Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, Departments of Cancer Biology (DFCI) and Systems Biology (HMS)

Overview

Please note that applications for this position should be submitted at by cutting and pasting the URL into your browser. Follow the instructions below.

The Departments of Cancer Biology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School (HMS) invite applicants for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor.

We seek imaginative and creative early career scientists who will bring their expertise to important fundamental and/or applied problems in Biology or Medicine. We are particularly interested in scientists who will bring fresh perspectives and rigorous approaches to build a bold, interdisciplinary research program focusing on a systems level interrogation of cancer biology. The ideal candidate will use a combination of quantitative experimental, computational, synthetic and/or theoretical approaches to understand tumor initiation, progression, diagnosis, therapeutic response, drug resistance, or other central problems in cancer biology. We are interested in applicants whose work has the potential to move fluidly between mechanism and translation, and whose discoveries have the potential to reshape how we understand and treat cancer.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

We offer an exciting and collaborative work environment that includes faculty and trainees with research interests spanning systems biology, cancer biology, biophysics, chemical and structural biology, pharmacology, cell biology, biochemistry, and medicine. We strongly encourage team science, entrepreneurship and mentorship of scientists and physicians from diverse backgrounds. The two Departments are known for exceptional scientific and scholarly resources, interdisciplinary research, as well as a supportive, lively, and family-friendly environment. The successful candidate will become a member of the training faculty of one or more of Harvard University’s Ph.D. Programs such as Systems, Synthetic and Quantitative Biology (SSQB), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), Biophysics or Chemical Biology, which attract extraordinary graduate students. The successful candidate will become a faculty member in both DFCI Cancer Biology and HMS Systems Biology, will have a lab at DFCI, and will join a uniquely rich scientific environment within HMS, DFCI, and the Longwood Medical Area. The ethos of this ecosystem is one of intellectual generosity, deep collaboration, and scientific breadth, bringing together faculty, clinicians, trainees, and innovators across disciplines. This is an environment where new faculty can think deeply, work broadly, and pursue discoveries with both mechanistic rigor and clinical relevance.

Applications will be considered starting now until October 16, 2026.

Requirements:

A Ph.D., Ph.D./M.D. or M.D. is required.

Cut and paste this URL to apply at and upload:

1) Cover letter (encouraged but not required)

2) Curriculum Vitae (including bibliography)

3) Statement of Research. Upload as one PDF. Include:

-- A description of research accomplishments (one page maximum)

-- A summary of future research interests and long-term goals (three pages maximum)

-- A short, big picture view of your chosen field highlighting the important unanswered questions and opportunities in the field (500-word maximum)

4) Up to 3 publications/pre-prints.

5) Names and emails of three referees. Letters of recommendation are due October 30, 2026.

Department Websites: Dana-Farber Department of Cancer Biology :

Cut and paste this URL to apply .

Harvard Medical School is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$140,000.00 - $337,500.00