FAQs

Early Career REsearchers Application FAQs

What is included in a complete application?

First, you completed the application on Workday for either the RA position or the CA position. A Spark Hire interview and a Codility report (for CA roles only) along with the initial Workday application make up a complete application for the Early Career Researchers program. If you have applied to become both a Research Associate and a Computational Associate, you only need to complete one Spark Hire interview even though you may be prompted to complete two.

I thought I completed my application, why haven't I heard back from you?

In order to move your application forward, we need the completed Spark Hire interview and the completed Codility report if you applied to be a CA. Please make sure all of your materials have been completed. The matching process begins once we have all of your materials.

What happens after I submit all of my application materials?

After you have submitted all of the required application materials, a recruiter will review them and you will enter into the Early Career Researchers matching process. Your information will be sent along to labs and hiring managers (based on your interests and skill).

If a hiring manager is interested in you, they will reach out to you directly for a phone screen. If you seem like a good match, you will then be a part of a group interview with members of that lab. You can use this site to research the lab you might be interviewing with! The hiring decision will be made shortly after the group interview. Please view the resources tab for interview tips.

How am I matched with a lab?

We consider your scientific skillset, interests, and long-term career goals to match you with the appropriate lab. You will have the opportunity to indicate which available opportunity you would like to be considered for through this process.

Is this process a rotational program?

No, if multiple labs are interested in extending an offer, you will connect with our team to determine which opportunity you would like to proceed with. That said, if you accept an offer with a group, you will work with that group full-time.

How long does the Early Career Researchers hiring process take?

The Early Career Researchersprogram has two main cycles that mirror the academic calendar year. Candidates may apply to the Fall Early Decision Cycle (September to December). Candidates will be notified about their status by December 2022. If a candidate is not selected in the Fall Cycle, they may also decide to continue to the Spring Cycle (January to April). Candidates will then be notified by May 2023 at the latest of their status.

Once you are entered into the process, you will be sent along to multiple positions for consideration. We encourage you to keep us up to date with your external interview activity so we can try our best to expedite the process.

I noticed that there are individual postings via the careers webpage, should I apply to those positions, too?

The positions posted on our external webpage are looking for someone with immediate availability. All of the positions listed on this site will accommodate a Spring/Summer start date in 2023 after you graduate. If there is a posting that is available on our careers webpage and is not listed on this site, please let your recruiter know that you would like to be considered for that opportunity via email. You do not need to reapply.

How can I indicate my interest in a specific lab?

You can indicate your interest in a specific lab during your Spark Hire interview and via email (ecr@broadinstitute.org). You do not need to apply to multiple positions to be considered for them as your single application through the Early Career Researchers recruiting program is enough.

I received a rejection email, am I still in consideration for additional opportunities at Broad?

During the Early Career Researchers matching process, you may receive a rejection email from a specific lab. If you have not received a rejection email from the general RA, CA- Early Career Researchers Recruiting 2022 Graduates application, you are still in consideration for additional opportunities across Broad.

Will there be additional opportunities available?

Yes, we recommend you bookmark this site and check for updates. Although not guaranteed, there may be available opportunities that open closer towards the Spring.

If I would like to be considered for two of the positions for Spring 2022 Graduates should I apply to both?

If you have applied to the Research Associate position and would like to be considered for Associate Computational Biologist positions, you do need to complete an additional Workday application. Please let your Early Career Researchers recruiter know you would like to be considered for an additional role. Please note that all Associate Computational Biologist applicants are required to submit a coding skills test.

What’s the difference between these opportunities and the BBPS program?

The Broad Biomedical Post-baccalaureate Scholars (BBPS) program complements an RA or ACB role and is completely separate. BBPS candidates need to have a job offer from a Broad research lab in order to be accepted into the program, but receiving a job offer does not guarantee admission into BBPS. BBPS has a limited number of spots and we aren't able to accept all candidates. However, the Broad has a plethora of resources, opportunities, and support outside of the BBPS program to help employees continue their training. For questions about BBPS, please contact bbps@broadinstitute.org, or read more on the Post-Bac tab on this page.

How long do I have to make a final decision on an offer?

You will have 2 weeks from when you have received an official offer letter via Workday to make a final decision.

Who is my point of contact during the Early Career Researchers application process?

If you have any questions not answered in the FAQs about the application process, please email ecr@broadinstitute.org.