Biology PhD Research Contributor at Mercor

Biology PhD Research Contributor | $80–125/hr | Worldwide Remote

Mercor is seeking PhD-level life scientists with published research experience to support an AI research initiative with a leading AI lab. You will apply your deep domain expertise in biology to create rigorous scientific challenges that shape how next-generation AI systems reason about the life sciences.

Key Responsibilities

• Design scientifically accurate challenges spanning molecular biology, genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, and/or proteomics
• Develop experimental challenges that evaluate controls, confounders, reproducibility, and data interpretation
• Produce high-quality training data including research-level questions, answers, and evaluation rubrics
• Provide structured feedback on wet-lab protocols, computational analysis pipelines, and study design
• Apply bioinformatics and quantitative reasoning to calibrate AI model performance on complex biological problems

Required Qualifications

• PhD or MD/PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioengineering, systems biology, or a related life-science field
• Currently or recently active in academia — faculty, staff scientist, research scientist, or postdoc with an active institutional affiliation
• Hands-on wet-lab experience — must have designed and executed experiments (not purely computational)
• Strong experimental design skills with demonstrated expertise in controls, confounders, and reproducibility
• Domain expertise in at least one of: Genomics, Transcriptomics, Epigenetics, or Proteomics/Protein Biochemistry
• Published peer-reviewed work or influential preprints/tools/datasets (e.g., first/second author papers or widely used methods)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in computational biology, bioinformatics, statistical genetics, or machine learning for omics
• Breadth across molecular modalities: DNA/RNA/protein biology, gene expression, and translation
• Familiarity with protein assays (Western blot, ELISA, mass spectrometry-based proteomics)
• Exposure to small molecules or chemical biology

This role begins as a pilot program requiring high engagement and excellence, with strong potential for extension based on performance.