Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research provides educational and research opportunities for postdoctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students in the biological sciences.

A nonprofit, independent research institution, Whitehead Institute is affiliated with MIT through its members, who hold faculty positions at MIT. Bright young investigators direct labs at Whitehead Institute through the Whitehead Fellows program; and a larger number of young investigators hold traditional postdoctoral positions.

Each year, MIT students pursue graduate degrees at Whitehead Institute through the Department of Biology. Undergraduate students pursue research objectives through MIT's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

Whitehead Institute's research excellence is nurtured by the collaborative spirit of its faculty and the creativity and dedication of its student investigators and postdoctoral scientists. Research interests of the principal investigators at Whitehead Institute include genetics and genomics, epigenetics, plant biology, and development of new model systems. Areas of inquiry at Whitehead Institute include cancer, neurodevelopment and neurological disorders, cell renewal, regenerative biology, and infectious disease. Its scientists are at the forefront of imaging and CRISPR technologies.

Whitehead Institute is engaged in research collaborations with numerous academic and industrial partners worldwide. These partnerships expand the scope of Whitehead Institute research, as well as aid the translation of basic research into advances in disease prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.

Whitehead Institute also supports a suite of programs that foster high school science education and public engagement with science and technology. Students and postdoctoral scientists interested in science education and community outreach are encouraged to participate in these programs.

Further information may be obtained by visiting Whitehead Institute’s website; by contacting Human Resources, Whitehead Institute, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142-1479; or by calling 617-258-5555.