Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs
Research Associate, Life Sciences jobs are open from entry-level to senior across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and academic research, with common specializations in molecular biology, cell biology, and genomics. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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INTRODUCTION
As announced in 2024, a new Life Sciences Building is rising on Johns Hopkins’ East Baltimore medical campus, creating space for more than 1,200 lab benches and 920 scientists pursuing foundational biomedical research. This building will anchor a major new life sciences effort centered on rapidly developing technologies in imaging, artificial intelligence, and genetics—fields where scientists are making discoveries at a record-breaking pace. It expands on Johns Hopkins’ extraordinary leadership across the life sciences: 29 Nobel Prize-winning affiliates (including 16 in Physiology or Medicine), decades as the nation’s leading recipient of NIH funding, and a deeply embedded culture of translating discovery into advances that shape clinical care and advance public health worldwide.
To sustain strategic investments in infrastructure, training, and cross-divisional collaboration, Johns Hopkins is establishing a Life Sciences Research Initiative to accelerate discovery across the full continuum of life sciences, from basic science to clinical application and translation. These efforts will unite life sciences research across all Johns Hopkins’ academic divisions. By launching innovative funding programs, they will invest extensively over multiple years in strategically chosen research areas and also provide smaller, high-impact awards to fund bold, investigator-driven projects.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Johns Hopkins University seeks an accomplished executive to serve as the inaugural Managing Director, Life Sciences Research Initiative. This is a rare opportunity to launch a new initiative in support of one of the world’s leading universities in life sciences.
Reporting directly to the Director, the Managing Director will serve as the senior operational and administrative leader, translating scientific vision into organizational reality. The Managing Director assumes broad responsibility across these initiatives, including day-to-day operations, strategic planning and execution, institutional relationships, budget stewardship, and staff leadership—enabling the Director to provide scientific leadership, advance strategic vision, and build a high-impact research enterprise. They will serve as a critical liaison between the life sciences and its university partners, governing bodies, and external stakeholders.
The ideal candidate is an experienced organizational leader with a track record of building and running complex, mission-driven enterprises. They will bring sound administrative judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively across a large, decentralized university with multiple stakeholders. Familiarity with academic research environments, life sciences, or related sectors is highly valued.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership
- Partner with the Director to develop, update, and operationalize strategic plans, including mission, vision, goals, programs, organizational structures, and budgets.
- Oversee execution of strategy across all programmatic and operational areas, translating goals into actionable initiatives.
- Establish and maintain robust systems for tracking key performance indicators, timelines, and outcomes; prepare regular reports for the Director, governance committees, advisory boards, and university leadership.
- Identify emerging organizational needs and recommend adaptive strategies to ensure responsiveness, innovation, and long-term impact.
- Cultivate an organizational culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability across all Institute operations.
Institutional Leadership and Administration
- Advise the Director on organizational priorities, resource allocation, governance, and stakeholder engagement; represent the Institute in key internal and external meetings.
- Lead internal governance processes, including oversight committees, advisory boards, and related charters, agendas, and reporting.
- Direct recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and performance management for the core operations team, fostering a high-performing, mission-aligned workforce.
- Develop and maintain initiative-wide policies, procedures, and administrative practices to ensure effective and compliant operations.
- Oversee budget strategy, financial management, and communications strategy in coordination with central university offices as Institute capacity develops.
- Coordinate with Facilities and Real Estate on planning, construction, and occupancy of the Life Sciences Building, serving as a point of contact for relevant committees and decisions.
Programs, Events, and Academic Initiatives
- Oversee planning and execution of programming, including symposia, workshops, conferences, seminar series, and public events for faculty, fellows, students, and external leaders.
- Manage operational administration of research funding programs, including award processes, reporting, and alignment with strategic priorities.
- Facilitate integration of programming and resources across divisions, departments, and research centers to activate cross-disciplinary collaboration.
External Relationships and Resource Development
- Develop and maintain a robust network of external relationships with peer institutions, federal agencies, foundations, industry partners, and philanthropic organizations to advance collaboration and mission.
- Support philanthropic, translational, and industry engagement activities in coordination with the Director, University Development and Alumni Relations, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, and other relevant university partners.
- Ensure alignment and coordination with related initiatives, institutes/centers, and university leadership offices to maximize complementary impact and avoid duplication.
- In partnership with the Director, maintain regular engagement with key university leadership offices—including the President’s Office, Provost’s Office, relevant Deans, Human Resources, General Counsel, Information Technology, Government Affairs, and Central Finance and Administration—to align Institute activities with institutional priorities and policies.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced Degree required; an MBA, MPA, MPH, or doctoral degree in a relevant field strongly preferred.
- Fifteen plus years of progressively responsible experience in organizational leadership, strategy, and administration.
- Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder organizations or initiatives with significant budgets.
- Experience in higher education, academic research, life sciences, or a closely related sector.
- Proven track record in communications strategy, planning, and execution.
- Experience supporting or leading fundraising, development, and external partnership efforts.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder organizations or initiatives with significant budgets.
- Experience in higher education, academic research, life sciences, or a closely related sector.
- Proven track record in communications strategy, planning, and execution.
- Experience supporting or leading fundraising, development, and external partnership efforts.
- Prior experience serving in a senior operational role within a research institute, academic center, or comparable enterprise.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans in dynamic, mission-driven environments.
- Experience with budgeting, financial planning, and resource stewardship at an organizational level.
- Familiarity with research administration, including grants, contracts, and compliance in academic or government-funded settings.
- Experience with translational research, technology transfer, or industry-academic partnerships.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfortable engaging at executive and public-facing levels.
- Experience engaging with diverse constituencies, including university leadership, faculty, government officials, industry partners, foundations, and donors.
- Proven skill in staff management, team development, and fostering collegial, high-performance cultures.
- Ability to navigate and succeed within large, complex, decentralized organizations with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Entrepreneurial orientation with capacity to identify opportunities, build programs from the ground up, and drive results in fast-paced environments.
Please be aware that our employment offer is contingent upon the successful completion of our pre-employment process, including criminal background, education, employment, and reference checks. This will require you and your references to answer questions regarding substantiated findings of serious misconduct.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $250,000 - $325,000.
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE EQUIVALENCY
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.
APPLICANTS COMPLETING STUDIES
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit: https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.
VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
Johns Hopkins University requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.
The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.
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Who's Hiring
- Guidehouse24

