Manager, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

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.

You will join Moderna’s Clinical and Quantitative Pharmacology organization in Melbourne, developing and applying mechanistic quantitative systems pharmacology models across our therapeutic portfolio and mRNA platform.

As an individual contributor, you will work at the intersection of disease biology, pharmacology and clinical development, integrating preclinical, clinical and literature data to strengthen translation from preclinical species to humans and inform critical program decisions.

This role offers the opportunity to combine QSP, PK/PD, PBPK and other model-informed approaches with emerging digital and Generative AI-enabled tools to accelerate quantitative insight, scientific learning and drug development.

Here’s What You Will Do

• Develop and apply quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) models that integrate biological, pharmacological and clinical knowledge to address key drug development questions across Moderna’s portfolio.
• Develop mechanistic PK/PD, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) and translational models to characterize drug disposition, pharmacological activity, and relationships among dose, exposure, biomarkers and clinical response.
• Apply quantitative modeling and simulation to support candidate selection, preclinical-to-clinical translation, first-in-human dose selection, dose escalation and dose-regimen optimization.
• Integrate diverse data sources, including in vitro, in vivo, clinical and literature data, to develop and validate mechanistic models and generate testable hypotheses.
• Perform model calibration, parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty analysis and simulation to characterize key drivers of pharmacological response and inform decision-making.
• Collaborate closely with scientists and project teams across Pharmacology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine, Research, Clinical Development and other cross-functional disciplines to identify opportunities where quantitative modeling can have meaningful program impact.
• Provide quantitative and mechanistic interpretation of experimental and clinical data to improve understanding of mechanism of action, disease biology, pharmacological activity and sources of variability in response.
• Communicate modeling strategies, assumptions, results and recommendations to multidisciplinary project teams and scientific leadership.
• Contribute quantitative modeling analyses and scientific rationale to regulatory documents and interactions, as appropriate.
• Maintain awareness of advances in QSP, systems biology, pharmacometrics, computational biology and related quantitative disciplines, incorporating relevant methodologies into drug development programs.
• Explore opportunities to apply Generative AI and other advanced digital tools to scientific literature synthesis, knowledge integration, model-development workflows and data interrogation, while maintaining appropriate scientific rigor and validation.
• Operate effectively as a highly collaborative individual contributor in a fast-paced scientific environment, bringing strong quantitative modeling capability and scientific curiosity to complex drug development questions.

The key Moderna Mindsets you’ll need to succeed in the role:

• “We obsess over learning. We don’t have to be the smartest we have to learn the fastest.”
• “We act with dynamic range, driving strategy and execution at the same time at every step.”

Here is What You Will Need (Basic Qualifications)

• PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, systems biology, computational biology, applied mathematics, or related quantitative discipline.
• Experience of developing and applying mechanistic mathematical models to biological or pharmacological systems.
• 1-4+ years of experience in quantitative pharmacology, including QSP, PK/PD, PBPK, or other mechanistic modeling or differential equation-based mechanistic modeling approaches supporting drug discovery and development.
• Strong knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, drug development, and quantitative analysis.
• Experience integrating and analyzing preclinical and/or clinical pharmacology data to support model development and simulation.
• Proficiency with quantitative modeling and scientific computing software such as MATLAB/SimBiology, R, Python, or similar platforms.
• Ability to independently formulate biological and pharmacological questions into quantitative modeling strategies.
• Strong scientific communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate complex modeling concepts and results to both quantitative and non-quantitative audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams.

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.

Pay & Benefits

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

• Competitive 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
• Savings and investments 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, 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. 

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 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. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. 

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 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 leavesandaccommodations@modernatx.com. 

-