MIT is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals from all identities and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive equitable consideration for employment based on their experience and qualifications and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin. View MIT Policy on Non Discrimination and EEOC’s Know Your Rights. Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check, including possible verification of any findings of misconduct (or pending investigations) from prior employers.
Faculty positions
The 2026-2027 application cycle begins August 1, 2026. See below for specific information and application instructions.
We regularly conduct faculty searches for positions based in four sections of the department: the main Biology building (Building 68), the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, the Whitehead Institue, and the Broad Institute. The annual cycle for faculty searches begins late summer and the application deadline is generally mid-October.
All applicants are expected to develop and lead a vibrant, independent research program and share our commitment to undergraduate and graduate education, develop and teach courses, supervise graduate and undergraduate research, and mentor trainees at all levels. The Department of Biology offers supportive mentorship to junior faculty, an exceptional environment for scientific inquiry, and a strong commitment to an inclusive, welcoming, and collaborative culture; we seek candidates who will contribute to this culture.
Candidates may apply for multiple positions, but must submit a separate application for each position. Applicants must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent terminal degree and should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, summary of current and proposed research, statement on teaching philosophy, three recommendation letters, and a statement on mentoring that describes their experience and/or how they envision leading a group and supporting the scientific development of trainees.
Biology Department
The Department of Biology seeks applicants who pursue innovative approaches to fundamental research on molecules, cells, organisms, and their interactions, including work that considers biological complexity across scales. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: chemical biology and biochemistry; microbial biology; structural, cell, and molecular biology, including cryo-electron tomography. Position available at the level of a tenure-track Assistant Professor or tenured appointment, beginning July 1, 2027, or later based on mutual agreement.
APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS AUGUST 1
Application deadline is October 20th 2026
Whitehead Institute
The Department of Biology together with the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research seeks applicants who are pursuing innovative approaches to fundamental problems in molecular, cellular, or organismal biology. We seek colleagues who are poised to ask big, unanswered questions with bold ideas and technologies in our collaborative environment, where we strive for mechanistic insights into complex processes and believe in innovation- and curiosity-driven science.
Position available at the level of a tenure-track Assistant Professor, beginning July 1, 2027, or later based on mutual agreement.
APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS AUGUST 1
Application deadline is October 2nd 2026.
Postdoctoral positions
Postdoctoral positions are arranged directly with individual faculty members and, thus, not advertised here. To learn more about how to find the best postdoctoral position for you, see this article from Science Careers.
Non-academic positions
A complete listing of all non-academic positions at MIT is available on the Human Resources website.