Research Associate III - Traverso Lab

Broad Institute; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible spending and health savings

13 paid holidays

Winter closure – paid time off

Parental and family care leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

The Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts seeks a Research Associate III - Bioanalytics to develop and operate bioanalytical workflows for the Traverso Laboratory. The role centers on measuring drugs, metabolites, biomarkers, and other analytes using HPLC and LC-MS, including method development, qualification, execution, and troubleshooting.

You will collaborate with engineers, chemists, biologists, clinicians, and postdocs; contribute to laboratory operations, training, safety, and data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, biology, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and execute analytical methods for quantification of drugs, metabolites, biomarkers, excipients, and other analytes.
• Operate and support HPLC systems for assay development, purity assessment, stability studies, release testing, and related applications.
• Operate and support LC-MS workflows for sensitive quantification of analytes in biological and nonbiological matrices.
• Assist with sample preparation, extraction, dilution, filtration, and processing methods for plasma, serum, tissue, formulations, and other samples.
• Develop and conduct ELISAs and other plate-based assays when required by project needs.
• Evaluate analytical performance (sensitivity, specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effects).
• Identify and troubleshoot instrumentation, chromatography, and data quality issues.
• Support method transfer, standardization, and implementation across projects.

Skills

Bioanalytics

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

Analytical method development

Data analysis

Lab safety

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in analytical chemistry/chemistry/biochemistry/pharmaceutical sciences/chemical/biomedical engineering/biology

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS/MS

Plate-reader

Job description

Description & Requirements

About the Traverso Lab

The Traverso Laboratory focuses on translational medicine at the intersection of engineering, biology, and clinical care. Our goal is to develop technologies that improve human health, including advanced drug-delivery systems, diagnostics, biomaterials, medical devices, and therapeutic platforms.

The laboratory is led by Dr. Giovanni Traverso and includes a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, clinicians, research staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students working across the Broad Institute, MIT, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.

Position Overview

The Research Associate III - Bioanalytics will support the development, implementation, and operation of bioanalytical workflows for the Traverso Laboratory, with the position primarily based at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The individual will serve as a central technical resource for the measurement and characterization of drugs, metabolites, biomarkers, formulation components, and other analytes across a range of translational research programs. A significant portion of the role is expected to involve high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, including the development, qualification, execution, and troubleshooting of analytical methods.

The position may also support additional analytical techniques, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and other quantitative biochemical or physicochemical assays, depending on project requirements. The balance of responsibilities will evolve as new analytical workflows are established and the needs of the laboratory's research portfolio change.

In addition to technical bioanalytical responsibilities, the Research Associate III will contribute to laboratory operations, training, safety, procurement, equipment stewardship, and workflow organization. The individual will work closely with Aaron and other Broad-based team members while collaborating with researchers across the broader Traverso Laboratory.

There may also be limited near-term support for establishing the laboratory's new Brigham and Women's Hospital research space, particularly with respect to equipment, supplies, safety systems, and laboratory workflows to synergize with the collaborative projects between the Broad and BWH. The position itself, however, will remain Broad-centric.

Primary Responsibilities

Bioanalytical Method Development and Execution

• Develop, optimize, qualify, and execute analytical methods for the quantitative measurement of drugs, metabolites, biomarkers, excipients, and other analytes.
• Operate and support high-performance liquid chromatography systems for assay development, purity assessment, stability studies, release testing, and related analytical applications.
• Operate and support liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry workflows for sensitive and selective quantification of analytes in biological and nonbiological matrices.
• Assist with sample preparation, extraction, dilution, filtration, and processing methods for plasma, serum, tissue, formulations, release media, and other sample types.
• Develop and conduct ELISAs and other plate-based assays when required by project needs.
• Evaluate analytical performance, including sensitivity, specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, matrix effects, stability, carryover, and reproducibility.
• Identify and troubleshoot technical issues involving instrumentation, chromatography, sample preparation, assay performance, and data quality.
• Support analytical method transfer, standardization, and implementation across research projects and collaborating groups.
• Maintain familiarity with emerging analytical technologies and recommend new instrumentation, methods, or workflows when appropriate.

Instrumentation and Data Management

• Operate, maintain, calibrate, and coordinate servicing of HPLC, LC-MS, plate-reader, and related analytical equipment.
• Establish preventive-maintenance schedules and maintain accurate instrument usage, calibration, and service records.
• Develop standardized procedures for instrument operation, data acquisition, data processing, and quality review.
• Analyze experimental data using appropriate analytical and statistical methods.
• Review chromatograms, calibration curves, quality-control samples, assay outputs, and related datasets for completeness and reliability.
• Organize, document, archive, and communicate analytical results in a clear and reproducible manner.
• Contribute to the implementation of effective sample tracking, data management, and laboratory information workflows.

