medical research jobs in boston

The Common App is Open. Class of 2029, Apply Today!

10 Clinical Research Jobs in the Greater Boston Area

• Careers for Veterans
• College Advice
• Completing Your Degree
• Dental Hygiene

Seven Behind the Scenes Medical Jobs With No Patient Contact

30 Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs Skills You Need to Advance Your Career

• Seven Regulatory Affairs Jobs in Boston and How Regis Prepares You
• Is a Master's in Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research Worth It?
• Should I Get a Master's Degree or Certificate in Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research?
• How To Get a Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research Certificate and What You Can Do With It?
• Their Choice was Consistent: Physician Assistant
• The Nuclear Option
• Compassion, Ethics, and Values. All in a Day’s Work for a Social Worker
• Master's in Counseling vs Master's in Social Work
• Master's in Counseling Salary and Career Outlook
• MA in Counseling vs MS in Counseling: What's the Difference?
• What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in Counseling?
• How to Become a Licensed Counselor in Massachusetts
• What Can You Do With a Master's Degree in ABA?
• ABA vs Counseling: Which Master's Degree is Right for You?
• How to Become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): Five Steps
• Applied Behavior Analysis: What It is and How It Works
• How to Become a Counselor: Six Key Steps
• What Can You Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology?
• Seven Top Public Health Careers in the Merrimack Valley
• Five Health Sciences Careers (and What They Pay) in the Merrimack Valley
• What Can You Do With a Health Sciences Degree?
• Marketing and Communications
• Medical Imaging
• Occupational Therapy
• Online Learning
• Public Health
• Speech-Language Pathology

Today, the field of clinical research is bridging the gap between the developmental aspects of healthcare and the public health impact of medical innovation. Working in this field can be incredibly rewarding, allowing you to make a difference in the lives of others with little to no patient contact .

Those interested in clinical research careers have numerous options available to them throughout the United States, but the Greater Boston area offers a wealth of opportunities as a major hub for both healthcare and the life sciences.

If you’re curious about the professional landscape in Boston, Massachusetts, here’s an overview of the clinical research landscape in the region, the top 10 high-paying careers you can expect, and the best places to work in clinical research in the Greater Boston area.

Want to learn more about working in Regulatory and Clinical Research Management? Download Our Free Guide!

Why Work in the Greater Boston Area?

While understanding the various career paths available to you in clinical research is essential to your long-term success in the field, it is equally important to determine the best location for you to work in.

For example, the Greater Boston area holds one of the largest concentrations of biotech startups and biopharma companies in the world . As a result, it attracts a great deal of incubator organizations and venture capital firms interested in supporting research and development projects across a variety of life science and healthcare businesses.

At the center of all this activity, there are also thriving research organizations, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions with renowned life science programs. As you would expect, this creates a direct pipeline of young talent for the biotech and biopharma companies in the area.

While there are plenty of job opportunities in Boston, the level of talent in the region has also led to more desirable salaries post-graduation. According to our analysis of job postings data, clinical research professionals in the Greater Boston area make an average salary of $90,000—increasing at an annual rate of 34.4 percent. This can attract even more aspiring clinical research professionals to the New England area.

Whether you're just starting out or trying to advance your career, Boston is a prime destination for anyone seeking a dynamic career in clinical research. According to our analysis of job postings data, here are the top clinical research jobs Boston has to offer:

• Laboratory managers: Oversee the day-to-day operations of clinical labs, including safety compliance, supply management, security protocols, and staffing
• Research laboratory managers: Lead research teams, coordinate projects, and ensure lab operations run smoothly
• Laboratory supervisors: Responsible for managing teams of lab technicians, directing daily activities, and implementing proper lab safety protocols
• Web operations managers: Oversee an organization’s online presence, including website management, data collection systems, and patient outreach
• Quality control laboratory supervisors: Ensure all aspects of lab operations, such as staff, processes, and equipment, are set up to maintain accuracy and compliance
• Laboratory operations managers: Handle the administrative and logistical aspects of research laboratories, from budgeting to safety compliance to resource allocation
• Clinical laboratory managers: Specialize in overseeing medical laboratories in healthcare institutions, ensuring timely and accurate test results
• Clinical laboratory supervisors: Oversee the work of lab technicians and technologists to ensure high standards of patient care
• Managers: Work at different levels of clinical research organizations, which often involves project management, team leadership, and strategic planning
• Field service supervisors: Manage clinical operations that involve researching, gathering resources, and communicating with patients in off-site locations

While the top jobs in this field are for experienced clinical researchers, skilled professionals are in high demand at all levels. Therefore, landing an entry-level job is a crucial step toward a rewarding clinical research career.

