The Role:This is an opportunity to lead sponsor-side oversight of critical nonclinical studies that directly influence the advancement of Moderna's innovative mRNA medicines. As the Canada-based study owner, you will provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership across outsourced GLP and non-GLP studies, ensuring every stage-from protocol development through final report-delivers high-quality data that enables strategic decision-making and supports global regulatory submissions.
Working across a highly matrixed environment, you will partner with multidisciplinary scientific teams and external Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to deliver complex development programs. Your expertise in study management, scientific oversight, compliance, and stakeholder leadership will ensure studies remain scientifically rigorous, operationally efficient, inspection-ready, and aligned with Moderna's ambitious development goals. You'll also have opportunities to work alongside teams leveraging advanced digital technologies and Generative AI-enabled tools to enhance study planning, documentation, data review, and operational excellence.
Here's What You'll Do:- Lead sponsor-side oversight of GLP and non-GLP nonclinical studies from protocol development through final report, providing scientific and technical leadership across study rationale, protocol design, endpoint selection, data review, interpretation, and reporting to support critical development and regulatory decisions.
- Serve as the study owner with accountability for study quality, timelines, budgets, deliverables, operational execution, and overall study outcomes.
- Ensure all studies are conducted in compliance with GLP (where applicable), global regulatory expectations, and inspection-ready standards throughout the study lifecycle.
- Provide Canada-based leadership and scientific guidance to Study Monitors, promoting consistency, quality, and operational excellence.
- Act as the primary sponsor contact for Canada-based CROs, building strong collaborative partnerships while ensuring clear communication, documentation of decisions, and appropriate oversight of work performed on Moderna's behalf.
- Develop, negotiate, and review Statements of Work (SOWs), ensuring scope, timelines, budgets, deliverables, change controls, and study objectives remain aligned with program priorities.
- Monitor CRO performance, proactively identify operational or scientific risks, drive issue resolution, and escalate challenges appropriately to maintain study progress.
- Lead protocol development, protocol amendments, deviation management, scientific review, and approval of final study reports.
- Oversee study conduct through continuous review of emerging data, protocol deviations, scientific findings, unexpected observations, inconclusive results, and recommendations for additional analyses or study modifications when appropriate.
- Conduct Canada-based site visits and observe CRO activities as required to ensure effective sponsor oversight.
- Coordinate cross-functional scientific review of protocols, data packages, interim analyses, and final reports.
- Drive alignment across Toxicology, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), Pathology, Bioanalytical, Program Management, Therapeutics, Platform Research, and other key stakeholders to ensure integrated study planning, execution, interpretation, and decision-making.
- Clearly communicate study progress, scientific findings, operational risks, mitigation strategies, and key outcomes to internal stakeholders to support informed business decisions.
- Develop and manage detailed study timelines, budgets, resource plans, and execution strategies focused on efficiency, quality, and impact.
- Maintain complete audit- and inspection-ready documentation, including study records, decision logs, meeting minutes, scientific rationale, reviewed results, conclusions, and recommended next steps.
- Ensure data integrity and robust sponsor oversight throughout every phase of outsourced nonclinical studies.
- Independently manage multiple complex studies, CRO partnerships, vendors, and cross-functional workstreams within a fast-paced matrix organization while exercising sound scientific judgment and operational accountability.
- Apply strong knowledge of GLP regulations and global nonclinical regulatory guidance, including ICH, FDA, and EMA expectations.
- Assess CRO study plans, methodologies, endpoints, and deliverables to ensure they are scientifically appropriate and fit-for-purpose.
- Leverage your understanding of end-to-end nonclinical drug development, including protocol development, test article formulation, handling and testing, in-life procedures, endpoint collection, pharmacokinetic and bioanalytical integration, pathology evaluation, data quality review, and report finalization.
- Influence cross-functional partners and external stakeholders without direct authority, fostering collaboration and delivering results across multiple concurrent programs.
- Thrive in a dynamic environment by adapting quickly to new scientific findings, evolving priorities, and changing development strategies.
- Mentor and support colleagues across the Nonclinical Drug Development Science organization, contributing to a collaborative culture focused on innovation, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and scientific rigor.
The key Moderna Mindsets you'll need to succeed in the role:We behave like owners. The solutions we're building go beyond any job description.
We pivot fearlessly in the face of new data.
Here's What You'll Need (Basic Qualifications)- Bachelor's degree in toxicology, pharmacology, biological sciences, or related discipline with 7+ years of relevant experience in nonclinical drug development; OR Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
- Demonstrated experience serving as a sponsor-side Study Monitor or Study Manager supporting nonclinical GLP and/or non-GLP nonclinical studies.
- Strong working knowledge of GLP regulations and global nonclinical regulatory guidance (ICH, FDA, EMA).
- Experience managing CRO partnerships, including protocol development, study oversight, issue resolution, and report review with ability to assess whether CRO study plans, methods, endpoints, and deliverables are fit-for-purpose for the scientific questions being investigated.
- Demonstrated operational understanding of the end-to-end conduct of nonclinical studies, for example: protocol development, test article formulation, handling and testing, in-life procedures and endpoint collection, pharmacokinetic/bioanalytical integration, pathology evaluation, data quality review, and report finalization.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex studies or workstreams simultaneously within a fast-paced, matrixed development environment.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with attention to detail and commitment to data integrity and compliance.
- Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and external partners without direct authority.
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment, with the agility to quickly pivot in the face of new data and/or strategic directions.
- Proven ability to independently manage studies/projects and partnerships/stakeholders in a remote or hybrid environment, demonstrating strong professional judgment, communication skills, and operational accountability.
- A desire to make an impact as part of a high-growth, transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious, and Collaborative.
Rémunération et avantages sociauxChez Moderna, nous croyons que lorsque vous vous sentez au mieux de votre forme, vous pouvez donner le meilleur de vous-même.C'est pourquoi nos avantages sociaux et nos ressources de mieux-être sont conçus pour vous accompagner, au travail, à la maison et partout entre les deux.- Des soins de santé concurrentiels, ainsi que des programmes d'avantages volontaires adaptés à vos besoins uniques.
- Une approche holistique du bien-être, avec un accès à des services de remise en forme, de pleine conscience et de soutien en santé mentale
- Des avantages pour la construction familiale, y compris un soutien en matière de fertilité, d'adoption et de gestation pour autrui
- Des congés généreux, incluant les vacances, les jours fériés, les journées de bénévolat, les congés sabbatiques, les journées mondiales de ressourcement, ainsi qu'une fermeture discrétionnaire en fin d'année
- Des solutions d'épargne et d'investissement pour vous aider à planifier votre avenir
- Des avantages et extras spécifiques à chaque lieu
Les avantages offerts peuvent varier en fonction de la nature de votre emploi chez Moderna et du pays dans lequel vous travaillez
Pay & BenefitsAt 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.