Research Program Support

• Work closely with engineers, chemists, biologists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, students, and research staff to define analytical requirements for multidisciplinary projects.
• Advise project teams on assay selection, experimental design, sample collection, controls, acceptance criteria, and data interpretation.
• Coordinate analytical activities across multiple research programs while balancing competing priorities, instrument availability, and project timelines.
• Generate high-quality analytical data to support internal project decisions, publications, presentations, regulatory activities, sponsored research deliverables, and grant proposals.
• Summarize results and provide technical updates during laboratory and project meetings.
• Contribute technical expertise to manuscripts, reports, protocols, grant applications, and presentations.
• Coordinate with external laboratories, core facilities, vendors, and collaborators when specialized analytical services are required.

Laboratory Operations and Stewardship

• Support the organization and day-to-day operation of the Broad-based laboratory.
• Assist with procurement of reagents, analytical standards, consumables, columns, equipment, and other laboratory supplies.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and help establish systems for ordering, receiving, storage, and tracking of materials.
• Support chemical, biological, and analytical safety practices and ensure that laboratory activities comply with institutional requirements.
• Help establish and maintain standard operating procedures, equipment documentation, training records, and laboratory policies.
• Promote consistent, efficient, and reproducible laboratory workflows.
• Assist with laboratory inspections, equipment installation, waste-management procedures, and corrective actions when needed.
• Provide limited support for the setup and organization of the new Brigham laboratory space, including equipment, supplies, safety procedures, and basic analytical workflows.

Training and Team Support

• Train and onboard students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and other laboratory members in analytical methods, instrumentation, sample preparation, data processing, and laboratory safety.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance and troubleshooting support to researchers using shared analytical equipment.
• Establish clear expectations for instrument use, sample submission, data review, and laboratory documentation.
• Promote a collaborative environment in which analytical resources are used responsibly and efficiently.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and approachable technical resource for the broader research team.

Senior-Level Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of bioanalytical capabilities supporting multiple translational research programs.
• Establish priorities and coordinate analytical workloads based on scientific importance, project timelines, and available resources.
• Independently assess analytical challenges and propose practical, scientifically rigorous solutions.
• Develop scalable workflows that can accommodate increasing sample volumes and changing research needs.
• Establish quality-control standards and acceptance criteria appropriate for research-stage bioanalytical studies.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, data quality, reproducibility, and turnaround time.
• Evaluate and recommend major equipment purchases, service agreements, software, and technical resources.
• Mentor junior staff and promote strong practices in experimental design, documentation, safety, and data integrity.
• Represent the bioanalytical function in project meetings and collaborations across the Broad Institute, MIT, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and external partner organizations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, biology, or a related discipline.
• Several years of relevant laboratory experience in bioanalysis, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with HPLC, including method development, instrument operation, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with LC-MS or LC-MS/MS workflows for qualitative or quantitative analysis.
• Experience preparing biological, pharmaceutical, or formulation samples for analytical testing.
• Strong understanding of calibration standards, quality-control samples, standard curves, analytical variability, and quantitative data interpretation.
• Experience documenting experimental procedures and preparing clear, reproducible standard operating procedures.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, samples, instruments, and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety, data integrity, and high-quality experimental work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or qualifying quantitative LC-MS/MS assays.
• Experience with triple-quadrupole, high-resolution, or other mass spectrometry platforms.
• Experience with ELISA development, optimization, and execution.
• Experience measuring drug concentrations or biomarkers in plasma, serum, tissue, or other biological matrices.
• Experience with drug-delivery systems, pharmacokinetic studies, controlled-release formulations, stability studies, or pharmaceutical product development.
• Familiarity with analytical method validation principles and relevant regulatory guidance.
• Experience with chromatography and mass-spectrometry data-analysis software.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems, electronic laboratory notebooks, or structured sample-tracking systems.
• Experience supporting shared laboratory facilities or analytical core operations.
• Experience with laboratory setup, equipment installation, vendor management, and procurement.
• Experience training and supervising students, junior researchers, or technical staff.
• Familiarity with complementary analytical methods such as UV-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence assays, dissolution or release testing, particle analysis, or other physicochemical characterization techniques.

Candidate Attributes

The successful candidate will be self-motivated, highly organized, and willing to learn new tools and techniques. The candidate should demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, sound scientific judgment, and a strong commitment to producing accurate and reproducible results.

The role requires an individual who can work both independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with researchers from varied technical backgrounds, and manage changing priorities in a fast-paced translational research environment. The candidate should be comfortable taking ownership of analytical workflows, identifying operational needs, training team members, and helping ensure that the laboratory operates safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Primary Work Location

The position will be primarily based at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The individual will interact regularly with collaborators and laboratory members based at MIT, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and affiliated institutions. Limited travel between local research sites may be required.

The expected base pay range for this position as listed above is based on a 40 hour per week schedule. Broad provides pay ranges representing its reasonable and good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, education, qualifications, and other factors permissible by law.

From day one, this role offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; at least 13 paid holidays; winter closure; paid time off; parental and family care leave; and an employee assistance program, among other Broad benefits.

• medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• a 401(k) retirement plan
• flexible spending and health savings accounts
• at least 13 paid holidays
• winter closurepaid time off
• parental and family care leave
• an employee assistance program, among other Broad benefits

The Broad Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

Should you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.