Job Description

The Industrial Performance Center (IPC) seeks a predoctoral researcher to provide research and program management assistance on the New Manufacturing Research Project in association with the MIT Initiative for New Manufacturing (INM). The Technical Associate will conduct research on two primary topics: i) what enables high-growth companies in the biomanufacturing sector? ii) What are the models of manufacturing that can enable new categories of biomanufacturing products to be produced at scale?

The role will conduct research from the bottom up, studying companies and their relationships to their regions and suppliers to draw larger lessons for management, regional innovation, and industrial policy. The researcher will contribute to the INM research program and the Initiative’s broader agenda, working closely with faculty leads and collaborating with colleagues across INM and IPC.

The predoctoral position is intended for individuals who intend to pursue a doctoral program in one to two years’ time.

• Conduct original research on the US biomanufacturing landscape, spanning technology, industry, policy, and economics
• Build and maintain research databases and other structured evidence bases, with rigorous sourcing and documentation
• Design and conduct stakeholder interviews and synthesize findings
• Review scientific, technical, and policy literature and translate it into clear, accurate written work
• Draft research memos, briefings, case studies, and reports for academic, government, and industry audiences
• Support the development of further research proposals
• Contribute to workforce and regional-ecosystem dimensions of the research
• Help shape the research agenda, including questions, frameworks, and methods
• Support project coordination, including documentation and engagement with external partners
• Other duties as needed or required.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, urban or regional planning, science and technology policy, or a related field
• Minimum 4 years’ specialized experience with qualitative data analysis, research methods related to policy, industrial strategy, political economy, or a related domain ((which may include experience gained as an undergraduate).
• Foundational training or a degree in a life sciences, engineering, or quantitative scientific field, sufficient to engage with the technical dimensions of biomanufacturing
• Strong mixed-methods research skills, including quantitative/econometric analysis and qualitative methods (e.g., semi-structured interviews)
• Demonstrated experience producing written research for non-academic audiences (memos, reports, case studies, or briefings)
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to translate complex material for varied audiences
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workstreams, and maintain high standards of accuracy and documentation

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in public policy, economics, urban or regional planning, science and technology policy, or a related field
• Background spanning both technical/scientific and policy/economics domains
• Familiarity with US industrial policy, manufacturing competitiveness, supply chains, or technology adoption
• Prior experience researching critical technologies or the bioeconomy
• Experience supporting book-length or large multi-author research production
• Experience managing research projects or junior researchers
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., Stata, R) and data or GIS tools
• Experience supporting sponsored research proposals

Application Instructions

• A one-page cover letter describing their academic background, research interests, quantitative and programming experience, future career goals, and (optionally) any challenges they have overcome. Applicants should also explain their interest in research in energy and environmental economics and/or industrial organization.
• A curriculum vitae.
• An academic transcript.
• A writing sample (such as a research paper or course paper).
• A sample of code written by the applicant, together with a brief description of its purpose and output.
• The names and contact information of two references.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin. MIT’s full policy on Nondiscrimination can be found here.

Background Check Policy

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.