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Research Assistant

Boston, MA

Imagine if you had the skills, knowledge, and teammates to both understand the root of the world’s most pressing problems and build the technologies and companies best positioned to solve them. RA Capital has done exactly that for more than two decades, backing bold ideas in medicines to further human health and now expanding into Planetary Health to improve how efficiently we utilize the world’s precious resources.

RA Capital is among the leading providers of capital and services to the most promising innovators in the world.  We invest flexibly—seed to IPO and beyond, anywhere in the world—with $10 B+ under management and a culture that prizes curiosity, rigor, and collaborative debate. We are investors who not only fund companies but get elbow deep in building them. From helping them recruit talent to helping them recruit patients for their studies to helping match them to strategic partners and even going to Washington to win reforms, RA Capital’s large team has people with nearly every relevant expertise one might need to turn an idea into a cure that actually helps people. 

If you live for first-principles problem-solving with great colleagues, thrive on complexity, and want to do meaningful work that ripples across industries and ecosystems, you’ll feel at home at RA Capital. Here, questions are welcomed, ideas are tested, and victories are shared. Even our lawyers are creative and engaging. And don’t get us started on our compliance team’s wicked sense of humor; nothing about what we do is boring. 

Are you ready to bring your creativity, discipline and collaborative spirit to help us invent the future? Join us and you’ll collaborate daily with investors, founders, physicians, biologists, engineers, economists, and reform advocates who think in systems and act with urgency.  

Join us to invent a happier, healthier, more productive future - and have fun doing it.

 

Overview

Research Assistants at RA Capital support the company’s scientific research efforts by collecting, streamlining, and organizing detailed scientific data. Research Assistants will also use their knowledge of both internal and external third-party databases to identify inefficiencies and find solutions to continually optimize our processes. Collection, curation, and management of large data sets are the primary responsibilities for this position. This role will report to the Research Manager or Research Operations Manager.

Candidates must be eager to experiment with ways to incorporate AI into their work to be more efficient and effective. RA Capital is looking for people who are proactive about using AI where possible, looking for new tools and even creating new tools; AI is transforming our work, and we are specifically looking for AI-forward people to ensure that we are leveraging these tools to make us as effective as possible.

Skills and Responsibilities

  • Ability to learn how to use myriad databases, including internal proprietary databases, third-party subscription databases, and public databases to extract key data and supporting information
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work independently and respond well to guidance and feedback
  • Basic understanding of science and technology and the ability to rapidly research, understand, and clearly and concisely articulate complex information
  • Adaptability and willingness to seize opportunities to apply existing skill sets in novel ways
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in a project-focused, results-driven environment
  • Conviction of belief while maintaining an open-minded nature and humility toward learning
  • Intellectual curiosity and desire to find innovative approaches to solutions
  • Flexibility and ability to manage ambiguity and complex problem solving across multiple projects with varying timelines
  • Excellent interpersonal communication and teamwork skills
  • Problem-solving mentality and ability to improve upon and optimize processes

Education/Experience

  • BA/BS required in biological sciences or technical field; MS preferred
  • Prior internship or full-time experience (2 years or less) in biotech, life sciences or consulting
  • Experience identifying and compiling relevant data required
  • Experience with basic analysis in Excel (formulas, macros, etc.) required
  • Programming languages (Python, SQL etc.) preferred
  • Experience leveraging AI in either a project or work environment
  • Must be based in Boston area; no relocation and local applicants only

​RA Capital is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you require an accommodation during the interview process, please reach out to careers@racap.com for assistance.

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