptomic, and functional genomics data to predict downstream effects of genetic or pharmacologic target perturbations.

• Contribute to mechanistic and systems-level modeling efforts to better understand immune cell state transitions and pathway dynamics in autoimmunity.

• Perform rigorous model validation, sensitivity analyses, and comparative benchmarking to support data-driven target prioritization decisions.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with therapeutic area scientists and experimental teams to interpret computational findings and refine hypotheses.

• Prepare clear technical documentation, reproducible code, and formal reports summarizing methods, results, conclusions, and recommended next steps.

• Present findings and modeling strategies in cross-functional meetings, contributing to strategic discussions around target biology and therapeutic development.

Here’s What You’ll Need (Basic Qualifications)

• Current PhD student in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Immunology (with strong computational focus), Biomedical Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline.

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or applying advanced statistical or deep learning models to biological datasets.

• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with experience writing reproducible, well-documented code.

• Experience working with high-dimensional biological data (e.g., transcriptomics, single-cell data, epigenomics, proteomics, CRISPR screens, or other functional genomics datasets).

• This position is site-based, requiring you to be at Moderna’s site full-time. This position is not eligible for remote work.

• At Moderna, we are focused on delivering on our mission by enabling talent to thrive. For this role, we are currently unable to offer immigration sponsorship. Candidates must already hold work authorization in US and be able to maintain that status without the need for future sponsorship.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

• Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and translate published computational or systems biology methods into practical, scalable implementations.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly present technical findings to both computational scientists and experimental/biological collaborators.

• Familiarity with advanced modeling approaches such as network modeling, perturbation modeling, causal inference, dynamical systems, multimodal integration, or predictive machine learning in biological contexts.

• Track record of scientific contribution, such as peer-reviewed publications, preprints, conference presentations, and/or publicly available code repositories (e.g., GitHub) demonstrating reproducible computational work.

• Domain knowledge in immunology and/or autoimmune disease biology, including familiarity with immune cell states, cytokine signaling, and mechanisms of immune dysregulation is preferred.

• Working knowledge of wet-lab experimental approaches (e.g., RNA-seq, single-cell sequencing, CRISPR screens, flow cytometry), enabling effective collaboration with experimental teams and informed interpretation of biological data is preferred.

• Experience working in cross-functional or interdisciplinary research environment is strongly preferred.

Moderna provides employees with a comprehensive and innovative suite of benefits, including:

• Paid time off, including:
  •    Vacation, sick time, and observed Company-wide holidays

• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness classes 

• Free parking, subsidized parking, or subsidized commuter passes, depending on location.

• Location-specific perks and extras!

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work.  That’s why our co-op benefits are designed to support you during your time with us —at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Free premium access to meditation and mindfulness classes

• Subsidized commuter benefits

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, volunteer days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown

• Location-specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $20.00 - $60.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com. 

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.