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Structural Biology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Biologist

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$85K - $141K/yr

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in structural biology methods, independent data analysis, and effective collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams. This is a full-time, on-site ...

Biologist

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$85K - $141K/yr

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in structural biology methods, independent data analysis, and effective collaboration with multidisciplinary research teams. This is a full-time, on-site ...

Showing results 21-40

Structural Biology information

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$15

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How much do structural biology jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for structural biology in the United States is $23.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $25.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is structural biology?

A Structural Biology job involves studying the molecular structure and function of biological macromolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids, to understand their roles in cellular processes. Professionals in this field use techniques like X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and NMR spectroscopy to determine molecular structures. These roles are common in academic research, pharmaceutical development, and biotechnology companies, contributing to drug discovery and disease research.

What does someone working in structural biology do?

Professionals in Structural Biology commonly spend their days designing and conducting experiments to analyze the three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules using techniques like X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, or NMR spectroscopy. They often collaborate with interdisciplinary teams—including biochemists, computational modelers, and pharmaceutical researchers—to interpret data and inform research directions. In addition to laboratory work, significant time is dedicated to data analysis, preparing research presentations, and staying up to date with scientific literature. This dynamic environment requires flexibility, technical expertise, and an eagerness to solve complex scientific problems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in structural biology?

To thrive in Structural Biology, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and physics, generally supported by an advanced degree (MS or PhD) in a related field. Proficiency with specialized software for molecular modeling (such as PyMOL or Chimera), as well as hands-on experience with technologies like X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy, is essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and collaborative communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are key for accurately determining biomolecular structures and contributing valuable insights to biomedical research and drug discovery.

Is structural biology in demand?

Structural biology is a growing field with demand in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academic research for understanding molecular mechanisms. Professionals in this area often work with techniques like X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and molecular modeling, and strong skills in these methods can enhance job prospects. The field offers opportunities in research institutions, biotech companies, and drug development firms.
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What states have the most Structural Biology jobs?

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Infographic showing various Structural Biology job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,717 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

Scientist - Ensemble Structural Informatics

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$100K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Position Summary
The diffUSE Project is seeking a Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team to help build the infrastructure needed to host and distribute dynamic structural biology data. The diffUSE Project is an ambitious initiative designed to advance our understanding of protein dynamics by building the experimental methods, computational models, and global infrastructure needed to capture molecular motion at scale. Our goal is to establish dynamic structural biology as a foundational pillar of modern science, as transformative and indispensable as static structures have been.
This role will lead the development of standards that empower the structural biology community to deposit, validate, search, and leverage dynamic structural information at scale. A core focus will be establishing validation metrics and forward models for X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and related techniques, providing rigorous frameworks to assess the quality of structural models, distinguish geometric accuracy from fit to experimental data, and ensure scientific trustworthiness across diverse methodologies. This includes developing cross-modality validation metrics with a particular emphasis on ensemble and multistate models, where understanding which experimental data to validate against (i.e. raw images versus processed maps) and how such evaluations should be standardized and scaled within a database setting are open and consequential challenges.
The position involves architecting the foundational infrastructure alongside dedicated software engineers. Duties will also include building and socializing community standards to make dynamic structural biology data as accessible, reliable, and scientifically impactful as the Protein Data Bank has been for static structures. Your work will be central to evolving alongside algorithmic advances while upholding the highest standards of scientific rigor and reproducibility.
This is a full-time position within the diffUSE Project, in-person at Radial, a division of the Astera Institute.
Key Responsibilities
  • Oversee development of ensemble-aware validation frameworks that assess fit-to-data, physical realism, and uncertainty across diverse structural representations
  • Identify and prioritize technical challenges, from data representation to validation frameworks
  • Guide the creation of data deposition, search, and retrieval tools that allow users to interrogate and interpret structural heterogeneity at scale
  • Help coordinate with stakeholders to ensure interoperability and adoption
  • Work with software developers, data engineers, and user experience designers to translate scientific requirements into robust technical solutions

Required Skills and Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in structural biology, biophysics, computational biology, or related field
  • Demonstrated expertise in structural biology methods
  • Deep understanding of structural heterogeneity and dynamics in biomolecular systems
  • Experience with data standards, metadata frameworks, or scientific database development
  • Strong collaborative skills and ability to build consensus across diverse scientific communities

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Experience with PDB, EMDB, BMRB, or other structural biology databases
  • Knowledge of validation methods for experimental and computational structural data
  • Familiarity with machine learning workflows and ML-ready data formats
  • Background in model uncertainty quantification or ensemble refinement methods
  • Understanding of software development practices and data engineering principles
  • Track record of working at the interface of methods development and infrastructure

Compensation
The posted salary range is based on location in the Bay Area. The successful candidate will receive a competitive compensation package, commensurate with their experience and location.
  • Benefits summary