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Research Computing Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

At least 2 3 years of experience in a research computing, IT, or data-intensive environment in a role that included coordination of technical work and direct interaction with end users or ...

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Research Computing information

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$12

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How much do research computing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for research computing in Boston, MA is $24.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.80 and $25.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Research Computing position, and why are they important?

To excel in Research Computing, a strong background in computer science, data analysis, and scientific research methodologies is essential, often supported by an advanced degree in a STEM field. Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) systems, cluster management tools, programming languages (such as Python, R, or C++), and certifications in cloud platforms or data science are commonly required. Effective problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help professionals work closely with researchers and interdisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for supporting complex computational research, ensuring efficient system use, and driving innovation in scientific discovery.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of someone working in Research Computing?

In a Research Computing role, you will often support researchers by managing and optimizing access to high-performance computing resources, troubleshooting technical issues, and assisting with the setup of specialized software or tools. You may also help develop computational workflows, maintain data storage systems, and guide users on best practices for maximizing resource efficiency. Collaboration with scientists, faculty, and IT staff is common, as you play a key role in enabling advanced research projects. This hands-on, problem-solving environment provides opportunities to learn new technologies and contribute directly to impactful scientific work.

What is a Research Computing job?

A Research Computing job involves supporting computational and data-intensive research by providing expertise in high-performance computing (HPC), data management, software development, and cloud technologies. Professionals in this field work closely with researchers to optimize code, manage large datasets, and ensure efficient use of computing resources. They may also develop and maintain computing infrastructure, troubleshoot technical issues, and assist with grant proposals requiring specialized computing capabilities.

What job categories do people searching Research Computing jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Research Computing jobs in Boston, MA are:
Infographic showing various Research Computing job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,215 per year, or $24.1 per hour.
DIRECTOR, Software & Application Innovation Lab, Hariri Institute

DIRECTOR, Software & Application Innovation Lab, Hariri Institute

Boston University

Boston, MA • On-site

$150K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Boston University rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

181st of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description


The Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering (Hariri Institute) is a university-wide research center reporting to the VP for Research. The Institute serves as the university's premiere interdisciplinary hub for education, research, scholarship, innovation, and technology development associated with computing, AI, and data science research. Located in the University's Duan Center for Computing and Data Sciences, the Hariri Institute community consists of over 400 faculty affiliates, 50+ administrative and research staff, 200 graduate students, and over $25 million in annual research expenditure. It is home to 10 initiative areas, including the university's largest industry partnership, the Red Hat Collaboratory, the signature Software and Application Innovation Lab (SAIL), the venerable Center for Information and Systems Engineering, and the Boston Womens Workforce Council, a public/private partnership between Boston University and the City of Bostons Mayors Office for Womens Advancement.
The Software & Application Innovation Lab (SAIL) is a collaborative partner for Boston University faculty and researchers within the Hariri Institute that engages in a variety of activities to encourage, enable, support, and execute research efforts involving technical, data-driven, computational, and software engineering aspects or components.
The Director oversees the overall operations of SAIL, provides code review and project management services to major SAIL projects, and works closely with the Institute's Director to integrate SAIL capacity appropriately throughout the spectrum of research projects and programs at the Institute with a software engineering component. The Director will shape and implement long-term plans for SAIL with regard to prioritizing existing opportunities, managing growth, and developing new opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Ultimately responsible for the success of SAIL, the individual in this role will serve as a key bridge between SAIL and Institute leadership and researchers and larger computing efforts throughout the University. The SAIL Director will coordinate the work with project sponsors, create and maintain interlocking schedules for the SAIL projects, track project interdependencies, maintain and present project status, as well as track, manage, address, and report risks/issues. The SAIL Director will need to have proven experience leveraging the Agile/Scrum methodology to ensure the project delivery, consistent with overall priorities, agreed upon scope, timeframe, and budget. The Director has direct supervision responsibility of the SAIL team including hiring, managing, and developing the employees who are integral to the delivery of projects.
Essential Functions:
  • Contributing to software architecture ideation and design for SAIL projects, performing code review, and acting as technical project manager particularly for complex multi-person and (often multi-team) projects that require coordination among multiple software developers. In this capacity the SAIL Director seeks to shield project PIs from technical details and ensures PI satisfaction with ongoing projects. Manage program portfolios with clients, planning and prioritizing projects, maintaining a program roadmap, and preparing annual planning and budgeting project proposals. Manage multiple projects within SAIL among different project teams, overseeing requirements gathering, project planning, resourcing, execution, change control, issue/risk management, and regular status communication to relevant stakeholders. This position will be responsible for executing all projects using structure approaches like Agile/Scrum and is accountable for ensuring the project activities are productive, positive, and kept within the agreed upon time-box. (35%)
  • Collaborating with faculty affiliates in social, physical, natural, and medical science disciplines with the conception and pursuit of software engineering components of research projects for proposals to extramural funding agencies. (30%)
  • Serving as co-investigator or senior personnel on research projects; identifying funding opportunities and projects and managing growth. Meeting with potential collaborators to assess goals and understand where SAIL can best add value. (15%)
  • Staff Supervision (Assoc. Director, Engineering and associated Software Engineering team). (10%)
  • Strategic planning and collaboration within the larger BU research computing ecosystem, especially related to the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, New England Research Cloud, and/or related regional, or national research computing infrastructure. (5%)
  • Administration: Working with Institute leadership on annual reporting, budget exercises and financial models, and other ad-hoc projects. (5%)

Required Skills
Doctoral degree and 5-8 years of experience required. Successful candidates would have:
  • A deep knowledge of technical architectures and application development tools.
  • A proven track record in delivering applications and prioritizing work via different project/portfolio approaches.
  • Consultative approach to building relationships within an internal community.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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About Boston University

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Boston University is an international, comprehensive, private research university, committed to educating students to be reflective, resourceful individuals ready to live, adapt, and lead in an interconnected world. Boston University is committed to generating new knowledge to benefit society. We remain dedicated to our founding principles: that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international. These principles endure in the University’s insistence on the value of diversity, in its tradition and standards of excellence, and in its dynamic engagement with the City of Boston and the world. Boston University comprises a remarkable range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs built on a strong foundation of the liberal arts and sciences. With the support and oversight of the Board of Trustees, the University, through our faculty, continually innovates in education and research to ensure that we meet the needs of students and an ever-changing world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Boston, MA, US

Year founded

1839

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