For those just starting out in clinical research, here are the top entry-level positions you should consider applying to:

• Clinical trial assistant: Aid in conducting trials, helping to perform interviews, collecting data and records, and performing routine lab duties
• Clinical research coordinator: Supervise research trials and conduct screenings to find patients who are the right fit
• Data coordinator: Manage the data collection processes for clinical research projects, ensuring accuracy and safe handling of patient information
• Clinical research associate: Monitor the success of research trials, ensuring the right protocols are being implemented

If you’re serious about exploring clinical research careers, these entry-level positions can be incredibly beneficial in your pursuit of a higher level research role. To ensure you get the most out of these roles, remember to network with other professionals to better understand the types of industries and roles available to you.

With this knowledge and foundational industry experience you could even transition into the following roles after a few years, including:

• Senior clinical research specialist: Part of the leadership team on research trials that monitor the clinical team, research participants, and quality assurance protocols
• Senior data coordinator: Manage a team of data coordinators and work with other team leaders to develop data management policies that support the research studies
• Research program leader: Responsible for developing and managing the goals and procedures of research studies, coordinating with team leads to carry out these goals
• Clinical research lab/pharmacy director: Oversee the operation of clinical research laboratories or pharmacies within healthcare institutions

Where Can You Work in Clinical Research in the Greater Boston Area?

One of the greatest advantages of working in a clinical research industry hub like Boston is the variety of employers and projects available to you. If you want to build a diverse work history that demonstrates expertise and leadership skills, working in the Greater Boston area provides ample opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of teams and eventually progress to high-level roles.

Top Industries

Choosing the right industry is very important to your long-term success as a clinical research professional. While there is plenty of skills overlap between industries, making an industry shift mid-career can be stressful and overwhelming. Therefore it’s important to know all your options before choosing which industry to work in.

According to our analysis of job postings data, there are six industries that are hiring a large number of clinical research professionals in the Greater Boston Area, including:

• Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: Academic institutions often conduct cutting-edge research, such as observational studies and clinical trials.
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: Healthcare institutions require clinical research expertise to drive advancements in patient care and treatment.
• Employment Placement Agencies: Recruitment agencies connect clinical research professionals with job opportunities in various sectors.
• Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences: R&D departments in life science industries, such as pharmaceutics, actively seek clinical research talent to lead product development teams.
• Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners: Specialized healthcare practices often engage in clinical research activities to better understand public health trends and needs.
• Research and Development in Biotechnology: R&D teams in biotech are often responsible for groundbreaking studies in medical technology.

Top Companies Hiring

Once you know what industry you hope to work in, conducting some research on companies in that sector can ensure you feel fulfilled at work. According to our analysis of job postings data, the top companies hiring clinical research professionals in Boston include:

• Mass General Brigham
• Harvard University
• Boston University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Take the Next Step Toward a Clinical Research Career

Although the robust ecosystem of biotech companies, healthcare institutions, and research organizations makes the Greater Boston area an ideal place to grow your clinical research career, the competitive landscape also means it’s important to distinguish yourself in the job market.

An undergraduate degree in a relevant field is the minimum requirement for most entry-level jobs. However, aspiring professionals also have the option to pursue certificate programs or even a master’s degree to build specific skill sets in clinical research.

While this additional education might seem like an unnecessary additive, according to our analysis of job postings data, most employers expect entry-level researchers to have a developed skill set . In fact, approximately 29 percent require a master’s degree, rather than a bachelors, along with past industry experience.

To ensure you don’t get left behind in this thriving field, consider earning an MS in Regulatory and Clinical Research Management (RCRM) at Regis College. Through the specialized curriculum, exciting internship opportunities, and job placement resources for post-graduation, Regis can fully prepare you to take on any leadership role in clinical research.

To learn more about Regis’s graduate degree, contact an admission counselor to discover how the program can jumpstart your career.

Related Blogs

Hoping to advance your career in regulatory affairs and clinical research? Here are 30 clinical research and regulatory affairs skills you should develop.

What Is Regulatory Affairs?

Wondering what regulatory affairs is, and the role it plays in healthcare? Here’s an overview of regulatory affairs, and its importance in consumer safety.

Want to work in healthcare, but don’t have a clinical background? Here’s a list of seven behind the scenes medical jobs that don’t involve patient contact.

January 03, 2024

• 235 Wellesley Street, Weston MA 02493
• 781.768.7000
• © 2024
• Privacy Policy

Find jobs for

Radius Select miles 5 miles 15 miles 25 miles 35 miles 50 miles

Research Scientist, Inflammation (GI2) Drug Discovery

• Job Level: Senior
• Travel: Minimal (if any)

At Takeda, we strive to provide transformational opportunities for every member of our team, and we empower our people to take charge of their futures. In an environment that fosters lifelong learning and a growth mindset, you’ll have the support you need to thrive — at work and beyond.

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use . I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

About the Role:

The Gastrointestinal and Inflammation (GI2) Drug Discovery Unit at Takeda is building a new team of experienced, innovative, and collaborative researchers to deliver an industry-leading portfolio of drugs for various gastrointestinal, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases with high unmet medical needs. We seek a Research Scientist to join our biology and cross-functional discovery teams and create novel drug candidates. Your role:

• provides technical leadership for research project implementation and coordination,
• begins at the conception of new projects and helps advance to candidate selection,
• generates exciting and rigorous data that drive confident decisions,
• contributes critical thinking, technical expertise, and scientific insight to teamwork, and
• maintains our Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication, cooperation, and urgency while delivering the highest quality of science for drug discovery.

