Research Scientist I

The Broad Institute•Cambridge, MA

3d•$88,000 - $124,000

About The Position

RNA Sensor Design and High-Throughput Brain Cell Targeting The Chen Lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard seeks a highly motivated Research Scientist to independently lead a flagship, multi-year project focused on the design and implementation of RNA sensors for high-throughput brain cell targeting. This role offers a rare opportunity to drive a cutting-edge research program at the intersection of pooled genetic screening, programmable molecular targeting, and next-generation delivery strategies for the nervous system. The successful candidate will have primary scientific ownership of the project, spanning conceptual design, experimental execution, data analysis, and collaboration. They will work closely with researchers across the Broad Institute and with external collaborators at partner universities, while also mentoring junior scientists and contributing to the broader intellectual direction of the lab. This position is ideal for a scientist who is excited to lead ambitious, technology-driven research with translational potential and broad impact across neuroscience and genomics.

Requirements

Ph.D. (or equivalent) in molecular biology, bioengineering, neuroscience, genomics, or a related field
Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex research projects from conception through execution and publication
Strong experience with pooled genetic or molecular screens, programmable targeting strategies, or delivery technologies
Solid experimental background with comfort working across molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches
Experience analyzing large-scale screening or genomics datasets; familiarity with computational or statistical analysis workflows is strongly preferred
Proven mentorship or team-leadership experience, or clear potential to supervise and guide junior scientists
Excellent communication, organizational, and collaborative skills in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary research environment

Responsibilities

Independently design and lead a research program to develop RNA sensor–based strategies for high-throughput, cell-type-specific targeting in the brain
Design, execute, and analyze pooled genetic and molecular screens to identify and optimize targeting strategies
Develop and optimize experimental pipelines spanning molecular engineering, delivery, screening, and readout
Integrate experimental results with computational analysis to guide iterative design and discovery
Collaborate with internal Broad Institute teams and external academic collaborators to advance shared scientific goals
Lead and mentor graduate students and research associates contributing to the project
Contribute to manuscripts, presentations, grant reports, and dissemination of new technologies
Support documentation, reproducibility, and potential intellectual property generation related to new methods