1

Associate Researcher Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Position Details Title OpenDP Research Associate School Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Department/Area OpenDP Position Description The OpenDP Project at Harvard ...

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Boston, MA · On-site

$59K - $83K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work on projects that informs the design and evaluation of culturally responsive communication interventions to advance the health and well-being of health ...

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Boston, MA

$59K - $83K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work on projects that informs the design and evaluation of culturally responsive communication interventions to advance the health and well-being of health ...

About the Role As our first Research Associate, you will play a foundational role in building the operational infrastructure that makes Nourish's prospective clinical research possible -- owning the ...

Stratevi Job Opening Research Associate Who We Are As the name 'Stratevi' suggests, we seamlessly combine Strategy and Evidence. We are a boutique firm that partners with biotechnology ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Researcher information

See Massachusetts salary details

$32.8K

$123.5K

$179.7K

How much do associate researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate researcher in Massachusetts is $123,521.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,200.00 and $168,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate researcher?

Associate Researchers are professionals who assist in conducting scientific studies, experiments, or investigations in a specific field. They typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator or senior researcher, helping with data collection, analysis, and documentation. Their responsibilities can also include preparing laboratory materials, conducting literature reviews, and ensuring compliance with research protocols. Associate Researchers are often found in academic, government, or private sector research settings and may have a background in science, engineering, or social sciences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate researcher?

To thrive as an Associate Researcher, you need a strong background in scientific methodology, data analysis, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree in your field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software (like SPSS or R), and research management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication help you collaborate and contribute meaningful insights to research projects. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing valid, reliable results and advancing the goals of research teams.

What are some common challenges associate researchers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Associate Researchers often juggle several projects at once, which can be challenging in terms of time management and prioritization. Balancing deadlines, coordinating with various team members, and ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis requires strong organizational skills. Proactive communication with supervisors and collaborators is essential to manage expectations and address any bottlenecks early. Utilizing project management tools and regularly updating progress can help alleviate these challenges and keep research activities on track.

What is the difference between Associate Researcher vs Research Assistant?

AspectAssociate ResearcherResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree, research experienceTypically Bachelor's degree, entry-level
Work EnvironmentIndependent research, data analysis, project managementSupporting research tasks, data collection
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, corporate R&DUniversities, labs, research projects

The main difference between an Associate Researcher and a Research Assistant lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Researchers usually have more research experience, handle independent tasks, and contribute to project design, while Research Assistants support data collection and basic tasks. Both roles are common in academic and research settings, but Associate Researchers typically have higher qualifications and more autonomy.

What are the most commonly searched types of Researcher jobs in Massachusetts?

The most popular types of Researcher jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Associate Researcher jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Associate Researcher job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Researcher job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,521 per year, or $59.4 per hour.

OpenDP Research Associate

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$68K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position
Details
Title
OpenDP Research Associate
School
Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Department/Area
OpenDP
Position Description
The OpenDP Project at Harvard University seeks to hire a Research Associate to work with faculty directors Gary King and Salil Vadhan and the OpenDP Community to formulate and advance the scientific goals of OpenDP and solve research problems that are needed for its success. OpenDP is a community effort to build trustworthy, open-source software tools for statistical analysis of sensitive private data, offering the rigorous protections of differential privacy for individuals who may be represented in confidential data and statistically valid methods of analysis for researchers who study the data.
Key responsibilities include working with the OpenDP team, our collaborators and community members on applying differential privacy in building software tools for data science problems, writing grant applications for fundraising and outreach, and serving as the scientific point of contact and fulcrum with use case partners and DP subject matter experts.
It is expected that the Research Associate will regularly write and publish research papers related to their work with OpenDP. Up to 20% of their time can be spent on their own independent research projects, a percentage that can be increased if funding is raised to support such work.
Basic Qualifications
Candidates are required to have a PhD and at least three years of postdoctoral experience.
Additional Qualifications
Candidates should have familiarity with differential privacy and one or both of the following:
  • Experience with implementing software for data science, privacy, and/or security, and an interest in contributing to the development of the OpenDP codebase.
  • Experience with applied statistics, and an interest in working with domain scientists to apply OpenDP software to data-sharing problems in their field.

Special Instructions
Required application materials include a cover letter; an updated curriculum vitae; a two-to-four page statement on research and applications discussing both past accomplishments and current and future areas of interest; links to at most three research papers or software products. Please submit the names and contact information for three references.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting January 15, 2026, until the position is filled, so candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Contact Information
Salil Vadhan
Office 3.327
Harvard Science and Engineering Complex
150 Western Ave
Boston, MA 02134
Contact Email
info@opendp.org
Salary Range
$68,821 - $95,000
Pay offered to the selected candidate is dependent on factors such as rank, years of experience, training or qualification, field of scholarship, and accomplishments in the field. There is an expectation that the selected candidate will work with the OpenDP team to raise funding for future support.
Minimum Number of References Required
3
Maximum Number of References Allowed
3
Keywords

What Harvard University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom