Molecular Biology Expert - Remote UK Contract
Listing checked September 12, 2026 · pay as published by Mercor
Overview
A leading AI lab's GenAI group needs molecular biology subject matter experts to sharpen how foundational models reason about sequence design. You will work on DNA and RNA constructs such as primers, plasmids, guide RNAs, mRNA, and repair templates, then turn that knowledge into high-quality AI training data. The role sits with Cincinnatus LLC as a W-2 employer, with placement into the AI lab's extended workforce. You commit at least 20 hours across weekdays and help build CRISPR-related tasks, model evaluation rubrics, and written feedback that keeps training data accurate.
What You'll Do5
- 1Partner with research and engineering teams to locate weak spots in a model's molecular biology reasoning, then build tasks that target those gaps.
- 2Design challenging sequence problems and document expert solutions for primers used in PCR, qPCR, and cloning, plasmids and expression vectors, gRNA and sgRNA for CRISPR editing, mRNA and RNA constructs, and HDR or repair templates.
- 3Audit model outputs and submitted tasks against expert answers, then give written feedback on accuracy, experimental rigor, and biological logic.
- 4Author scoring guides and rubrics that define quality for guide and target selection, homology arm length, primer melting temperature and specificity, codon optimization, and regulatory elements.
- 5Coordinate with other subject matter experts to keep training data consistent and correct.
Requirements8
- 1Advanced degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, synthetic biology, bioengineering, or a related life science field. A PhD earns strong preference.
- 2Hands-on record designing nucleic acid constructs before bench work: primers, plasmids and vectors, gRNA and sgRNA, mRNA, and HDR or repair templates. Show several of these.
- 3Familiarity with cloning methods such as Gibson, Golden Gate, Gateway, and restriction cloning, plus codon optimization.
- 4Published peer-reviewed work, with weight on first-author papers in venues like Nature and Nature family journals, Cell, eLife, Nucleic Acids Research, PNAS, or EMBO Journal. Provide publication links with your application.
- 5Clear career progression.
- 6Ability to commit at least 20 hours per week on weekdays.
- 7Bonus: prior AI training, model evaluation, or data annotation work.
- 8Strong written communication. Explain design choices with precision.
Who Should Apply
The strongest candidates hold a PhD or advanced life science degree and have designed primers, plasmids, gRNA, mRNA, or repair templates before running experiments. They can point to first-author papers in journals such as Nature, Cell, or Nucleic Acids Research and explain every design choice in clear written prose. This work suits someone who can set aside at least 20 weekday hours and wants to shape AI model evaluation rather than run wet-lab experiments. Applicants without direct sequence design experience, or those who rely on lab protocols written by others, tend to score low. A thin publication record or vague explanations of cloning strategy also weakens fit, because the role demands evidence of independent design judgment.
Salary Insight
The engagement pays between $70.00 and $105.00 per hour. This range sits near the top for expert molecular biology work on AI training projects, and candidates with a PhD plus first-author papers in journals such as Nature or Cell often reach the higher end.
Pay and demand for Biotechnology roles
AggregatedTypical pay
$80/hour
This role
$70–$105/hr
Most Biotechnology roles pay $62–$94 per hour. This role's pay falls inside that range.
Based on 63 similar roles that publish pay · 6 publish only a top rate; those count at the rate they gave
Rates shown per hour. Yearly and monthly pay converted; one-time fees and non-USD pay are not included.
- Live similar roles
- 72
- Listed in last 30 days
- 34
- Remote
- 97%
Hiring most right now: micro1 (26) · Mercor (19) · AfterQuery (7)
Most requested skills · share of roles
- biology26%
- molecular biology24%
- biochemistry22%
- genetics19%
Figures from Biotechnology roles live on NearSkill when this page loaded. A role can close before you apply, so check the listing itself.
Compare your resume against these rolesLocation
Compensation
$70–105/hr
Required Skills
Application Tip
Add a short sequence design portfolio to your application that names each construct type, the cloning method you used, and your exact contribution. Include DOI links for first-author papers and state your weekday availability of at least 20 hours.
See NearSkill jobs more often in your search
Application & verification flow
1Instant rubric match
Your resume is scanned against this role’s requirements to check qualification fit.
2Screened before the employer sees it
Only profiles that clear screening are passed on.
3Outcome by email
We notify you at the address on your resume once the screening is reviewed.
Similar open positions
Explore active roles that match your skills and interests.
Mercor
VerifiedMolecular Biology Subject Matter Expert - US Remote
An AI lab's GenAI group needs molecular biology subject matter experts to shape the data behind foundational models. You will work as a W-2 employee of Cincinnatus LLC while sitting on the lab's extended workforce, designing DNA and RNA constructs that test and teach model reasoning. The team wants people who have built primers, plasmids, guide RNAs, mRNA, and repair templates before, not just studied them. Your designs, written solutions, and rubrics become ground truth for judging sequence quality. Expect close work with researchers, engineers, and other SMEs.
AfterQuery
VerifiedMolecular Biology Expert - Remote Contract
AfterQuery seeks life science researchers to help frontier AI labs measure how well models reason about molecular biology. You will design assay design and data interpretation scenarios, write reference answers that show the mechanism behind each result, and grade model output for pathway accuracy. The work stays inside biochemistry and molecular biology, so your scientific judgment matters more than volume. Commit about 10 hours per week, choose your schedule, and receive weekly pay through Stripe at $60 to $120 per hour.
Micro1
VerifiedBiologist for AI Data Training Remote Contract
micro1 seeks a contractor with deep cellular and molecular biology expertise to contribute to a forward‑looking customer project. You will apply CRISPR, cloning, and genotyping know‑how to generate real‑world data that informs AI model training. The role emphasizes clear written and verbal communication to shape expert content for model learning. Remote work is supported and hands‑on wet lab experience is highly valued, especially CRISPR and cellular studies.
Micro1
VerifiedMolecular Biology Expert for AI Data Content and Review
Remote contractor role guiding AI data initiatives through domain expertise in molecular biology. You’ll review experimental data, craft precise annotations, and judge AI outputs for scientific accuracy. Your insights help shape how AI systems reason about biology and perform on real-world tasks, with no prior AI experience required beyond deep domain knowledge. Expect collaboration with technical teams to deliver high-quality, science-ready content and datasets. Molecular biology expertise and current techniques drive every decision.
Micro1
VerifiedBiology Expert
micro1 is looking for a Biology Expert to help train cutting-edge AI systems in the life sciences. You'll use your deep domain knowledge to refine how models understand complex biological concepts — no previous AI experience needed. This remote contract role is ideal for scientists who enjoy communicating their expertise through clear, accurate written work.
AfterQuery
VerifiedBiology Expert - Remote AI Evaluation Contract
AfterQuery's STEM group seeks biology specialists to sharpen how AI systems reason about the life sciences. You will hold a remote contract that averages 20 hours each week, with a focus on model training and evaluation. Daily work spans writing difficult biology prompts, reviewing model responses for accuracy and sound reasoning, and catching mistakes such as invented citations, obsolete taxonomy, or mechanisms applied to the wrong context. You may also draft reference answers and build grading rubrics that other reviewers use.