Sr. Director, Head, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

Moderna’s Clinical and Quantitative Pharmacology (CQP) function is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as Senior Director, Head of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) capability. In this role, you will provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for Moderna’s mechanistic and systems pharmacology capabilities. This leader will define and execute the vision for how mechanistic modeling, systems biology, and model-informed drug development (MIDD) approaches are applied across discovery, preclinical, and clinical stages to accelerate early development decisions, strengthen translational understanding, and optimize dose, schedule and patient selection strategies.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement QSP strategy across priority therapeutic areas and modalities; Embed QSP principles and deliverables into Moderna’s R&D decision framework, including target validation, animal study design, human dose projection, and mechanism-of-action understanding; Partner with discovery, preclinical, clinical and platform teams to ensure quantitative and biological hypotheses guide experimental design and portfolio advancement; Represent QSP and champion quantitative and systems-based thinking throughout R&D; Lead design, development, and application of mechanistic models (disease progression, target engagement, immune dynamics, biomarker relationships, etc.) to inform key program decisions; Integrate multi-dimensional data and knowledge into multi-scale mechanistic models for translation and decision support; Advance innovative approaches in model architectures and computational methodologies; Ensure scientific rigor, transparency, and reproducibility in all modeling deliverables; Collaborate closely with Clinical Pharmacology, Translational Medicine, DMPK, research, bioinformatics, clinical development and platform sciences to design integrated quantitative strategies; Provide QSP input for INDs, IBs, regulatory filings, and Health Authority interactions; Align modeling deliverables with clinical and quantitative pharmacology to enable model-informed decision-making throughout the program lifecycle; Provide scientific and functional leadership for QSP activities across internal contributors, matrix partners, external vendors, and academic collaborators; Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that promotes learning, creativity, and scientific excellence; Help shape QSP capability development, operating model, and talent strategy as the portfolio evolves; Oversee outsourced modeling work, budget, and strategic partnerships with CROs and academic collaborators; Represent Moderna in global scientific forums, regulatory workshops, and consortia to shape the future of QSP and model-informed drug development; Publish and present scientific work in high-impact journals and conferences; Contribute to or lead cross-functional special projects, ad hoc initiatives, or new methodology pilots

Requirements

Ph.D. in systems pharmacology, bioengineering, applied mathematics, pharmacology, or a related quantitative discipline; Exceptional MS-degree candidates with extensive (20+ years) relative experience also considered; 10+ years of industry or equivalent experience in QSP / mechanistic modeling, including at least 7 years supporting oncology drug development, with deep immuno-oncology expertise; experience with T cell engagers, adoptive cell therapy, or other cancer immunotherapy approaches strongly preferred; Proven track record of applying mechanistic and translational models to support drug development (preclinical through clinical); Deep understanding of PK/PD, systems biology, disease pathway modeling, and biomarker integration; Demonstrated scientific leadership, mentoring, and development of quantitative scientists, preferably across sites, geographies, or matrix settings; Proficiency in modeling platforms such as MATLAB/SimBiology, Monolix, R, or Python; Strong communication and influencing skills; ability to translate quantitative findings for multidisciplinary and executive audiences; Ability to operate strategically while remaining scientifically hands-on in a fast-evolving portfolio environment; Experience contributing to regulatory filings and Health Authority interactions leveraging model-informed approaches

Nice to have

Experience in mRNA or novel therapeutic modalities (e.g. gene therapy, biologics, immuno-oncology); Familiarity with PBPK modeling, virtual populations, or digital-twin simulation; Experience building infrastructure or toolchains for scalable modeling and data integration; Track record of scientific publications and external visibility; A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative

Benefits

Competitive healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs; 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; Potential eligibility for annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award