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Lab Head Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Merck Group

Head of Science Operations

Billerica, MA · On-site

In our Boston-area autonomous make-and-test lab, automated synthesis, analytical characterization, and biological readout come together to accelerate discovery. Your Role We are hiring a Head of ...

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking a research technician to join the Lab for Antibody and ... Head of Research and other key personnel to help oversee the maintenance of accurate laboratory ...

Zealandpharma

Global Head of Drug Substance

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$251K - $307K/yr

Your new position Zealand Pharma is looking for a Global Head of Drug Substance - Senior Director ... Establish and lead the Peptide Process Development lab in Boston, including hiring and developing a ...

Zealand Pharma

Global Head of Drug Substance

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$251K - $307K/yr

Your new position Zealand Pharma is looking for a Global Head of Drug Substance - Senior Director ... Establish and lead the Peptide Process Development lab in Boston, including hiring and developing a ...

Zealand Pharma

Global Head of Drug Substance

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$251K - $307K/yr

Your new position Zealand Pharma is looking for a Global Head of Drug Substance - Senior Director ... Establish and lead the Peptide Process Development lab in Boston, including hiring and developing a ...

Helical

Head of Sales

Boston, MA · On-site

Helical is building the AI-native lab for biology; replacing slow, costly wet lab experimentation ... We're hiring a Head of Sales to own new business and build Helical's commercial function from the ...

Helical

Head of Sales

Boston, MA · On-site

Helical is building the AI-native lab for biology; replacing slow, costly wet lab experimentation ... We're hiring a Head of Sales to own new business and build Helical's commercial function from the ...

Helical

Head of Sales

Boston, MA · On-site

Helical is building the AI-native lab for biology; replacing slow, costly wet lab experimentation ... We're hiring a Head of Sales to own new business and build Helical's commercial function from the ...

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All JobsLab Head JobsLab Head Jobs in Massachusetts

Lab Head information

See Massachusetts salary details

$10

$27

$49

How much do lab head jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab head in Massachusetts is $27.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.01 and $30.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lab head?

A Lab Head is a senior researcher or scientist who leads a laboratory or research group, typically within an academic, medical, or industrial setting. They are responsible for overseeing research projects, securing funding, managing staff and resources, and setting the scientific direction of the lab. Lab Heads often mentor students and junior researchers, publish findings, and collaborate with other scientists. Their leadership is crucial for driving innovation and ensuring successful project outcomes.

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

To thrive as a Lab Head, you need advanced scientific expertise in your field, a relevant doctoral degree, and a strong background in experimental design and data analysis. Familiarity with laboratory management software, safety compliance systems, and grant-writing platforms is typically required. Outstanding leadership, communication, and team-building skills help foster a productive research environment and guide junior scientists. These skills ensure that the lab operates efficiently, produces high-quality research, and maintains funding and compliance standards.

What are some common challenges faced by lab heads in managing research teams, and how can they be addressed?

Lab Heads often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with hands-on research, managing diverse team dynamics, and securing consistent funding for projects. Effective communication and delegation are vital for keeping projects on track while supporting team members' professional growth. Building a collaborative environment and regularly reviewing goals can help address conflicts and ensure that research objectives are met efficiently. Additionally, staying proactive about grant applications and networking within the scientific community can help sustain funding and foster new opportunities for the team.

What is the difference between Lab Head vs Laboratory Manager?

AspectLab HeadLaboratory Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (PhD, MD)Usually requires a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field
Work EnvironmentLeads research teams, oversees scientific projectsManages daily lab operations, staff, and resources
Industry UsageCommon in research institutions, universities, biotech companiesFound in clinical labs, industrial labs, research facilities

The main difference between a Lab Head and a Laboratory Manager lies in their focus and responsibilities. A Lab Head primarily leads research efforts, sets scientific direction, and often holds advanced degrees. In contrast, a Laboratory Manager handles operational aspects, staff management, and day-to-day lab functions. Both roles are essential but serve different strategic and operational purposes within laboratory settings.