Accountabilities:

• Identify, plan, and execute well-defined scientific projects
• Initiate investigation of new experimental approaches to specific problems using scientific theory and technical literature
• Use defined practices and theoretical knowledge to perform analyses, interpret results, and determine appropriate actions
• Utilize relevant information, technology, and resources to proactively contribute to solving complex problems and achieving objectives as a team
• Prepare and present comprehensive project and technical reports to a range of internal and external audiences

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

• PhD degree in a scientific discipline (or equivalent), or MS with 6+ years relevant experience, or BS with 8+ years relevant experience
• Accomplishments in inflammation and/or immunology research demonstrating creativity, conceptual learning, and aptitude for laboratory work
• Thorough understanding of animal models of disease gained from first-hand experience in designing and executing complex efficacy, pharmacology, and mechanism of action studies in rodents
• Repertoire of blood and tissue-based assays to analyze RNA expression, protein levels, cellular phenotypes, and/or histology
• Ability and desire to solve scientific problems independently, effectively, and creatively
• Well-developed skill at defining a question, observation, data analysis, and interpretation so that results from well-controlled experiments lead to project decisions
• Demonstrated teamwork ability to be highly collaborative, focused, and work with pace and energy
• Effective organizational, multi-tasking, and communication skills

This position is currently classified as “onsite” in Cambridge, MA.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

U.S. Base Salary Range:

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained , certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based e mployee s may be eligible for s hort - t erm and/ or l ong- t erm incentive s . U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Worker Type

Worker sub-type, share this job.

Where you fit in

Our team at Takeda is tackling some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. As the newest member of our Research team, you’ll conduct purposeful, meaningful work on groundbreaking modalities that may lead to breakthrough drugs.

With our deep investment in next-generation technologies, you’ll have the resources and support to do your best work. As a part of our team, you’ll connect with brilliant minds inside and outside of Takeda. We are committed to collaborating with academia and emerging biotech companies to expand our reach and impact in cell therapy, gene therapy and data sciences.

Our team’s wide-ranging expertise includes medicinal chemistry, genomics datasets, immunofluorescence, high content imaging, flow cytometry, transcriptional profiling, multi-step synthesis, multimodal genetics, pharmacokinetics and much more. Whatever area inspires you, your work will support the progression of an innovative, industry-leading discovery pipeline and make an impact that matters to patients and society.

A career in Research at Takeda will give you everything you need to succeed professionally — and make a difference to patients, people and the planet.

Design and carry out experiments

Manage multiple projects

Document data

Mentor other scientists

Along with incredibly passionate colleagues, there’s a clear commitment to invest in the best facilities and the right equipment needed to successfully perform world-class science.

Christina Alves - Head of Biotherapeutics Process Development

I feel especially lucky to be able to work with colleagues across the industry to meet a unified goal. Takeda is paving the way for how research will be conducted in the future.

Daniel Scheibe - Senior Manager Operations, Systems Engineering, Drug Discovery Sciences

Our pipeline

Our internal research capabilities and external partnerships contribute to an R&D engine that has produced exciting new molecular entities (NMEs) across our core Therapeutic Areas. Check out our pipeline and see how we’ll continue delivering a steady stream of next-generation therapies.

What we believe in

Our values of Takeda-ism are Integrity, Fairness, Honesty and Perseverance, with Integrity as the core. These are brought to life through actions based on Patient, Trust, Reputation and Business, in that order.

Our belief in putting people first extends beyond our patients — it includes their families and communities, as well as our Takeda colleagues and their families.

We are committed to embracing our differences, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and empowerment.

Our embedded Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy enables us to attract and retain exceptional talent, drives innovation, and helps address systemic inequalities in our communities.

Perseverance

Working at Takeda

Collaboration

Top Workplace

Empowerment

We're Steadfast In Our Commitment to Four Key Imperatives

Responsibly translate science into highly innovative medicines and accelerate access to improve lives worldwide.

Create an exceptional people experience.

Protect our planet.

Data & Digital

Transform Takeda into the most trusted, data-driven, outcomes-based biopharmaceutical company.

Related Content

Jobs for you

• Senior Scientist, Human Genetics Boston, Massachusetts Category: Research Science
• Project Lead, Senior Scientist, Global DMPK&M Boston, Massachusetts Category: Research Science
• Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Research Boston, Massachusetts Category: Research Science
• Companion Diagnostic Lead Boston, Massachusetts Category: Research Science

About our location

Boston, Massachusetts

View Map of Boston, Massachusetts

Join our talent community

Get customized job alerts sent right to your inbox. Plus, get the latest in company news and other important resources by signing up for our talent community.

Learn about job updates