20 Moderna Interview Questions and Answers

Moderna is a cutting-edge biotechnology company that is leading the way in messenger RNA research and development. If you are lucky enough to score an interview with Moderna, you can expect to be asked some tough questions about your experience and qualifications. In this article, we will give you a head start by providing some sample Moderna interview questions and answers.

Moderna Interview Process

The interview process at Moderna can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screening, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be required to complete an assessment.

Overall, the interview process is generally smooth and efficient. However, some candidates have reported feeling rushed or that the interviewer was not fully prepared. It is important to remember that Moderna is a young company that is still growing rapidly. As such, they may be less organized than some other companies. However, they are typically very transparent and friendly throughout the interview process.

1. Why do you want to work at Moderna?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the company and its mission. When preparing for this interview, make sure you read about Moderna’s values and goals so that you can connect with them in your answer.

Example: “I want to work at Moderna because I am passionate about helping people live healthier lives. In my last position as a research scientist, I worked on developing new treatments for cancer, which was very rewarding. However, I feel like Moderna has even more potential to help patients by discovering new ways to treat disease based on RNA.”

2. Do you have experience with cell culture or bioprocessing?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the necessary skills and experience for this role. Cell culture and bioprocessing are two important processes in drug development, so it’s essential that employees understand how they work. If you don’t have any experience with these processes, consider taking some online courses or reading books on the subject.

Example: “I do not have direct experience with cell culture or bioprocessing, but I am familiar with the basics of both. In my previous position, we worked with messenger RNA, which was very similar to what Moderna does. I would be happy to take additional training classes to learn more about these processes.”

3. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you would interact with your team members and other employees at Moderna. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you demonstrated leadership skills or qualities.

Example: “I believe that my leadership style is collaborative in nature. I like to work alongside my team members to find solutions to problems and develop new ideas for projects. In my previous role as a research scientist, I led a small team of scientists who were working on developing a drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease. We had many different opinions about what we should do, but I always encouraged everyone to share their thoughts and opinions so we could come up with the best solution.”

4. What is the most challenging project that you have worked on?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you overcame a challenge or faced a setback and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “The most challenging project I have worked on was when my team had to create a new drug for a client who needed it within six months. We were already working on several other projects at the time, so we had to work extra hard to meet our deadline. In order to do this, we all agreed to take on more hours and delegate tasks among ourselves. By delegating tasks, we were able to complete the project in five months instead of six.”

5. Describe a time where you had to take initiative in a situation, what did you do and why?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to take the lead in order to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Example: “In my previous role as a research scientist, I was working on a project that required me to find new ways to treat cancer cells. After researching for several weeks, I realized there were no existing drugs that could help with our current project. In this situation, I decided to create my own drug by combining two different medications together. This process took longer than expected, but after testing the medication, we found that it worked well at treating cancer cells.”

6. Tell me about a time when you were stressed out by multiple tasks, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stress and your ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you were stressed out but still managed to complete all of your tasks successfully.

Example: “In my last position as a research scientist, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. One day, I received an urgent request from one of my team members who needed assistance with their project. I immediately stopped what I was doing and helped them finish their task so they could meet their deadline.”

7. Give us an example of how you solved a problem creatively.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you used creativity to solve a problem that was unique or challenging.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to find a way to make sure our company’s software could run on multiple operating systems without having to spend too much money on new hardware. After some research, I found out that there were ways to modify the software so it would work with different operating systems. This saved us thousands of dollars each year.”

8. What are your short term and long term career goals?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a plan for your career and how it aligns with Moderna’s goals. When answering this question, consider what skills you can develop in your current role that will help you achieve your long-term goals.

Example: “My short term goal is to become proficient in my current role so I can contribute to the company’s success. My long-term goal is to advance into a management position where I can use my leadership skills to mentor other employees.”

9. What kind of projects excite you?

This question can help the interviewer understand what kind of work you’re passionate about and how your skills could benefit Moderna. When answering, consider which projects you’ve worked on in the past that were most interesting to you and why.

Example: “I’m excited by any project where I get to use my problem-solving skills. In my last role, I was tasked with finding a way to reduce production costs for one of our products. After researching several different methods, I found a way to cut production costs by 20% without sacrificing quality. This is an example of when I felt like I made a real difference at my job.”

10. How much experience do you have working in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important part of working at Moderna Therapeutics. The company values collaboration and teamwork, so it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your experience with this during the interview process. When answering this question, try to highlight your ability to work well with others and collaborate on projects.