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

The most popular types of Lab jobs in Massachusetts are:

Lab Head jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lab Head job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,354 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Head of Science Operations

Billerica, MA • On-site

Merck Group
See more jobs at Merck Groupexternal

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Serono.
Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you've got big plans - so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people's lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.
United As One for Patients, our purpose in Healthcare is to help create, improve and prolong lives. We develop medicines, intelligent devices and innovative technologies in therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Neurology and Fertility. Our teams work together across 6 continents with passion and relentless curiosity in order to help patients at every stage of life. Joining our Healthcare team is becoming part of a diverse, inclusive and flexible working culture, presenting great opportunities for personal development and career advancement across the globe.
About AIDD
AI & Automation in Drug Discovery (AIDD) at EMD is building and scaling AI-driven and automated discovery capabilities. We connect machine learning, computational science, and lab automation to enable closed-loop chemistry and biology experimentation and faster, higher-quality scientific decisions. In our Boston-area autonomous make-and-test lab, automated synthesis, analytical characterization, and biological readout come together to accelerate discovery.
Your Role
We are hiring a Head of Science Operations to lead the Make and Test engine at the heart of AIDD. Reporting directly to the head of AIDD, this is a senior scientific leadership role with direct responsibility for a team of medicinal and synthetic chemists, biologists, and automation scientists. . You will oversee end-to-end experimental design and execution quality, R&D timelines and roadmaps, SOPs and data integrity in addition to scaling the team, and serving as the scientific voice of AIDD to customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
  • Scientific ownership of Make and Test workflowOwn experimental design and execution for autonomous chemical synthesis and biological testing, ensuring high-quality data, and timely results.
  • Lab operations governanceDevelop and maintain SOPs, QC metrics, safe-lab practices, and data lineage; drive continuous improvement and compliance.
  • Throughput, capacity, and resource planningBuild and maintain capacity models; collaborate with Automation to scale workflows without compromising data integrity.
  • Platform collaboration and roadmap inputPrioritize scientifically impactful platform enhancements; translate lab needs into actionable requirements for software and automation teams. Build and manage scientific roadmap, ensuring adherence to timelines for assay onboarding and capability enhancements.
  • External partnerships and vendor governanceManage scientific alignment with CROs, vendors, and academic partners; define SLAs, knowledge transfer, and quality controls.
  • Talent, capability building, and cultureHire, onboard, and develop senior scientists in Chemistry and Biology; establish performance rhythms and cross-functional teamwork norms; scale team from 5 to 10.

Who You Are: Minimum Qualifications
  • PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field
  • At least 8 years of relevant industry experience in pharma, biotech, or CRO, with a demonstrated track record of scientific leadership in discovery programs.
  • Hands-on expertise in chemistry and/or biology assay development; proven ability to optimize complex workflows with data-driven decision making.
  • Experience leading and developing science teams; ability to recruit, mentor, and retain senior scientific talent.
  • Proven ability to communicate science clearly to customers, partners, and non-scientific stakeholders.
  • Experience with lab operations governance: SOPs, QC metrics, data lineage, safety, and compliance in a high-throughput setting.

Preferred Requirements
  • Experience integrating Chemistry and Biology in an autonomous or closed-loop discovery setting.
  • Familiarity with retrosynthesis tools, high-throughput chemistry platforms, and automated bioassay systems.
  • Comfort with ELN/LIMS, data lineage, metadata schemas, and basic AI/ML data interfaces; ability to partner effectively with data and software teams.
  • Prior external-facing or partner-facing scientific leadership for platform-scale programs.
  • Experience with budget ownership, vendor management, and contract scoping in a scientific operations context.

What We Offer
  • A seat on the AIDD leadership team, shaping the scientific direction of a first-in-class autonomous drug discovery platform.
  • Direct influence over how Chemistry and Biology science is designed, executed, and connected to AI/ML at scale.
  • An interdisciplinary team with deep science, engineering, software, and data expertise, operating at the frontier of autonomous drug discovery

Location
This is a fully on-site role based in Billerica, MA. Travel is expected to be limited and mainly related to vendor interactions, partner engagements, or key scientific milestones.
Pay Range: $159,300-$220,100
The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites. For more information click here.
What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!
Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!

Apply