Research Scientist, Boyer Lab
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MAFull-time$74–111K/yrSeen 2 days agoSeen in employer's feed 2 days ago
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Job overview
The Research Scientist will lead research across the Boyer, Boyden, and Ovchinnikov laboratories to develop and validate synthetic high-refractive-index proteins for improving transparency in living tissues. The role includes designing cellular screening assays, integrating microscopy and computational predictions, validating candidates in three-dimensional tissue models, and developing imaging and analysis methods. The scientist will coordinate research teams, mentor technical staff, and contribute to publications and open-science initiatives.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
Research Scientist, Boyer Lab
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Job Number: 26191
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Functional Area: Research - Scientific
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Department: Biology
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School Area: Science
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Pay Range Minimum: $74,000
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Pay Range Maximum: $111,000
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Employment Type: Full-Time
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Employment Category: Exempt
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Visa Sponsorship Available: Yes
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Schedule:
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Pay Grade: No Grade
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Posting Description
RESEARCH SCIENTIST 2, Biology, lead research efforts across the Boyer, Boyden, and Ovchinnikov laboratories to design, characterize, and validate synthetic high-refractive-index proteins for improving transparency in living tissues. Responsibilities include designing and optimizing cellular screening assays to evaluate protein expression, subcellular localization, phototoxicity, and refractive index changes across cell types and culture conditions. The scientist will analyze screening results, integrate microscopy data with computational protein design predictions, and guide iterative candidate selection and refinement. Will establish and characterize three-dimensional tissue models, including organoids, engineered tissues, and ex vivo tissue explants, to validate protein performance in living systems. Responsibilities also include developing genetic delivery strategies, conducting live-tissue imaging, quantifying improvements in transparency and imaging depth, and assessing tissue viability and safety. Additional duties include developing quantitative image analysis pipelines, integrating imaging and biophysical data, generating publication-quality figures and datasets, and preparing technical reports. Will coordinate experimental priorities and resources across computational, experimental, and animal-testing teams; troubleshoot and optimize laboratory protocols; and mentor technical staff. Will also present research findings at meetings and conferences, contribute to scientific manuscripts, and support open-science initiatives by sharing protocols, constructs, and analytical tools with the broader research community.
The full job description here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:cddbe215-fb85-438f-8207-38620d9e52e6
Job Requirements
REQUIRED: Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Biophysics, Optical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, or related; a minimum of four years of related experience in a research environment, experience in live-cell/tissue imaging or protein characterization preferred; advanced microscopy, quantitative image analysis, mammalian cell culture, genetic delivery, and 3D tissue systems; demonstrated strong experimental design, statistical analysis, troubleshooting, scientific writing, and collaboration skills. PREFERRED: Experience in protein design, synthetic biology, machine learning, and interdisciplinary leadership.
10/29/2026
How this job compares
Set against the 2,217 open Research Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 2, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$74–111K/yr
- Massachusetts median$103–131K/yr98 salary ranges
- US median$149–225K/yr1,448 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $93K, is 26% below the Massachusetts median midpoint ($125K) — in the middle half of Research Scientist salary ranges in Massachusetts.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 124 open Research Scientist jobs in Massachusetts and 2,217 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (this employer)17 open
- Harvard University14 open
- Amazon8 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 4 years of experience; Research Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for 4 years at the median (1,188 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 816 of the 2,217 open Research Scientist jobs (37%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 2, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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