Entry Level Operations Research Analyst Jobs in Fairhaven, MA

Location: MBL MA
7 MBL Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA

Salary: $90,000 to $110,000 USD. The Marine Biological Laboratory reserves the right to determine final compensation based on a comprehensive evaluation of market data, internal equity, and the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) seeks a highly analytical and collaborative Financial Planning & Research Analytics Analyst to support institutional budgeting, financial planning, sponsored research analysis, cost modeling, and management reporting across the organization.

This position serves as a key analytical resource within Finance and works closely with Research Administration, Principal Investigators, operational departments, and institutional leadership. The successful candidate will assist in the collection, organization, analysis, and presentation of financial, operational, and research-related information that supports strategic planning and institutional decision-making.

The role is ideal for an individual seeking to build expertise in nonprofit finance, sponsored research administration, budgeting, and institutional analytics within a world-renowned biological research institution.

• Assist in the preparation, monitoring, and forecasting of institutional operating budgets, departmental budgets, and financial projections.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting processes by gathering data, preparing analyses, and developing management reports for leadership and department managers.
• Assist with sponsored research financial analysis, including grant forecasting, expenditure monitoring, indirect cost recovery analysis, and financial reporting support.
• Support the development and maintenance of institutional models related to research funding, facilities utilization, shared scientific resources, service centers, housing operations, education programs, and other major institutional activities.
• Participate in the preparation and analysis of the institution's Facilities & Administrative (F&A) Cost Proposal and other indirect cost recovery analyses.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and analytical tools that improve financial visibility and decision-making across the institution.
• Assist in evaluating operational performance, identifying trends, conducting variance analyses, and supporting strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with Finance, Research Administration, Advancement, Facilities, Education, and operational departments to gather data and improve reporting processes.
• Support financial system reporting, data integrity initiatives, and process improvement efforts.
• Prepare presentations, supporting schedules, and analytical materials for senior leadership, Board committees, and institutional planning efforts.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field required.
• One to three years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, accounting, business analytics, institutional research, or related analytical work preferred.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to organize and interpret complex information.
• Advanced Excel skills required, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, and financial modeling concepts.
• Experience working with large datasets and reporting tools preferred.
• Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, or nonprofit financial management preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems, reporting tools, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar analytical platforms is desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.

• Experience in higher education, academic medicine, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, or sponsored research environments.
• Exposure to grants administration, research funding, budgeting, forecasting, or institutional reporting.
• Familiarity with federal grants, indirect cost recovery, research compliance, or scientific operations is beneficial but not required.

The MBL offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience together with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, retirement contributions, generous paid time off, professional development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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