Data Scientist Research Associate Jobs in Kentucky

Moderna is seeking a talented and motivated data scientist with a background in applying machine learning techniques to problems in Research and Early Development to join our Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) Research team. This role will support and execute on collaborations across the Research organization with an initial focus on sequence-function machine learning. The role will be involved in building models and algorithms that power Moderna’s research engine, accelerating the scientific discovery that we engage in, scaling up our existing capabilities, and opening new avenues of research capabilities. We are looking for someone who is deeply curious, exhibits an excellent work ethic, and has a desire to bring novel mRNA therapeutics and vaccines to the market that will improve the lives of patients worldwide.

• Support and execute on research projects that leverage internal and external assay data to impact teams, processes, and projects in Biological Sciences, RNA Sciences, Chemistry and Delivery Sciences, and Bioinformatics, via data analysis and visualization, algorithm development, machine learning, and experimental design.
• Keep abreast of and, where appropriate, apply recent advances in machine learning and optimization, and their application to machine learning problems in RNA and LNP design.
• Design and analyze molecular and sequence libraries using statistical design of experiments, Bayesian optimization, active learning, and other data-driven approaches to maximize learning from experimental campaigns.
• Employ agentic software development tools to develop, deploy, and maintain ML-powered systems that leverage our internal assay data to accelerate our science.
• Utilize data science and software engineering best practices in day-to-day work, including automated testing, code review, and documentation designed to support reproducibility, collaboration, and effective use by AI agents.
• Collaborate with data scientists, data engineers, laboratory scientists, software developers, and engineers across Moderna.
• Communicate findings internally and externally.

• Ph.D.in Computer Science, Biological Engineering, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline with 0-2 years of professional experience, or a Master’s degree with 4+ years of relevant professional experience required.
• Demonstrated understanding of biotech research and engineering processes including one or more of molecular biology, discovery chemistry, microscopy, etc.
• Demonstrated prior experience in building sequence-function or QSAR models and applying them to molecular prioritization problems.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with experimental scientists to design, prioritize, and analyze molecular or sequence libraries that address biological or therapeutic questions.
• Strong foundation in statistics, including experimental design, regression/classification modeling, uncertainty quantification, hypothesis testing, and interpretation of noisy biological assay data.

• 2+ years of experience delivering data science projects.
• Outstanding communication skills (verbal and written).
• Success in communicating effectively to multiple levels of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience building research collaborations and executing complex and interdisciplinary research projects to completion.
• Fluency in Python, especially the scientific Python stack (Jupyter/Pandas/scikit-learn/PyTorch).
• Experience in identifying, procuring, and integrating external data sources as needed.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated experience and/or specialization in one of neural vision models, neural language models, diffusion models, or graph neural networks.
• Track record of publishing scientific research and/or method development.
• Familiarity with best practices in software development, including Amazon Web Services, Docker, version control (Git), and documentation.

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 planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, 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 salary range for this role is $121,600.00 - $194,500.00. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At Moderna we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells. We have a clear mission to propel the field of mRNA science forward and deliver new medicines to patients and a unique vision for how to achieve this mission. Our Mission: To deliver on the promise of transformative messenger RNA (mRNA) science to bring new medicines to patients. Our Vision: To unlock the potential of mRNA by establishing an ecosystem of teams and partners that will work together to develop the broadest possible array of drugs, across diverse therapeutic areas and routes of administration, for serious diseases that are not treatable today.