- Thermo Fisher Scientific13

- Indiana University9

- Genentech6

- Kennesaw State University5

Top Industries Hiring
- Education122
- Consulting & Professional Services40
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals32
- Science & Research31
- Healthcare & Medical Services17
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research Associate, life sciences jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in biology, biochemistry, or a related life sciences field
- Hands-on experience with standard molecular biology techniques such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culture
- Proficiency in laboratory data recording and maintaining accurate experimental notebooks
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice or Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines
- Experience operating and maintaining laboratory instruments including spectrophotometers or flow cytometers
- Ability to analyze experimental data using statistical software or scientific data analysis tools
Tips for Your Research Associate, Life Sciences Job Search
Tailor your resume to each assay
Hiring managers scan for the specific techniques you've run hands-on, not just lab experience in general. List each assay, instrument, or platform you've operated, such as flow cytometry, Western blot, or qPCR, and note the context in which you used it.
Highlight GLP and GMP exposure early
Regulated biotech and pharma postings screen hard for Good Laboratory Practice and Good Manufacturing Practice familiarity. If you've worked under either framework, call it out in your summary and in the relevant role description so it's visible before a recruiter scrolls.
Filter openings by research phase
Research associate, life sciences roles in early discovery look very different from those supporting late-stage clinical or process development. Narrow your search by reading the pipeline stage or department name in each posting so your application matches the actual work environment.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research associate, life sciences openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a bench skills narrative for interviews
Interviewers often ask you to walk through an experiment from start to troubleshooting. Practice describing a real protocol you've optimized or a failure you diagnosed, focusing on your reasoning at each decision point rather than just the outcome.
Negotiate start date before accepting
Life sciences employers often move slowly on onboarding paperwork, IRB clearances, or lab access credentials. Confirm the actual bench start date, not just the offer date, so you're not waiting weeks without pay or clear direction on day one.
Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research associate, life sciencess?
The most active employers for research associate, life sciencess right now are Guidehouse, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Indiana University, and the most openings are in California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Demand tends to concentrate at contract research organizations, large pharmaceutical companies, and biotech startups with active pipelines.
How many research associate, life sciences jobs are remote?
About 6% of research associate, life sciences openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which is lower than most professional roles because hands-on bench work is required for the majority of positions. Bioinformatics, regulatory affairs support, and data analysis sub-roles within life sciences are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a research associate, life sciences?
Most research associate, life sciences roles require at minimum a bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a closely related field, combined with hands-on laboratory experience gained through coursework, internships, or undergraduate research programs. Building proficiency in techniques like cell culture, PCR, and assay development is essential. A master's degree strengthens candidacy for roles in more specialized or regulated settings such as clinical research or biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Can you get a research associate, life sciences job with little or no experience?
Entry-level research associate, life sciences positions do exist and are often filled by recent graduates who can demonstrate hands-on lab skills from academic research or internships, even if they have no industry experience. Emphasizing specific techniques you've performed, any publications or poster presentations, and familiarity with lab documentation practices will strengthen your application against candidates with more years on the clock.
What does the research associate, life sciences interview process look like?
Most hiring processes for research associate, life sciences roles begin with a recruiter or HR phone screen focused on your background and availability, followed by a technical interview with the hiring manager or a senior scientist where you'll discuss specific experiments, troubleshooting approaches, and relevant techniques. Some employers include a brief lab practical or ask you to present a past project. A final round with team members or leadership typically closes the process before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to research associate, life sciences jobs?
You can find and apply to research associate, life sciences jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and goals.
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