Twelve years running: what Moderna's Science Top Employer listing says about scientist hiring

Moderna has been listed among the top employers in the global biopharma industry by *Science* and Science Careers for the twelfth year in a row, the company announced on 23 October. The recognition comes from the 2026 Top Employers Survey, which has run for more than 20 years and identifies the 20 pharma and biotech companies with the strongest reputations as employers.

What respondents rated

Moderna says it was recognised for its corporate image, its leadership and direction, and its work culture. The company ties that to its reputation for innovation and quality research, a focus on continuous improvement and a collaborative, data-driven way of working. Its announcement does not say where Moderna placed in this year's ranking; the full list is published by Science.

"Being a top employer starts with the strength of our people and what we can accomplish together" Tracey Franklin, Chief People and Digital Technology Officer, Moderna

Who took part

About 5,100 people completed the survey, drawn from Science readers and other invitees. Most were based in North America (71%), with 19% in Europe and 6% in Asia and the Pacific Rim. That makes it a view from the scientific workforce itself, rather than from HR teams or investors.

Why reputation matters for hiring

Employer reputation increasingly decides who applies at all. Research compiled by Pin found that about 86% of employees and job seekers check company reviews and ratings when deciding where to apply, and 71% of Glassdoor users think better of a company that responds to reviews.

That matters in a market where volume is not the issue. BioSpace found that biopharma applications outnumbered live job postings in every month of 2025. The challenge for most employers is not attracting applicants but attracting the right scientists, and the factors this survey measures, such as leadership, research quality and culture, are the ones those scientists say they weigh.