Research Specialist Jobs in Massachusetts

Research Specialist jobs in Massachusetts are in strong demand, concentrated in biomedical research, healthcare policy, social sciences, and higher education, with openings at every level from entry-level research assistant through senior investigator. The largest hiring markets are Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester, where institutions like Mass General Brigham, Harvard University, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute maintain deep, ongoing research operations. The most sought-after specialties in Massachusetts include clinical research, public health data analysis, and laboratory-based biomedical investigation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles35
Top employerDana-Farber Cancer Institute
Top cityBoston, MA
Cities hiring7
Work type46% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 35+ Research Specialist jobs

Boston University
Research Specialist I, Geriatrics
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Boston University
Added 1d ago
Research Specialist I, Geriatrics
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
IT Support
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Massachusetts General Hospital
Research Specialist
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Added 1d ago
Research Specialist
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$63k - $103k/yr
On-Site
Master's

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Boston University
Senior Specialist, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety AVP Research Compliance
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Boston University
Added 2d ago
Senior Specialist, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety AVP Research Compliance
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Human Resources
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Professional Development Specialist I - Research Nursing (Multi-Site)
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Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Added 4d ago
Professional Development Specialist I - Research Nursing (Multi-Site)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
$113k - $134k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor of Science
1,001-5,000

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Harvard University
Research and Data Specialist
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Harvard University
Added 4d ago
Research and Data Specialist
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Teaching & Instruction
Hybrid
Master's degree in information science
1,001-5,000

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See All 35 Research Specialist Jobs in Massachusetts

Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Research Specialist Jobs by City in Massachusetts

Where Massachusetts roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Cambridge
7 jobs
Somerville
2 jobs
Lowell
1 job
Methuen
1 job
Brookline
1 job
Burlington
1 job

Research Specialist Job Market in Massachusetts

A snapshot from current Massachusetts openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute9 open roles
Boston University
Boston University7 open roles
Iterative Health
Iterative Health2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Staffing & Recruiting

What Massachusetts Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across Massachusetts.

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant scientific, social science, or public health field
  • Experience designing or executing quantitative and qualitative research studies
  • Proficiency with data analysis tools such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Python
  • Familiarity with IRB protocols and research compliance standards
  • Strong scientific writing skills for reports, grants, or peer-reviewed publications
  • Ability to manage multiple research projects and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams

Research Specialist Jobs in Massachusetts: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research specialist in Massachusetts?

Most research specialist roles in Massachusetts require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a related field such as biology, public health, psychology, or social science, with a master's degree preferred for clinical or policy-focused positions. Massachusetts does not issue a state license specific to the research specialist title, but positions in clinical research often expect certification through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals. Gaining experience through university labs, hospital research programs, or public health agencies is the standard path.

Which companies hire research specialists in Massachusetts?

Employers hiring research specialists in Massachusetts right now include Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston University, and Iterative Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Massachusetts's concentration of academic medical centers, life sciences companies, and public health agencies means demand is distributed across a broad mix of institutional and private-sector employers.

Which Massachusetts cities have the most research specialist jobs?

Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville account for the most research specialist openings in Massachusetts. Boston and Cambridge dominate because of their density of academic medical centers, biotechnology firms, and universities, while Worcester draws significant hiring through UMass Memorial Health and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, anchoring a secondary research corridor in central Massachusetts.

Are there remote research specialist jobs in Massachusetts?

Yes, and more than many comparable roles, particularly for positions focused on data analysis, literature review, policy research, or survey-based studies. About 54% of research specialist openings tied to Massachusetts are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how much analytical and writing-intensive research work can be done off-site. Roles that require laboratory work, patient contact, or specimen handling remain predominantly on-site.

How can I get hired as a research specialist in Massachusetts with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a research coordinator or research assistant role at a hospital system or university, where formal mentorship structures exist. Mass General Brigham, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Broad Institute regularly bring on candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and no prior professional research experience through their new-graduate research coordinator pipelines. Completing a thesis project, a public health internship, or a clinical trials volunteer placement builds the portfolio that gets these applications noticed.

Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in Massachusetts?

You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in Massachusetts on Migrate Mate, which lists current Massachusetts openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings for roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 35 Research Specialist Jobs in Massachusetts

Find roles in Massachusetts that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Specialist Jobs