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Machine Learning Researcher Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Neurable, INC

Machine Learning

Cambridge, MA

We are currently looking for a Machine Learning Scientist/Researcher to join our team. We would like to advance our current methods of identifying brain activity, using novel machine learning ...

Neurable, INC

Machine Learning

Cambridge, MA · On-site

We are currently looking for a Machine Learning Scientist/Researcher to join our team. We would like to advance our current methods of identifying brain activity, using novel machine learning ...

Motional

Machine Learning Systems Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$144K - $192K/yr

You will work at the intersection of machine learning research and high-performance systems engineering. Your work will directly impact our ability to scale large-scale distributed model training and ...

Motional

Machine Learning Systems Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$144K - $192K/yr

You will work at the intersection of machine learning research and high-performance systems engineering. Your work will directly impact our ability to scale large-scale distributed model training and ...

Suno

Machine Learning Scientist

Boston, MA · On-site

... research team. The role involves ownership of technical decisions for building and deploying ... machine learning models, requiring a strong background in data engineering and model training.

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All JobsMachine Learning Researcher JobsMachine Learning Researcher Jobs in Boston, MA

Machine Learning Researcher information

See Boston, MA salary details

$32.6K

$122.9K

$178.7K

How much do machine learning researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for machine learning researcher in Boston, MA is $122,867.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,800.00 and $167,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Machine Learning Researchers face when transitioning from academic research to industry roles?

Machine Learning Researchers often find that transitioning to industry involves adapting to faster project timelines, collaborative workflows, and a focus on scalable, real-world solutions rather than theoretical advances alone. In industry, you'll likely work closely with cross-functional teams, such as software engineers and product managers, to ensure models are both practical and maintainable. Balancing innovation with business objectives, handling production constraints, and communicating complex findings to non-technical stakeholders are some of the key challenges you may encounter.

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

To thrive as a Machine Learning Researcher, you need deep expertise in mathematics, statistics, programming (typically Python), and a strong academic background in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch and experience with tools for data analysis and model development are standard, often supported by advanced degrees or relevant certifications. Critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication are vital soft skills for developing novel solutions and collaborating across interdisciplinary teams. These skills enable researchers to design innovative algorithms, validate models rigorously, and contribute impactful advancements in the field.

What is the difference between Machine Learning Researcher vs Data Scientist?

AspectMachine Learning ResearcherData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees in CS, ML, or related fields; research experienceDegree in CS, statistics, or related; strong analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, R&D departmentsBusiness environments, tech companies, consulting
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, tech firmsCorporations, startups, finance, healthcare
Common Search & ComparisonFocus on theoretical ML advancementsFocus on data analysis & business insights

While both roles involve working with data and algorithms, Machine Learning Researchers primarily focus on developing new algorithms and advancing ML theory, often in research or academic settings. Data Scientists apply these techniques to analyze data, generate insights, and support business decisions in industry environments.

What does a Machine Learning Researcher do?

A Machine Learning Researcher designs, develops, and tests algorithms and models that allow computers to learn from and make decisions based on data. They often work on advancing the field by exploring new methods, improving existing algorithms, and publishing their findings. These researchers collaborate with engineers and data scientists to apply their research to practical problems in areas like computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics. Their work typically involves a combination of mathematics, statistics, programming, and experimentation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Boston, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Boston, MA? For Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Machine Learning Researcher jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Machine Learning Researcher jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Machine Learning Researcher job openings:
Machine Learning Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Machine Learning Researcher job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $122,867 per year, or $59.1 per hour.
Machine Learning Engineer - Computational Drug Discovery

Machine Learning Engineer - Computational Drug Discovery

5AM Ventures

Watertown, MA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Our team is dedicated to the development of a broad pipeline of small molecules powered by unique chemistry insights to address a wide range of highly unmet clinical needs.  Our company was created within 5AM Ventures' 4:59 Initiative in 2023.  
The computational team has roots from D. E. Shaw Research, one of the most rigorous computational science environments in the world. You will work directly with and learn from scientists who have operated at the frontier of computational drug discovery.

Your Role

This role sits at the intersection of machine learning research and the experimental teams that rely on computational tools to drive scientific decisions. Your primary responsibility will be ensuring that cutting-edge models move from research into production-reliably, maintainably, and in forms that scientists can effectively use.

For the right candidate, this is an unusually high-impact position. The systems you build will directly influence molecule triage, experimental prioritization, and the pace of scientific discovery. At many organizations, engineers are several layers removed from scientific decision-making. At our team, that distance is effectively zero.

We value ownership, initiative, and execution. Strong performers will have opportunities to grow into areas such as machine learning research, cheminformatics, AI-driven drug discovery, or agent development. The exact trajectory is flexible and can be shaped around individual strengths and interests.

Your Responsibilities
  • Own and maintain production machine learning infrastructure, ensuring models developed by the research team are robust, maintainable, and deployable
  • Develop computational tools, data pipelines, and machine learning systems that support scientific workflows across chemistry and biology
  • Collaborate closely with chemists and biologists to understand requirements and translate them into effective software solutions
  • Design and build internal AI agents and automation systems, with substantial opportunity to define both the technical direction and user experience
  • Write clean, well-tested, version-controlled code and contribute to a strong engineering culture through code review and technical collaboration
Your Background & Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Data Science, or a related technical field
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals, including code quality, testing, version control, and CI/CD practices
  • Hands-on experience developing machine learning systems using PyTorch
  • Familiarity with undergraduate-level organic chemistry; you do not need to be a chemist, but should be comfortable working with molecular structures and chemical concepts
  • Ability to communicate effectively with scientific collaborators from non-programming backgrounds
  • Strong sense of ownership and the ability to independently drive ambiguous projects from concept to completion
  • We are particularly excited to bring in people who enjoy turning research ideas into tools that scientists actually use. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating across disciplines, takes pride in building reliable systems, and appreciates the opportunity to have a direct impact on scientific decision-making.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience with AWS, MLflow, SQL, Polars, pandas, Ray, or scikit-learn
  • Familiarity with LLM tooling, AI agents, or agent development frameworks
  • Background in cheminformatics, computational biology, bioinformatics, or related fields
  • Experience working in a startup, research, or other highly iterative technical environment

We believe great people do their best work when they're supported. That's why we offer competitive compensation, meaningful equity, comprehensive health benefits, generous time off, professional development opportunities, and the flexibility to do your best work.

In addition to base salary each role has a bonus target to share in company success as well as ownership through equity.

We also provide a full benefits package that is effective from your first day of hire that includes:

  • Medical/Dental insurance with the company covering 90% of your premiums 
    • Fully-funded HSA to cover your deductible responsibility
  • 100% Company-paid life insurance regardless if electing benefits
  • Free parking on-site 
  • Unaccrued vacation time, with the expectation for employees to take at least 3 weeks annually
  • 401k program, employee funded
  • Weekly catered team lunch
  • On-site fitness center with free classes and amenities

 We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies and external recruiters. No fees will be paid for such submissions.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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