With a Degree in Chemistry or Chemistry and Biology, students are prepared to pursue careers fields ranging from Chemical Engineering to Law.
Graduates of the Department of Chemistry have gone on to pursue careers in Chemistry, Biology, Law, Medicine, Business, Pharmaceutical Research, Biotech Research, Materials Science, Medical Research, Chemical Research, Science Journalism, Biological Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, and more.
If you are an employer who would like to recruit within the MIT Chemistry community, click here for information on Industrial Recruiting.
Current Job, Fellowship, and Academic Opportunities
Jobs
Financial Coordinator
Posted September 11, 2026
Click here to apply.
The primary responsibilities of the Financial Coordinator (FC) are to provide complex and detailed pre-award and post-award research administration for Department of Chemistry faculty. The FC performs various financial activities including salary distributions, management of accounts related to the daily operation of the department, and tracking and monitoring the financial performance of various accounts to ensure compliance with MIT policies.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions*)
- Administers the preparation, review, and submission of budgets and/or grant proposals to federal, foundation, and other research sponsors, following appropriate policies and procedures, including activities such as: reviewing solicitations and determining necessary components; organizing Principal Investigator (PI) proposals, often including multiple PIs and/or multi-unit proposals; managing proposals with cost sharing, under-recovery, and/or sub-recipient costs; and managing renewal and submission in accordance with MIT/sponsor/donor policies.
- Supports Just-In-Time (JIT) requests, work with RAS, the Principal Investigator (PI) to ensure timely submissions.
- Manages general, fund and research accounts; provides monthly financial forecasting to faculty; oversees award set-ups, closeouts, extensions, annual financial reports; monitor and track payroll suspense and work with faculty and financial staff for timely removal; tracks and addresses account overruns, process salary changes and distributions
- Oversees and helps to solve issues with review Financial Review and Control compliance; monitors past-due travel expenses, procurement card sweeps and violations which are primarily supported and managed by the Financial Assistant.
- Administers ongoing sponsored research activity to ensure compliance with complex sponsor requirements, agency and award terms and conditions, and MIT policies. Understands and applies the Uniform Guidance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) policies.
- Provides day-to-day assistance to the Chemistry financial and administrative staff with issues and questions related to account spending, tracking, projections, personnel appointments, travel, and general MIT policies and procedures.
- Works in partnership with Senior Financial Officer and other administrative personal to administer ongoing sponsored research activity to ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, agency and award terms and conditions, and MIT policies.
- Assists principal investigators (PIs), faculty, researchers, and staff on all aspects of sponsored research administration. Escalate complex matters to Senior Financial Officer.
- Provides regular reporting/projections to PIs, faculty, researchers, and staff.
- Prepares preliminary information for allocation and/or service center rate proposals; monitoring allocation revenues and expenses; and processing service center chargebacks and billings.
- Compiles information and documents specifically needed for basic audit inquiries
- Participates in creating, implementing, and maintaining various financial tools, such as budget and proposal tracking systems for multiple accounts with tools like QuickBase.
- Develops and maintain relationships with a variety of departments and centralized offices at multiple institutions to facilitate financial activities for current and new initiatives.
- Supports the development and dissemination of training to financial and administrative staff in collaboration with the financial team
- Identifies areas of improvement in your individual portfolio of work and for the finance team and suggest process changes.
- Participates in the implementation of financial policy, procedure, and process improvements.
- Perform other duties as assigned by Senior Financial Officer.
Supervision Received
This position reports directly to the Senior Financial Officer (SFO). The incumbent meets with their supervisor regularly to discuss ongoing matters and to ensure proper financial review and control.
Supervision Exercised
None
Qualifications and Skills
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree; two years’ accounting/finance experience, preferably in university accounting; strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills; ability to meet deadlines and oversee accounting transactions; attention to detail; strong Excel skills; ability to develop effective working relationships with faculty, staff, and other DLCs.
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Experience with research accounting, relational databases, Kuali Coeus, Grants.gov. Familiarity with SAPgui or similar packages. Willingness to learn new systems/software and keep up-to-date on sponsor and MIT accounting policies. Understanding of Uniform Guidance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
LOCATION:
M-F 9-5; this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule with three days remote/two days onsite each week.
Communications Officer
Posted September 3, 2026
Click here to apply.
The Department of Chemistry seeks a Communications Officer to serve as strategist and leader for the full range of departmental communications, internal and external, that promote Chemistry research and academic programs. This position will report directly to the Department Head. The primary responsibilities include leading the department’s news program by providing editorial oversight and content for its website, newsletters, and scientific writing, and by conceptualizing and writing science reports for lay readers, including news and feature articles, proposals, presentations, videos, and other promotional materials; providing direction, coordination, and support for communication and public relations efforts across the department, managing the department’s presence and message across print and digital news channels, including traditional and social media, while ensuring cohesive branding, style, and voice across all content and communications; attending MIT events and science conferences and staying up-to-date with the most recent scientific findings and current research activities; updating and maintaining department website content and working with external developers on periodic upgrades/redesigns; and working closely with the Senior Development Officer to create tailored communications strategies and collateral to engage prospects and donors.
Job Requirements
REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field; a minimum of five years in a professional communications role; solid experience with project management, communication technologies, social media, and public relations; strong interpersonal, writing, editorial, and presentation skills; ability to describe science concepts to scientific and lay audiences; and experience with graphics/imaging tools. PREFERRED: Experience in a scientific and/or academic setting; excellent relationship management; demonstrated experience in or capacity for developing creative and entrepreneurial approaches to marketing and communications; ability to collaborate and work successfully across organizational boundaries; demonstrated success managing competing priorities and deadlines; and the ability to be flexible, adapt, and learn quickly are also preferred.
Work Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule. During the initial 6-month orientation and review period, the position would be on-site four days per week. Occasional evening/weekend work as needed.
Application Materials: Please include a cover letter, resume, and one writing sample (800 words or less) with your application. Please include links to any digital media and/or portfolio.
Faculty Positions
Coming soon!
Postdoctoral Positions
Postdoctoral Fellowships – MIT School of Science
**Deadline for applications is November 15, 2026. Apply here.**
The Office of the Dean, MIT School of Science, invites applications for its postdoctoral fellowship program. This three-year cohort-based program is expected to start September 2027.
We seek to assemble a diverse cohort of world-class scientists who are conducting research across disciplinary boundaries. In addition to their research, fellows in this cohort will participate in leadership, mentorship and professional development training.
Appointments may be extended with funding from the department and/or Principal Investigator (PI), subject to MIT’s policies on postdoctoral appointments and timelines.
REQUIRED:
PhD in scientific field (granted by Aug 2027), scientific excellence and an exceptional ability for innovation and cross disciplinary research.
Candidates must submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- 2-page research proposal, describing how their research crosses disciplinary boundaries;
- Two letters of recommendation: one from a current supervisor; one from the MIT faculty who will mentor the research;
- (Optional) one paragraph description of how their appointment aligns with the MIT Values Statement;
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of School of Science faculty and must be submitted online. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2026. Current postdocs at MIT and international candidates are eligible to apply.
This fellowship carries a stipend of $88,000, relocation allowance of $5,000, and a research allowance of $15,000. Fellows will have access to employee benefits such as health insurance. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact potential mentors as early as possible.
See School of Science Research and Academics to find prospective mentors and learn more
about the research conducted within the school.
Contact: sos-dean-pd-fellowship@mit.edu
Fellowships
Awards
Internships
Other Student Opportunities
Additional Career Resources
Industrial Recruiting
Details for companies interested in recruiting our Graduate Students and Postdocs on campus.