Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology Development
Date: Mar 31, 2026
Location: Lexington, MA, US
Company: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
The Biological and Chemical Technologies Group addresses critical national security challenges through application of advanced biology and chemistry approaches. Our multi-disciplinary team leverages cutting-edge capabilities that include cellular and synthetic biology, molecular and organism engineering for novel bioproduction and sensing platforms, bioinformatics and computational biology for rational design, microfluidics and high-throughput screening technologies, advanced molecular analysis and analytical chemistry, and organic synthesis. These capabilities are applied to missions spanning biosecurity and biodefense, biomanufacturing, chemical, biological, and explosives (CBE) detection and attribution, medical diagnostics and countermeasures, pathogen characterization, molecular intelligence, DNA forensics, and bio-enabled additive manufacturing.
Job Description
The Biological & Chemical Technologies Group seeks an innovative researcher to expand our biosecurity and biomanufacturing R&D portfolios. This position offers an opportunity to lead high-impact R&D programs that address national security priorities while advancing the fundamental science. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic environment where they may serve as a principal investigator/program manager, lead specific technical tasks within a larger program, or contribute as an independent technical expert, depending on the needs of the program. This will entail both leadership and hands-on technical responsibilities that include defining strategic research directions, developing detailed technical plans, providing programmatic and technical oversight to ensure successful project execution, and maintaining close working relationships with government sponsors, academic collaborators, industry partners, or other external stakeholders.
The candidate will work with in-house experts in biosynthesis and biomanufacturing, molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, complex in vitro models, material science, analytical and synthetic chemistry, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to develop multidisciplinary innovative solutions to complex national security challenges that no single discipline could address independently.
Job Requirements
Candidates must have a PhD in biology, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline or demonstrated equivalent professional experience in biomanufacturing or biotechnology development. A minimum of five years of professional experience post-terminal degree is required, preferably with a record of technology transitions, publications, and/or patents. Familiarity with issues associated with national security or biodefense is a plus. Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams in designing and executing R&D associated with biosynthesis, bioremediation, or bioindustrial downstream processing is highly desired, as is familiarity with metabolic engineering and/or modeling, novel culture and bioreactor systems, or computational biological design. Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and graphical) are also required. Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance is preferred.
Recent Graduate Hiring Range: $145,200 - $170,000
Experienced Hiring Range: $145,200 - $220,000
Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including—but not limited to—the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.
At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
- MIT-funded pension
- Matching 401K
- Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
- Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
- Mentorship programs
- A range of work-life balance options
- ... and much more!
Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.
Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.
Requisition ID: 42874
Nearest Major Market: Boston
Job Segment:
Military Intelligence, TS / SCI, Chemical Research, Security Clearance, Scientific, Government, Engineering
