Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts
Postdoctoral research associate jobs in Massachusetts are concentrated in academic research, biomedical sciences, and life sciences, with the state ranking among the most active markets in the country for early-career researchers. Most openings are in Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester, where institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Massachusetts General Hospital maintain large, sustained research programs. Computational biology, neuroscience, and oncology are among the most in-demand specialties right now. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 81+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
Job Summary
Qualifications
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your CV and cover letter when applying for this position.
In the cover letter, applicants are encouraged to highlight one manuscript (published or preprint) that exemplifies how their research interests and/or expertise are relevant to the position.
This position is contingent on grant funding and the duration of this position is expected to be for 21 months from the start date.
Does this position require Patient Care? No
Primary responsibilities include (1) managing and coordinating data and building the research repository, (2) conducting statistical analyses for the planned aims, and (3) disseminating findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings. The fellow will also receive structured mentorship to support their career development, along with travel funding to present this work at conferences. Additional opportunities for teaching or mentoring students in statistical methods may be available for interested applicants.
The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in quantitative methods and/or psychometrics and a desire to develop further expertise through mentored postdoctoral training. Study methods will include multilevel modeling, Bayesian approaches, and item response theory, primarily implemented in R. Knowledge of motor learning, child speech and language development, phonetics, or related areas is a plus. The position is well suited to applicants with a PhD (or candidacy) in quantitative or developmental psychology, communication sciences and disorders, rehabilitation science, or a related field with a strong quantitative background, as well as applicants trained in statistics or research methods who are interested in applied health research.
Please note that this position has the potential to be fully remote. The anticipated start date is flexible and expected to fall between January and May.
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
The compensation range for this role is between $71,750 - $81,179. Candidate experience is thoughtfully considered throughout the recruitment process, and those with significant experience may be considered for compensation above the starting range listed, as consistent with organizational guidelines and internal equity
Years of experience
0 $71,750 - $73,544
1 $73,544 - $75,382
2 $75,382 - $77,267
3 $77,267 - $79,199
4+ $79,199 - $81,179
Remote Type
Work Location
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Employee Type
Work Shift
EEO Statement:
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.
Job Summary
Qualifications
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your CV and cover letter when applying for this position.
In the cover letter, applicants are encouraged to highlight one manuscript (published or preprint) that exemplifies how their research interests and/or expertise are relevant to the position.
This position is contingent on grant funding and the duration of this position is expected to be for 21 months from the start date.
Does this position require Patient Care? No
Primary responsibilities include (1) managing and coordinating data and building the research repository, (2) conducting statistical analyses for the planned aims, and (3) disseminating findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings. The fellow will also receive structured mentorship to support their career development, along with travel funding to present this work at conferences. Additional opportunities for teaching or mentoring students in statistical methods may be available for interested applicants.
The successful candidate will have a strong foundation in quantitative methods and/or psychometrics and a desire to develop further expertise through mentored postdoctoral training. Study methods will include multilevel modeling, Bayesian approaches, and item response theory, primarily implemented in R. Knowledge of motor learning, child speech and language development, phonetics, or related areas is a plus. The position is well suited to applicants with a PhD (or candidacy) in quantitative or developmental psychology, communication sciences and disorders, rehabilitation science, or a related field with a strong quantitative background, as well as applicants trained in statistics or research methods who are interested in applied health research.
Please note that this position has the potential to be fully remote. The anticipated start date is flexible and expected to fall between January and May.
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
The compensation range for this role is between $71,750 - $81,179. Candidate experience is thoughtfully considered throughout the recruitment process, and those with significant experience may be considered for compensation above the starting range listed, as consistent with organizational guidelines and internal equity
Years of experience
0 $71,750 - $73,544
1 $73,544 - $75,382
2 $75,382 - $77,267
3 $77,267 - $79,199
4+ $79,199 - $81,179
Remote Type
Work Location
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Employee Type
Work Shift
EEO Statement:
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
See All 81 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Associate Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Northeastern University37
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute15
- Umass Lowell7
- Boston College3
- Brigham and Women's Hospital3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Retail
- Technology & Software
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral research associate jobs across Massachusetts.
- PhD in a relevant discipline completed before the appointment start date
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in the candidate's research area
- Experience with grant writing or active participation in funded research projects
- Proficiency in specialized laboratory techniques or computational tools relevant to the position
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting and reporting research findings
- Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams within an academic or research institution
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral research associate in Massachusetts?
You become a postdoctoral research associate in Massachusetts by completing a doctoral degree and applying directly to university or hospital research programs. There is no state-issued license required for the role itself. Most appointments are made through individual principal investigators or department hiring committees at institutions like Harvard, MIT, UMass, or Boston University. A strong dissertation, publications, and a research statement tailored to the lab's focus are the core hiring criteria.
Which companies hire postdoctoral research associates in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts postdoctoral research associate roles are posted by Northeastern University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Umass Lowell and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Massachusetts's dense concentration of research universities, teaching hospitals, and life sciences companies means hiring is active across both academic and industry settings throughout the year.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most postdoctoral research associate jobs?
Boston, Lowell, and Chestnut Hill have the most postdoctoral research associate openings in Massachusetts. Boston and Cambridge dominate because they anchor one of the highest concentrations of research universities, teaching hospitals, and biotech companies in the country, while Worcester draws consistent volume through UMass Medical School and its affiliated research centers.
Are there remote postdoctoral research associate jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, but they're rare. Most postdoctoral research associate work is hands-on and tied to specific labs, instruments, or clinical research sites. About 18% of postdoctoral research associate openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a small share of computational, data science, or bioinformatics-focused appointments where wet lab access is not required.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral research associate in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is to apply before your dissertation defense, as many Massachusetts institutions accept candidates who will complete their PhD within six months of the appointment start date. Reaching out directly to principal investigators at institutions like MIT, Boston Children's Hospital, or the Broad Institute, even before a position is posted, is standard practice in academic research. A preprint, a conference presentation, or a strong recommendation from a doctoral advisor carries significant weight when formal publications are limited.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings in one place. Search the listings for roles that match your research background and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and lab interests.
See All 81 Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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