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Research Associate Jobs in Somerville, MA (NOW HIRING)

Stratevi Job Opening Senior 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 ...

About the Opportunity Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate with strong research interests and expertise in investigating the social ...

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 ...

Research Associate

Boston, MA · On-site

$62K - $100K/yr

We are looking for a motivated Research Associate to join our operations team in Newton. This is a laboratory-based position, in which the candidate will focus on customer sample preparation and HPLC ...

We are looking for a motivated Research Associate to join our operations team in Newton. This is a laboratory-based position, in which the candidate will focus on customer sample preparation and HPLC ...

Research Associate

Boston, MA · On-site

$62K - $100K/yr

We are looking for a motivated Research Associate to join our operations team in Newton. This is a laboratory-based position, in which the candidate will focus on customer sample preparation and HPLC ...

The Goodwill Computing Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The Goodwill Computer Lab researches on a variety of computer systems topics including HPC resilience, data center power management ...

Showing results 21-40

Research Associate information

See Somerville, MA salary details

$17

$35

$51

How much do research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for research associate in Somerville, MA is $35.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.61 and $40.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research associate?

Research Associates are professionals who support research projects in academic, scientific, or business settings. They assist with designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports or publications. Research Associates often work under the supervision of principal investigators or senior researchers, contributing their expertise to advance the goals of the project. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the field, but typically involve both administrative and hands-on research tasks.

What does a research associate do?

As a research associate, you conduct research and analysis as directed by a senior researcher or project manager. Researchers work in a number of fields, including medical science, the social sciences, natural sciences, finance, management, and academia. Your specific duties and responsibilities differ depending on the field in which you work, but some features of your work are similar across industries. You typically do primary and secondary source research, organize and process data, analyze said data, and report on your findings to lead researchers or clinicians.

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

To thrive as a Research Associate, you need a strong background in research methodology, data analysis, and subject-specific knowledge, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), laboratory equipment, and research databases is often essential. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and clear written and verbal communication skills set outstanding Research Associates apart. These skills ensure accurate data collection, effective collaboration, and the production of reliable, impactful research outcomes.

What are some typical challenges a research associate might face when managing multiple research projects simultaneously?

As a Research Associate, juggling multiple projects often requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. You might encounter challenges such as balancing deadlines, coordinating with various team members, and adapting to shifting project goals or data requirements. Effective communication and proactive time management are essential to ensure each project progresses smoothly and meets its milestones. Many teams use project management tools and regular check-ins to help mitigate these challenges and support collaboration.

What is the difference between Research Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in relevant fieldMaster's or PhD in relevant field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research institutions, universitiesLaboratories, research institutions, industry settings
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, government, non-profitAcademic, industry, biotech, pharma
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Research Associate and a Research Scientist lies in their educational requirements and level of experience. Research Associates typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and assist in research projects, while Research Scientists usually have a PhD and lead research efforts. Both roles work in similar environments like labs and research institutions, but Research Scientists often have more independence and responsibility.

What qualifications do you need to be a research associate?

Research associates typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as science, engineering, or social sciences. Many positions prefer or require a master's degree or higher, along with strong analytical skills, proficiency with research tools, and experience in data collection and analysis.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in Somerville, MA?

The most popular types of Research jobs in Somerville, MA are:

What cities near Somerville, MA are hiring for Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Somerville, MA with the most Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Associate job openings in Somerville, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,864 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Research Associate/Sr. Research Associate- Strain and Enzyme Engineering

Manus

Waltham, MA

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Research Associate / Senior Research Associate – Strain and Enzyme Engineering-Waltham, MA

Manus works across industries and value chains to accelerate the transition to BioAlternatives – better performing and more sustainable versions of complex molecules traditionally sourced from plants, animals, or fossil fuels. Our platform is proven to work across scales, bridging the Valley of Death between lab and manufacturing more efficiently and more reliably to deliver the benefits of biotechnology today.

Manus is seeking a Research Associate (RA) or Senior Research Associate (SRA) to support strain engineering and analytics workflows within our project pipeline. In this role, you will design and construct plasmids, generate chromosomally integrated Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains, culture and screen engineered strains, and process the resulting analytical data (liquid extraction, Gas Chromatography (GC) and/or Liquid Chromatography (LC)) to identify strains with enhanced performance. This role focuses on execution of defined engineering campaigns to drive meaningful improvements in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

This hands-on position requires a desire and ability to work as an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, as well as the demonstration of a high degree of flexibility, creativity, and initiative. This person will be expected to play an integral part of Manus’s research and development team located in Waltham, Massachusetts (MA).

Responsibilities

Molecular biology: Design, construct, and validate plasmids for gene expression and pathway engineering in microbial hosts.

Strain construction: Generate chromosomally integrated E. coli strains (e.g., via recombineering or CRISPR-based methods) to support strain engineering campaigns.

Strain cultivation: Culture and maintain engineered E. coli strains in solid and liquid formats at lab scale.

Sample preparation: Perform liquid-liquid or solid-phase extraction of fermentation broth and other sample matrices to prepare samples for analytical testing.

Analytical execution: Operate GC and/or LC instrumentation to generate quantitative data on strain performance (e.g., titer, yield, product profile).

Data analysis: Process, QC, and interpret analytical and strain-performance data; summarize and present findings to the project team.

Data management: Ensure accurate data collection, processing, and upload to LIMS systems.

Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (molecular biology, fermentation, downstream processing) to improve experimental outcomes.

Lab operations: Maintain instrumentation readiness and general lab organization.

Documentation: Author and update SOPs and experimental documentation.

Basic Qualifications

  • Research Associate: Bachelor’s degree with 0–4 years’ relevant experience.
  • Senior Research Associate: Bachelors with 4–7 years’ or master’s with 2–4 years’ relevant experience.
  • Degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, bioengineering, or a related field (field of degree is flexible; relevant hands-on experience is prioritized).
  • Hands-on experience with plasmid design and cloning (e.g., Gibson assembly, Golden Gate, restriction/ligation).
  • Experience culturing and screening engineered microbial strains in liquid and/or solid formats.

Preferred Skills

  • Direct experience generating chromosomal integrations in E. coli specifically (e.g., lambda Red recombineering, CRISPR-based integration).
  • Experience with LIMS systems (e.g., Benchling).
  • Data analysis and visualization experience (e.g., JMP, Python, SQL).
  • Familiarity with GC-MS or LC/MS (mass-selective detection) in addition to GC-FID or standard LC/UV-Vis workflows.
  • Experience with sample extraction (liquid-liquid or solid-phase) from biological or fermentation matrices.
  • Experience with automated liquid-handling systems.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to work in industrial environments.
  • May require standing, walking, climbing stairs, and lifting equipment up to 50 lbs.
  • Use of PPE required in designated areas.