Molecular Biology Expert

Contract Type: Hourly Contract
Location: Remote – United Kingdom
Compensation: $70–$105/hour
Commitment: Part-time to full-time, up to 40 hours/week

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Molecular Biology subject-matter experts (SMEs) with hands-on expertise in DNA and RNA sequence design, construct engineering, and molecular biology research.

You will work with AI research and engineering teams to improve the quality of training data and model performance in molecular biology, nucleic-acid sequence design, and construct engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on molecular biology concepts, sequence design, and construct engineering.

• Develop challenging, domain-relevant tasks and accurate, well-documented solutions covering:

  • Primers for PCR, qPCR, and cloning

  • Plasmids and expression vectors

  • gRNA/sgRNA for CRISPR editing

  • mRNA and other RNA constructs

  • HDR and repair templates

• Evaluate AI-generated molecular biology outputs against expert-level solutions.

• Provide clear technical feedback on accuracy, rigor, and biological reasoning.

• Develop guidelines, rubrics, and evaluation frameworks for assessing sequence-design quality, including guide/target selection, homology-arm length, primer melting temperature and specificity, codon optimization, and regulatory elements.

• Collaborate with other subject-matter experts to maintain consistency and accuracy across training data.

Requirements

• Advanced degree, preferably a PhD, in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, or a related life-science field.

• Hands-on experience designing nucleic-acid constructs before experimentation across several of the following:

  • Primers

  • Plasmids/vectors

  • gRNA/sgRNA

  • mRNA

  • HDR/repair templates

• Experience with cloning strategies such as Gibson, Golden Gate, Gateway, or restriction-based cloning.

• Experience with codon optimization.

• Strong peer-reviewed publication record, preferably including first-author research in established scientific journals.

• Demonstrable career progression.

• Ability to commit reliably to at least 20 hours per week during weekdays.

• Experience with AI training, model evaluation, or data annotation is preferred.

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

Work Arrangement

• Fully remote within the United Kingdom.

• Part-time to full-time engagement.

• Up to 40 hours per week.

• Minimum expected availability of 20 hours per week on weekdays.

• Opportunity to contribute directly to advanced AI research and training.

Contract & Payment Terms

• Engagement terms may vary based on the applicable employment arrangement.

• Projects may be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on project needs and performance.

• Work will not involve access to confidential or proprietary information from any employer, client, or institution.

• Payments are made weekly through Stripe or Wise based on services rendered.

• H1-B and STEM OPT candidates cannot be supported at this time.

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.