1

Cancer Research Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Cancer Research information

See Rochester, MN salary details

$25.4K

$87.1K

$184.3K

How much do cancer research jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for cancer research in Rochester, MN is $87,101.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,800.00 and $109,601.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cancer Research vs Cancer Biologist?

AspectCancer ResearchCancer Biologist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a PhD or Master's in biology, biochemistry, or related fieldsUsually holds a PhD in biology, biochemistry, or molecular biology
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research institutions, pharmaceutical companiesLaboratories, academic institutions, research centers
Employer & Industry UsageResearch organizations, biotech firms, universitiesAcademic labs, research institutes, biotech companies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared with Cancer Biologist due to overlapping roles in research

While both Cancer Researchers and Cancer Biologists work in laboratory settings focusing on cancer, Cancer Researchers often have broader roles including clinical trials and drug development, whereas Cancer Biologists primarily focus on understanding the biological mechanisms of cancer at the cellular and molecular levels.

How much do cancer researchers get paid?

Cancer researchers' salaries vary based on experience, education, and location, but typically range from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Entry-level positions often start around $50,000, while experienced researchers with advanced degrees can earn over $100,000, especially in research institutions or pharmaceutical companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cancer Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cancer Researcher, you need a strong background in biomedical sciences, laboratory techniques, and often a PhD or relevant graduate degree. Familiarity with molecular biology tools, statistical analysis software, and laboratory information management systems is typically required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help researchers design studies, analyze data, and collaborate effectively. These skills are vital for advancing cancer understanding, developing new treatments, and contributing to impactful scientific progress.

How do you become a cancer researcher?

To become a cancer researcher, typically one needs a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology or chemistry, followed by a master's or Ph.D. in cancer biology, molecular biology, or a related discipline. Gaining laboratory experience, developing skills in data analysis, and staying current with scientific literature are also important for advancing in this field.

What are typical collaboration opportunities for professionals working in cancer research?

Professionals in cancer research frequently collaborate with multidisciplinary teams that include clinicians, pathologists, bioinformaticians, and laboratory technicians. These collaborations are essential for translating laboratory findings into clinical applications, designing effective studies, and analyzing complex data sets. Team meetings, joint grant proposals, and co-authored publications are common, providing valuable opportunities for professional growth and learning from experts in related fields. This collaborative environment also allows researchers to contribute to larger projects and stay updated with the latest advancements in oncology.

What careers are in cancer research?

Careers in cancer research include roles such as research scientist, clinical researcher, laboratory technician, and data analyst. These positions often require knowledge of biology, chemistry, or medicine, and may involve working in laboratories, hospitals, or research institutions to develop treatments and understand cancer mechanisms.

Can you do cancer research without a PhD?

Cancer research roles often require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology or chemistry, but many positions, especially laboratory technician or research assistant roles, do not require a PhD. These roles typically involve supporting experiments, data collection, and analysis, and may require specific technical skills or certifications. Advanced research positions, such as principal investigator or senior scientist, usually require a PhD.

What is cancer research?

Cancer research is the scientific study of cancer, including its causes, development, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Researchers in this field work to understand how cancer cells grow and spread, and they develop new methods for detecting and treating different types of cancer. This work can involve laboratory experiments, clinical trials, and the analysis of patient data. The ultimate goal of cancer research is to improve patient outcomes and find cures or more effective therapies for cancer.
What job categories do people searching Cancer Research jobs in Rochester, MN look for? The top searched job categories for Cancer Research jobs in Rochester, MN are:
What cities near Rochester, MN are hiring for Cancer Research jobs? Cities near Rochester, MN with the most Cancer Research job openings:
Infographic showing various Cancer Research job openings in Rochester, MN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,101 per year, or $41.9 per hour.
Open Rank Faculty Position in Head and Neck Surgery Research

Open Rank Faculty Position in Head and Neck Surgery Research

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, MN

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago


Mayo Clinic rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 687 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

104th of 877 rated healthcare providers


Job description

The Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic is seeking an exceptional principal investigator in the field of Head and Neck Cancer Diseases.

 The ideal candidate will be an outstanding scholar with a record of exceptional achievement and demonstrated ability to for successful collaborations. The ideal candidate will be a mid-career Ph.D trained basic scientist with a track record of substantial extramural funding including NIH or NIH-equivalent funding. 

To align with our Head and Neck Disease Group (DG) priority of bringing cutting edge discoveries to our patients through advanced clinical trials, we are seeking a translational scientist with expertise in biomarkers of Head and Neck cancer/pre-cancer, immuno-oncology, cellular engineering in head and neck cancer, genetics, virology, and/or cancer vaccine development. We seek to identify an early to mid-career investigator who would collaborate with our DG multi-disciplinary team, would be able to serve as a mentor to promote junior faculty development and grant writing, and would provide much needed insight and internal know how to advance the science of head and neck cancer at Mayo Clinic. 

