Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts
Research associate jobs in Massachusetts are among the most active in the country, concentrated in life sciences, biomedical research, clinical trials, and academic science, with openings from entry-level lab positions through senior research roles. The heaviest hiring is in Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester, where employers like Pfizer, Broad Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital maintain deep research operations. High-demand specialties include oncology research, genomics, and clinical data coordination. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Research Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 95+ Research Associate jobs
- Review, organize, and analyze economic and financial data.
- Write programs using statistical software such as Stata, MATLAB, R, SAS or Python
- Conduct literature reviews, perform thorough data analysis, and prepare written summaries of results for economists.
- Prepare charts and tables using spreadsheet and data visualization software packages.
- Conduct economic research for policy memos and for articles intended for publication by The Boston Fed, academic journals, and business periodicals.
- Design programs to clean data, perform statistical tests, and run regressions. Update and maintain data series regularly used by economists.
- Proofread, edit, and fact-check articles and papers.
- A bachelor’s degree in economics, math, statistics, computer science, international relations, or related field with concentration in economics.
- Strong analytical, communications, and organization skills.
- Familiarity with programming languages and statistical software packages such as Stata, Python, Matlab, R, and knowledge of statistics and econometrics.
- Prior research or classroom experience analyzing data.
- Research Associate positions require U.S. citizenship.
- Applications must include the following to be considered:
- Cover letter: Cover letters should be addressed to Jeffrey Kelley, Recruiting Manager. It should include your statement of interest in the position, including how a research associate position at the Fed is relevant to your career aspirations, as well as particular qualities or skills that make you a good candidate.
- Résumé: Résumés should include all education information, including institutions attended and areas of concentration, overall undergraduate GPA as well as GPA in your major, graduate GPA (if applicable), computer skills, and relevant work experience.
- Writing sample. Your writing sample should be 3-5 pages, preferably on an economic topic and should include technical content. Writing samples might include papers from undergraduate economics classes or a thesis. Excerpts from longer pieces are acceptable.
- Transcript: We accept unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended as part of your application. If you become a finalist for a position, we will ask that you submit an official transcript.
- Recommendation Letters. Two letters of recommendation are required, one from an economics professor. Letters should be emailed to Sonia Pierre at Bos.RA.Recruiting@bos.frb.org. Please request that they include your name in the subject line of the email.
- Review, organize, and analyze economic and financial data.
- Write programs using statistical software such as Stata, MATLAB, R, SAS or Python
- Conduct literature reviews, perform thorough data analysis, and prepare written summaries of results for economists.
- Prepare charts and tables using spreadsheet and data visualization software packages.
- Conduct economic research for policy memos and for articles intended for publication by The Boston Fed, academic journals, and business periodicals.
- Design programs to clean data, perform statistical tests, and run regressions. Update and maintain data series regularly used by economists.
- Proofread, edit, and fact-check articles and papers.
- A bachelor’s degree in economics, math, statistics, computer science, international relations, or related field with concentration in economics.
- Strong analytical, communications, and organization skills.
- Familiarity with programming languages and statistical software packages such as Stata, Python, Matlab, R, and knowledge of statistics and econometrics.
- Prior research or classroom experience analyzing data.
- Research Associate positions require U.S. citizenship.
- Applications must include the following to be considered:
- Cover letter: Cover letters should be addressed to Jeffrey Kelley, Recruiting Manager. It should include your statement of interest in the position, including how a research associate position at the Fed is relevant to your career aspirations, as well as particular qualities or skills that make you a good candidate.
- Résumé: Résumés should include all education information, including institutions attended and areas of concentration, overall undergraduate GPA as well as GPA in your major, graduate GPA (if applicable), computer skills, and relevant work experience.
- Writing sample. Your writing sample should be 3-5 pages, preferably on an economic topic and should include technical content. Writing samples might include papers from undergraduate economics classes or a thesis. Excerpts from longer pieces are acceptable.
- Transcript: We accept unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended as part of your application. If you become a finalist for a position, we will ask that you submit an official transcript.
- Recommendation Letters. Two letters of recommendation are required, one from an economics professor. Letters should be emailed to Sonia Pierre at Bos.RA.Recruiting@bos.frb.org. Please request that they include your name in the subject line of the email.
See All 95 Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Associate JobsResearch Associate Jobs by City in Massachusetts
Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Associate Job Market in Massachusetts
A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals15
- Education6
- Science & Research4
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
What Massachusetts Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research associate jobs across Massachusetts.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related life sciences field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with standard techniques such as PCR, cell culture, or ELISA
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards
- Experience with data collection, analysis, and scientific documentation in a research setting
- Proficiency with research software such as GraphPad Prism, R, or laboratory information management systems
- Strong written communication skills for preparing protocols, reports, and scientific summaries
Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research associate in Massachusetts?
Most research associate roles in Massachusetts require at least a bachelor's degree in a life science, chemistry, or related field, with many employers preferring candidates who also have direct lab or research experience. Massachusetts does not require a state-issued license for most research associate positions, but roles in clinical research may require Good Clinical Practice certification. Candidates targeting academic medical centers or biotech firms in the Boston and Cambridge corridor often benefit from thesis research, co-op experience, or internships completed through Massachusetts universities.
Which companies hire research associates in Massachusetts?
Employers hiring research associates in Massachusetts right now include Lila Sciences, Umass Lowell, and Northeastern University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Massachusetts's dense concentration of biotech, pharmaceutical, and academic medical institutions means research associate hiring remains consistent across the Boston-Cambridge biotech cluster and hospital-affiliated research programs statewide.
Which Massachusetts cities have the most research associate jobs?
Boston, Cambridge, and Waltham have the most research associate openings in Massachusetts. Boston and Cambridge account for the largest share, driven by the concentration of world-class academic medical centers, biotech campuses, and pharmaceutical headquarters in those cities, while Worcester draws significant hiring through its medical school ecosystem and UMass Memorial Health research programs.
Are there remote research associate jobs in Massachusetts?
Yes, but they're rare. About 42% of research associate openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on, laboratory-based nature of most positions in this field. The sub-specialties most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are clinical data coordination, regulatory affairs support, and scientific writing roles that do not require physical lab access.
How can I get hired as a research associate in Massachusetts with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for research assistant or junior research associate positions at Massachusetts academic medical centers and biotech companies, where new-grad candidates are regularly considered. Institutions like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals run structured programs and frequently post entry-level research roles suited to recent graduates. Completing a co-op through Northeastern University or a thesis project through a University of Massachusetts campus provides the hands-on credential that makes candidates competitive without prior industry employment.
Where can I find and apply to research associate jobs in Massachusetts?
You can find and apply to research associate jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 95 Research Associate Jobs in Massachusetts
Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Associate Jobs