Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Join a leading biomedical research philanthropy.

Meaningful mission, smart colleagues, great benefits

We encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can function at their highest level. As HHMI scientists continue to discover important breakthroughs, you can be sure that your contributions while working at HHMI are making a difference around the world.

HHMI is widely recognized as the world’s foremost medical research organization and a leading light in science education. We have achieved this leadership role by aligning our mission with our vision, capitalizing on change, and encouraging risk taking, and fostering innovation. At the root of our work is the belief that significant advances in science are made possible when exceptionally talented researchers are given the time and freedom to pursue their interests and challenging, long-range questions.

At HHMI, you are not just an employee—you are part of a creative and talented team with colleagues whose expertise ranges from biomedical research to investment management, from information technology to law. Together, we are working toward a common goal—advancing biomedical research and promoting science education.

Whether you work at a laboratory located at one of our partner universities, medical schools, or research institutions; field offices; Janelia Research Campus; or Chevy Chase, MD, headquarters, you will be surrounded by an extraordinary group of people who challenge each other every day to do their best work.

Our employees work at HHMI to be part of one of the most respected organizations of its kind in the world and to contribute to HHMI’s mission of excellence in biomedical research and science education.

In addition to an excellent work environment, highly competitive pay and benefits, our people value HHMI for its mission, innovation, creativity, financial resources, professional development opportunities, and work/life balance—all of which help provide a rewarding and fulfilling work experience.

- Talent. We hire the best. We’ve earned a worldwide reputation for innovation and creativity because of our people.

- Innovation. What’s next? That’s a question our people ask themselves every day. The drive toward “next” is an essential part of the scientific endeavor and of HHMI’s culture—which values bold thinking, risk-taking, and innovation.

- Collaboration. Active collaboration is a key part of our culture. We provide resources, time, and freedom for our employees to do their jobs. Each day our people work together on projects where they can make a difference.

- Resources. To engage the best and most talented people, we offer a vibrant and supportive workplace that fosters professional growth and development.

- Like-minded. We are diverse professionals united by a shared passion. We value commitment, creativity, honesty, integrity, intelligence, and teamwork.

Janelia Research Campus is HHMI’s pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental neuroscience and imaging in a uniquely innovative, collaborative atmosphere. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute founded Janelia in 2006 to complement the long-standing HHMI investigator program. Our goal was to address the constraints of academic research by providing an alternative research environment to drive science forward. Janelia currently has an emphasis on two research areas: developing new imaging methods and discovering the basic principles underlying computation by neuronal circuits.

Today, Janelia includes 50 labs, nine project teams, and additional scientific support staff. In addition to lab heads, our scientists include over 380 researchers, more than 100 postdocs, and roughly 20 graduate students. Janelians come from 26 countries. In addition, every year approximately 155 visiting scientists spend time working at Janelia and close to 1000 attend our scientific conferences and workshops. At Janelia, we embrace diversity, with biologists, chemists, physicists, computational scientists, theorists, and engineers all working in close collaboration.

Designed to inspire original thinking, the Janelia campus includes 700 acres of woods and meadow on the banks of the Potomac River, in Ashburn, Virginia, near Washington D.C. Janelians work in a modern, curving, glass-and-concrete building that unobtrusively nestles into the landscape. On-campus housing, a pub, a fitness center, child care, and otheramenities make Janelia a convenient, comfortable environment for researchers and a welcoming place for their families.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community.

Scientific research is a collaborative endeavor, and diverse perspectives increase the odds of success. For more than 15 years, HHMI has supported scientists and students from diverse backgrounds in science. Today, in addition to that work, we are turning more attention toward institutional and systemic equity and inclusion – in the lab, college classroom, and office. And we are taking steps to make HHMI a more inclusive organization.

Benefits at a Glance

Our employees are rewarded in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional benefits, and a range of work/life programs.

* Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
* Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long Term Care Insurance
* 403(b) Retirement Plans
* Time Off and Holidays
* Paid Family Leave
* Disability Coverage
* Health Savings Accounts
* Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Benefits
* Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development
* Employee Assistance Program
* Employee Discount Programs
* Voluntary Benefit Programs

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is an equal opportunity employer. Benefits may vary based on eligibility criteria.