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Otolaryngology at Mayo Clinic is ranked 4th in the U.S. News & World Report. Our department is actively engaged in multidisciplinary partnerships across the institution.  Clinically we have several highly functioning multidisciplinary clinics and teams which are able to accrue patients effectively and rapidly to prospective clinical trials with significant experience in a wide range of sample collection and rapid processing. We have four full time clinical research coordinators within our department, relationships with two biostatisticians to support our research efforts, and strong relationships with the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center for clinical trial activation. As a high-volume surgical team, we have access to both significant archival and fresh tissue from a wide range of tumor types.  We are actively investigating tumor microenvironments, methylation markers, circulating tumor DNA, machine learning algorithms to analyze digitized histology, tumor microenvironments, and imaging modalities. 

Beyond the research capabilities, we have resources for commercialization. Mayo Clinic Ventures is our in-house, mission-driven, global leader in research and technology commercialization, known for its rigorous approach to bringing inventions to market. Mayo Clinica Ventures develop, manage, protect and license technology that saves lives and advances patient care.

We offer a highly competitive compensation package with sustained intramural funding, competitive start-up funding, dedicated laboratory facilities, capital equipment funding, technical and computational resources, and exceptional benefits. 

Why Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans - to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can build a long, successful career with Mayo Clinic.

Benefits Highlights
  • Medical: Multiple plan options.
  • Dental: Delta Dental or reimbursement account for flexible coverage.
  • Vision: Affordable plan with national network.
  • Pre-Tax Savings: HSA and FSAs for eligible expenses.
  • Retirement: Competitive retirement package to secure your future.
Just as our reputation has spread beyond our Minnesota roots, so have our locations. Today, our employees are located at our three major campuses in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, Jacksonville, Florida, Rochester, Minnesota, and at Mayo Clinic Health System campuses throughout Midwestern communities, and at our international locations. Each Mayo Clinic location is a special place where our employees thrive in both their work and personal lives. Learn more about what each unique Mayo Clinic campus has to offer, and where your best fit is. 

Equal Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Learn more about the "EOE is the Law".  Mayo Clinic participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Credentials of a successful candidate will include:

  • MD and/or PhD
  • Demonstrated evidence of an independent research program
  • Record of extramural funding consistent with or preferably exceeding the candidate's career stage is expected
  • National recognition/experience in the field 
  • Strong track record of publication. 

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans - to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can build a long, successful career with Mayo Clinic. You'll thrive in an environment that supports innovation and provides the resources you need to succeed.

Mayo Clinic is an integrated, multidisciplinary academic medical center with over 4,000 physicians and scientists in a unified multi-campus system. This unique environment brings together the best in patient care, groundbreaking research and innovative medical education. We embrace collegial relationships among campuses (Arizona, Florida and Minnesota) allowing for best practices and innovation to help solve the most serious complex medical challenges-one patient at a time. Three site collaboration with innovative, compassionate, integrated multispecialty approaches that are paramount to providing world-class medical care to each of our patients. 

We support a vibrant and diverse research enterprise, with programs in basic, translational, clinical, and population sciences. In 2023, the institution received over $689 million in extramural research awards, supplemented with over $446.4 million of institutional support. Laboratories and shared resource facilities are state-of-the-art, including those for microscopy and imaging, cell and molecular biology, animal models, production of iPS cells and clinical grade MSCs, biomedical engineering and mathematics, materials testing, a Medical Genomics Facility, a Mouse Modeling Facility, Molecular and Microscopic Core Facilities, and unique Human Disease Tissue Banks. Mayo Clinic supports innovation and has a wealth of resources available - including an integrated EMR. 

Applications should include a CV with Bibliography, Cover Letter, References and Statement of Research Interests

Questions related to the posting should be directed to: 

Natalie Brewster

Physician/Scientist Recruiter

Brewster.natalie@mayo.edu


What Mayo Clinic employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Mayo Clinic logo

About Mayo Clinic

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Mayo Clinic is the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world. We're building the future, one where the best possible care is available to everyone — and more people can heal at home. Our relentless research turns into earlier diagnoses and new cures. That's how we inspire hope in those who need it most. At Mayo Clinic, experts work together to solve the most challenging unmet needs of patients. Our history of innovation dates back almost 150 years, when brothers Will and Charlie Mayo pioneered an integrated, team-based approach to medicine. Today, that trailblazing spirit drives innovations like Mayo Clinic Platform — which powers new technologies to change how care is delivered to all.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Rochester, MN, US

Year founded

1919