Molecular Biologist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Design complex, domain-specific molecular biology challenges for cutting-edge AI systems.

• Create problems related to primers for PCR, qPCR, and cloning procedures.

• Develop tasks that encompass plasmids, expression vectors, gRNA/sgRNA design, mRNA constructs, and HDR or repair templates.

• Generate precise, well-documented expert solutions to serve as reference standards.

• Utilize expertise in DNA and RNA sequence design to assess guide and target selection for CRISPR workflows.

• Evaluate primer melting temperature, specificity, and sequence appropriateness.

• Review the design of homology arms, codon optimization, and regulatory elements.

• Integrate cloning methodologies including Gibson, Golden Gate, Gateway, and restriction-based techniques.

• Examine AI-generated molecular biology solutions for accuracy, biological reasoning, rigor, and completeness.

• Detect errors in sequence design, experimental assumptions, construct architecture, and methodologies.

• Provide written feedback detailing technical strengths, weaknesses, and necessary corrections.

• Identify persistent knowledge gaps in AI model performance.

• Create rubrics and evaluation criteria for molecular biology and sequence design tasks.

• Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure consistency in training and evaluation data.

⛳️ Requirements

• Experienced molecular biology professional with advanced skills in nucleic acid sequence design, construct engineering, and experimental molecular biology.

• An advanced degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, synthetic biology, bioengineering, or a related life-science discipline is expected.

• PhD-level training is strongly preferred.

• Hands-on experience in designing nucleic acid constructs prior to experimental execution.

• Practical experience with primers, plasmids or vectors, gRNA/sgRNA, mRNA constructs, and HDR or repair templates.

• Experience with Gibson, Golden Gate, Gateway, or restriction cloning techniques.

• Strong understanding of codon optimization and principles of sequence design.

• A robust peer-reviewed publication record, particularly as a first author.

• Evidence of significant professional or research career advancement.

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to clearly justify technical design decisions.

• Availability for a minimum of 20 hours per week during weekdays.

• Experience with CRISPR guide design and genome-editing workflows.

• Advanced experience in plasmid or expression vector design.

• Expertise in mRNA or other RNA construct engineering.

• Experience in designing HDR or other repair templates.

• Familiarity with regulatory elements and expression optimization.

• Previous experience in AI training, model evaluation, or data annotation.

• Experience in developing scientific rubrics, technical assessments, or structured research evaluation frameworks.

🏝️ Benefits

• Fully remote work.

• Flexibility from part-time to full-time positions.

• Flexible commitment of approximately 20–40 hours per week based on project requirements and availability.

• Competitive hourly rates ranging from $65 to $100, depending on expertise and project scope.

• Opportunity to apply advanced molecular biology knowledge to foundational AI research.

• Engage in collaboration with scientific subject matter experts on impactful evaluation projects.