ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Structural Biologist Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Jj

Director, Protein Sciences

Cambridge, MA

D. in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Protein Engineering, or a related discipline is required. * A minimum of 10 years of experience in biologics discovery or protein sciences is required.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsStructural Biologist JobsStructural Biologist Jobs in Boston, MA

Structural Biologist information

See Boston, MA salary details

$20

$38

$54

How much do structural biologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for structural biologist in Boston, MA is $38.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.63 and $43.94 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a structural biologist?

To thrive as a Structural Biologist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein chemistry, usually supported by a PhD in a relevant field. Proficiency with techniques such as X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and computational modeling software is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills for interpreting complex data and collaborating on research projects. These skills are essential for accurately elucidating biomolecular structures, advancing scientific knowledge, and driving innovation in drug discovery and biotechnology.

What are some common challenges structural biologists face when collaborating on interdisciplinary research projects?

Structural biologists often work closely with computational scientists, chemists, and clinicians to interpret and apply structural data. A common challenge in these collaborations is effectively communicating complex structural information to colleagues outside the field, ensuring that findings are accurately understood and integrated into broader research goals. Additionally, coordinating project timelines and data sharing across diverse teams can require strong organizational skills and adaptability. Building mutual understanding and setting clear expectations at the outset can help overcome these challenges and foster productive interdisciplinary work.

What is the difference between Structural Biologist vs Molecular Biologist?

AspectStructural BiologistMolecular Biologist
Required CredentialsTypically a Ph.D. in biochemistry, biophysics, or related fieldsUsually a Ph.D. or Master's in biology, biochemistry, or related areas
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, biotech companies focusing on 3D structuresLabs, research institutions, focusing on gene and protein functions
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, academia, structural research

While both roles involve biological research, Structural Biologists specialize in determining the 3D structures of biomolecules, often using techniques like X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM. Molecular Biologists focus on understanding gene and protein functions at the molecular level. The two roles often overlap but differ mainly in their focus and methods used.

How much does a structural biologist make?

A structural biologist's salary varies based on experience, education, and location, but typically ranges from $60,000 to $120,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with advanced skills in techniques like X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM can earn higher salaries, especially in research or industry settings.

Is structural biology in demand?

Structural biologists are in demand in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms, as their expertise in techniques like X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy is essential for drug development and understanding biological mechanisms. The field offers opportunities for employment with advanced degrees and proficiency in specialized tools. Growing interest in personalized medicine and structural analysis continues to drive job opportunities in this area.

What does a structural biologist do?

A structural biologist studies the 3D structures of biological molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and complexes using techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy. Their work helps understand how these molecules function and interact, which can inform drug design and disease research. They often work in research labs, collaborating with chemists and biologists, and require strong skills in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Structural Biologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Structural Biologist job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,346 per year, or $38.6 per hour.

Senior / Principal Scientist, Structural Biology - Target Druggability & Structure-Based Drug Design

Schrödinger

Framingham, MA • On-site

$135K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Schrödinger seeks a Senior or Principal Scientist in Structural Biology (Target Druggability and Structure-Based Drug Design) to join us in our mission to transform the discovery of therapeutics and materials!
Schrödinger has pioneered a physics-based software platform that enables discovery of high-quality, novel molecules for drug development and materials applications more rapidly and at lower cost compared to traditional methods. The software platform is used by biopharmaceutical and industrial companies, academic institutions, and government laboratories around the world. Our multidisciplinary drug discovery team also leverages the software platform to advance collaborative programs and its own pipeline of novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs.As a member of our Structural Biology and Target Enablement team in our Therapeutics Group, you'll partner with Molecular Pharmacologists, Biologists, Medicinal Chemists, and Computational Chemists to define target tractability strategies, identify and validate novel and cryptic binding sites, and design and supervise experimental campaigns to solve unprecedented structures that unlock previously intractable targets. Sitting at the interface of computation and experiment, you'll be as comfortable proposing in silico-predicted binding site hypotheses as you are designing and executing the experimental structural biology strategies to test them.
Who will love this job:
  • A scientist with a track record of success in assessing and expanding oral drug tractability for challenging and undrugged targets
  • A structural and computational biology expert who's familiar with Schrödinger's platform (Glide, FEP+, BioLuminate, Prime, etc.) or comparable structure-based design software
  • A veteran of computational-experimental hybrid work in biotech, pharma, or an SBDD-focused software company
  • A researcher who has worked on modality-switch programs (e.g., biologic-to-small-molecule or PROTAC/molecular glue strategies)
  • An excellent scientific communicator who has presented target tractability assessments to senior stakeholders and defended hypotheses under scientific scrutiny

What you'll do:
  • Define druggability hypotheses for difficult-to-drug targets by integrating structural, computational, biophysical, and pharmacological evidence
  • Apply and advance computational methods, including AI/ML approaches, for structure prediction and refinement, small-molecule binding site identification (including cryptic and transient pockets), pocket druggability scoring, and conformational sampling of target ensembles
  • Translate structural and computational insights into actionable hypotheses for medicinal chemistry and biology teams, proposing specific experiments (biophysical, structural, or computational) to test and de-risk emerging druggability hypotheses
  • Evaluate and integrate emerging methods (e.g., generative structure prediction, cryptic pocket detection, MD-based ensemble docking, AI-based binding site/ligandability prediction) into practical workflows
  • Present target tractability assessments to project teams, portfolio review committees, and leadership, communicating complex structural/computational rationale clearly to non-specialist audiences
  • Lead experimental structural biology efforts on active target enablement and drug discovery programs, managing work at external CROs, collaborating with our internal Structural Biology team, and/or directly performing hands-on experiments at our internal laboratory
  • Contribute to Schrödinger's broader platform strategy, feeding practical, target-tractability-driven requirements back into internal software and methods development

What you should have:
  • PhD (or equivalent industrial experience) in Structural Biology, Biophysics, Computational Chemistry, or a related discipline
  • Deep, hands-on expertise in structure-based drug design, including practical experience with cryptic/transient binding site identification and pocket druggability assessment
  • Working fluency in modern computational structural biology methods, such as AI-based structure prediction, MD-based conformational sampling, binding site/pocket detection algorithms, and structure refinement
  • Direct experience designing, executing, and interpreting cryo-EM and/or X-ray crystallography experiments, including strategies for capturing difficult, dynamic, or novel structural states

Pay and perks:
Schrödinger understands it's people that make a company great. Because of this, we're prepared to offer a competitive salary, stock options, and a wide range of benefits that include healthcare (with dental and vision), a 401k, pre-tax commuter benefits, a flexible work schedule, and a parental leave program. We have catered meals in the office, a company culture that is relaxed but engaged, and over a month of paid vacation time.
Estimated base salary range: $135,000 - $190,000. Actual compensation package is dependent on a number of factors, including, for example, experience, education, degrees held, market data, and business needs. If you have any questions regarding the compensation for this role, do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our Strategic Growth team.
Sound exciting? Apply today and join us!
As an equal opportunity employer, Schrödinger hires outstanding individuals into every position in the company. People who work with us have a high degree of engagement, a commitment to working effectively in teams, and a passion for the company's mission. We place the highest value on creating a safe environment where our employees can grow and contribute, and refuse to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious belief, sex, age, disability, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. To us, "diversity" isn't just a buzzword, but an important element of our core principles and key business practices. We believe that diverse companies innovate better and think more creatively than homogenous ones because they take into account a wide range of viewpoints. For us, greater diversity doesn't mean better headlines or public images - it means increased adaptability and profitability.

Apply