Example: “I’ve worked in a team environment for most of my career. In my last position as a research scientist, I was part of a large team of scientists who all had different roles but were focused on the same goal. We collaborated often and shared our ideas and findings with each other throughout the day. I enjoy working in a collaborative setting where everyone can learn from one another.”

11. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced working as a research associate?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example from your past experience that highlights how you overcame the challenge or what steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “One of the biggest challenges I faced working as a research associate was when my supervisor asked me to find new ways to reduce costs while maintaining quality in our drug development process. After researching different methods for reducing costs, I found that we could save money by outsourcing some of our testing procedures overseas. This allowed us to cut back on expenses without sacrificing quality.”

12. If hired, what would be your approach to designing new RNA therapies?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the company’s work and how you would apply it in a professional setting. Your answer should include specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to create new therapies.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating RNA-based therapeutics that could be used as treatments for cancer. My approach was to first identify the most effective messenger RNAs that were already present in the body. Then, I developed drugs that would activate these naturally occurring RNAs to treat the disease.”

13. Have you ever been a part of a failed experiment? How did you deal with it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain how you used the experience to improve your future experiments or projects.

Example: “In my first year of college, I was working on an experiment that involved growing bacteria in different temperatures. My hypothesis was that higher temperatures would lead to faster growth. However, when I tested my results, they showed no significant difference between the two temperatures. After speaking with my professor, we realized that I had forgotten to include one of the variables in my experiment. Once I added the variable, my results were as expected.”

14. How well do you think you would fit into our company’s culture?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on Moderna Therapeutics and are excited about working for them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the company culture that appeal to you.

Example: “I think I would fit in well at Moderna Therapeutics because of its focus on innovation and collaboration. In my last position, I was able to work with a team of scientists who were all very passionate about their work. We often brainstormed new ideas together and shared our findings with each other so we could learn from one another. I feel like these qualities are important when working in a biotechnology setting.”

15. Can you tell us about a time when you had to learn something quickly?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your ability to learn new things and adapt to different situations. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your ability to quickly learn something new, solve problems and apply what you’ve learned to future tasks.

Example: “When I first started working as an assistant in my current position, I had to learn how to use several software programs for data entry and analysis. At first, it was challenging to remember all of the steps involved with each program, but after practicing on some smaller projects, I got used to using them regularly. Now, I’m able to complete most tasks without having to refer back to the instructions.”

16. In drug development, communication is key. How do you plan to communicate effectively if hired?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you plan to use them in a team setting.

Example: “I have experience working with teams of all sizes, so I know that effective communication is key for success. In my previous role, I was the lead on a project where we had to communicate our progress to upper management every week. To ensure everyone understood what we were doing, I created weekly reports that included updates on our research, any challenges we faced and our plans moving forward. This helped me build rapport with my coworkers and develop strong relationships with my managers.”

17. Are you passionate about science?

This question is a great way to determine if you are truly interested in the company’s mission and goals. If you’re interviewing for a science-based position, it’s important that you show your passion for the field. When answering this question, make sure to discuss how you got into science and why you enjoy learning about new things.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about science. Ever since I was young, I loved learning about the world around me. My parents encouraged my curiosity by taking me to museums and letting me watch educational shows on TV. As an adult, I decided to pursue a career in science because I wanted to help people understand their bodies better.”

18. When given a task, how do you go about completing it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work as part of a team and complete projects. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the steps you take when starting a new task or project.

Example: “When given a task, I first make sure that I understand what exactly I am being asked to do. Then, I break down the task into smaller parts so that I can better manage my time and stay on track with my goals. Finally, I set deadlines for myself so that I can meet the expectations of my supervisors.”

19. What is the last book you read for fun?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person. They want to see that you are passionate about something and have interests outside of work. It’s important to read books for fun, but if you don’t have time to do so, it’s okay to say that you haven’t had time in recent months or years.

Example: “The last book I read for fun was The Martian by Andy Weir. I love science fiction and space travel, so this book really spoke to me. I also loved how he used his scientific background to create such an interesting story.”

20. How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you learn new information and adapt to changes in your field. Use examples of how you’ve used industry publications, conferences or other resources to stay up-to-date on recent developments in biotechnology.

Example: “I have a subscription to several journals that publish research about RNA technology. I also subscribe to newsletters from Moderna Therapeutics and other companies that specialize in this type of drug development. In addition, I attend at least one conference every year where I can meet with professionals who are working in the same field.”