Join the Koch Institute

Koch Institute faculty members come from a range of departments within MIT’s School of Science and School of Engineering. Many also hold appointments at neighboring research centers and hospitals. 

Intramural 

Intramural faculty members establish their labs within the Koch Institute building. Hiring is conducted jointly by the Koch Institute and MIT’s academic departments. Open positions are typically posted on Academic Jobs Online (search for "Koch Inst"), as well as major scientific journals.

Extramural 

Although extramural faculty members have labs in other buildings across MIT, they play a crucial role in the Koch Institute’s research programs and activities. Extramural membership benefits include networking opportunities, access to community events, eligibility to apply to a variety of internal funding programs, and use of the KI Swanson Biotechnology Center core facilities at a reduced rate. 

Current MIT faculty members may apply for extramural Koch Institute membership by contacting the Koch Institute Director, Matt Vander Heiden, with a brief description of their cancer research interests and how they plan to interact with the KI community.   

The Koch Institute Clinical Investigators Program offers physician-scientists a unique opportunity to participate in cutting-edge cancer research while continuing their medical practice, and provides Koch Institute researchers with a frontline view of challenges in cancer treatment.  

Investigators work closely with Koch Institute faculty mentors and have access to networking opportunities and community events. They receive dedicated lab space, reduced-rate use of the KI Swanson Biotechnology Center core facilities, and are eligible to apply to a variety of internal funding programs.  

Interested physician-scientists may send inquiries to the director of the Koch Institute Clinical Investigator Program, Michael Yaffe, with cc: to the Koch Institute Director, Matt Vander Heiden.

The KI is a welcoming scientific community, for people from all backgrounds. Bring your uniqueness to the vibrant and diverse MIT postdoc community!

Tips for applying for a postdoc position at the KI

How to apply:

1. Postdocs positions are not always advertised. If you are interested in a lab, you can contact the Principal Investigator (PI) directly.

2. Include a cover letter and a CV. Make sure to discuss:

   1. Your research interests
   2. Why you are interested in this specific lab
   3. What skills/expertise you can bring to the lab
   4. Contacts for reference letters. If you ask your references to submit their letters at the time you send your application, your inquiry is less likely to go unnoticed.
3. If a PI does not reply, it is acceptable to re-send your inquiry.They may have missed your email. If possible, cc the PI’s administrative assistant on the correspondence.

4. Although by no means necessary, it can be helpful if someone you know can make a virtual introduction to the faculty whose lab you would like to join, or if you can introduce yourself in person (e.g. at a conference) before sending your application.

What to expect from the interview:

1. PIs often pre-screen candidates with a short one-on-one interview
2. Prospective candidates are then typically invited to present their work for the group and meet with several people in the lab, either virtually or in person. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask about:

   1. the lab environment

   2. mentorship 

   3. expectations

   4. timeline

   5. institutional benefits and opportunities for support

Rather than applying directly to the Koch Institute, graduate students must be admitted to MIT through one of the many academic departments where our faculty members also have appointments. You can find general information about applying to MIT graduate programs, as well as information about funding and considerations for international students, at the MIT Graduate Admissions website. However, each department has its own application website and its own detailed set of requirements. Please visit individual department websites to learn more.   

MIT and cross-registered Wellesley College undergraduates who are interested in internships at the Koch Institute may find positions through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), either by searching the UROP website for open positions or contacting faculty members directly to inquire about the possibility of working in their lab. 

Undergraduate students enrolled at other institutions may be eligible to participate in the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP), a 10-week research-intensive summer training program for non-MIT sophomore and junior science majors who have an interest in a research career. Students interested in training in labs in the departments of Biology, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, or Chemistry should apply to the MSRP-Bio program.  

Current openings at the Koch Institute, including administrative, technical, and support positions, can be found on the MIT Human Resources website. 

Visiting students and researchers must be invited by a faculty member to do research in their lab. Interested students and researchers may identify faculty members working in relevant fields and communicate with them directly to inquire about the possibility of a position. You can learn more about our faculty’s research via our faculty directory, and find out more about visiting appointments at the MIT Office of the Vice President for Research website. 

MIT offers a range of programs for elementary, middle, and high school students who are interested in science and engineering, including several selective, on-campus summer programs for high school students. The Koch Institute does not offer internships. Please visit our Tours and Field Trips  page to learn more about educational opportunities for groups of middle and high school students at the Koch Institute.