AI research Intern: RNA design

Biolevate; Paris; Hybride; EUR 11 000 - 16 000; Temps partiel

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Stock options

Private Office at Station F

Flexible hours & remote/hybrid options

International team culture

Résumé du poste

Biolevate, founded in Paris in 2024, builds AI-powered software that turns unstructured scientific data into actionable workflows for medical writing and regulatory work. This internship explores AI-guided RNA aptamer design, integrating artificial nucleotides and biology with computation in a collaborative, international team.

You will develop a baseline pipeline using natural RNA, represent artificial nucleotides, optimize aptamers, and rank candidates with a multi‑objective, explainable

Qualifications

• Interest in AI-guided design of biomolecules.
• Background in biology or bioinformatics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment.

Responsabilités

• Develop AI/computational pipeline using natural RNA.
• Represent artificial nucleotides computationally.
• Optimize aptamers by proposing modifications.
• Rank candidates with multi-objective framework.

Connaissances

AI/ML basics

Biology knowledge

RNA biology

Data analysis

Outils

OCEAN platform

Description du poste

Want to boost your career at the intersection of AI, science and industry?

Biolevate builds AI-powered software that turns unstructured scientific data into reliable, collaborative workflows for medical writing and regulatory work. Our platform helps scientists, clinicians and medical writers move faster while maintaining the rigor their work demands.

Founded in Paris in 2024, we combine a commercial SaaS platform with in-house research in oncology and dermatology. It is an unusually practical place to work on AI: the systems we build are used both to advance scientific research and to help bring therapies to patients faster.

Biolevate Science team

At Biolevate, the Science team is building a new way to think about biology. We start from a simple conviction: disease is not random chaos, but a biological language - a logic of how life adapts, resists, and reorganises under pressure. Our scientists use advanced multi-omics reasoning to listen to this language across genes, RNAs, proteins, pathways, and clinical context, and to reconstruct the rules that drive health and disease.

Rather than generating ever more lists of genes, we work to integrate diverse biological layers into coherent programs and convert them into testable, traceable hypotheses. This helps us identify mechanistic patient subgroups, uncover hidden regulators of response and resistance, and prioritise therapeutic targets with a clear biological rationale. Along the way, we rely on platforms like OCEAN to support a more explicit and structured way of reasoning through complex biology.

The goal is always to close the loop: we design experiments, validate hypotheses in cellular and ex vivo models, and translate what we learn into patents, biomarkers, new targets, and smarter trial strategies. In practice, this means moving from data to decisions - using evidence that is mechanistically grounded, auditable, and strong enough to support real R&D choices.

Within a few years, this approach has already contributed to a growing patent portfolio, redefined disease logic in oncology, and uncovered patient categories invisible to genetics alone. At Biolevate, scientists remain in control of meaning while AI expands their capacity to explore, explain, and anticipate biology’s logic. Together, we are building a shared intelligence of biology - one that connects discovery to real clinical impact for patients.

Role overview

Scientific context

Aptamers are short nucleic acids capable of adopting three-dimensional structures that enable the specific recognition of molecular targets, particularly proteins. They represent a particularly promising class of molecules for diagnostics, research, and potentially therapeutic applications.

However, natural RNA relies on a chemical alphabet limited to four nucleotides—A, U, G, and C which constrains the diversity of chemical interactions available for protein recognition.

Expanded Genetic Information Systems (AEGIS), and in particular the Hachimoji system, expand this alphabet through the introduction of artificial nucleotides such as P, Z, B, and S.

Recent studies have shown that a multisubunit bacterial RNA polymerase can recognize and efficiently transcribe an expanded genetic alphabet containing the P:Z and B:S base pairs. Cryo-EM structures notably show that these base pairs can adopt geometries similar to those of natural Watson–Crick base pairs.

These findings open up the possibility of producing functional RNAs based on an expanded genetic alphabet, such as AegisBinders.

At the same time, recent advances in artificial intelligence now make it possible to jointly model sequences, molecular structures, and biomolecular interactions.

Internship goals

The internship aims to develop an AI-guided computational approach for designing and optimizing RNA aptamers containing artificial nucleotides. The main goal is to determine when, where, and which artificial nucleotide should be introduced and to predict its impact on RNA folding and protein‑target recognition. The project will specifically evaluate whether expanding the natural RNA alphabet provides measurable advantages.

• Objective 1 – Establish a baseline: Develop a reference AI/computational pipeline using only natural RNA (A/U/G/C) to predict aptamer structure, protein interactions, and substitution effects.
• Objective 2 – Represent artificial nucleotides: Develop chemistry‑aware representations of artificial nucleotides (particularly Hachimoji P/Z/B/S) based on their structural and chemical properties.
• Objective 3 – Optimize aptamers: Develop a method to determine where and which artificial nucleotide to introduce into an aptamer and predict its impact on RNA folding and target binding.
• Objective 4 – Rank and explain candidates: Create a multi‑objective ranking system considering binding, RNA stability, selectivity, feasibility, and model confidence, while providing a structural explanation for each proposed modification.

Why Biolevate

• Meaningful mission: We are building a new way to understand biology - one that treats disease as a causal, mechanistic system rather than a collection of disconnected signals. As a researcher at Biolevate, your work helps turn complex biological data into clearer hypotheses, sharper questions, and more relevant scientific insight.
• Scientific impact: Your research will contribute directly to the discovery of mechanistic patient subgroups, actionable targets, biomarkers, and smarter trial strategies. The work is not theoretical for its own sake: it is designed to move from biological signal to meaningful scientific and clinical decisions.
• Deep biological reasoning: You will work with a platform built to integrate multi‑layer evidence across omics, pathways, network logic, literature, and pharmacology. That means less time spent navigating fragmented data and more time uncovering true drivers, hidden regulators, resistance mechanisms, and the biological context that gives results meaning.
• Rigor and traceability: Biolevate is a place for researchers who care about evidence quality. We value explicit reasoning, ranked evidence, auditable logic, and testable hypotheses - so the science is not only insightful, but defensible and reproducible.
• Close collaboration and partnership: Research here does not stop at analysis. We work in close partnership with internal teams and external collaborators to turn biological insight into shared next steps, aligned interpretation, and stronger scientific decisions. That creates a true loop between computation, biology, and collective problem‑solving.
• Ownership and growth: You will have the opportunity to shape how new biology is discovered and interpreted, with room to influence methods, standards, and scientific direction as the company grows.
• Paris-based deeptech environment: Join a team working at the intersection of biology, data, and decision intelligence in a strong French deeptech ecosystem - with the ambition to create tools and insights that matter globally.

Life at Biolevate

We value authenticity and benevolence. Every team member contributes their unique background and life journey, which makes us a stronger collective. Beyond work, we genuinely enjoy spending time together, team dinners, weekend treks, sport sessions, offsites, and many shared experiences that build strong bonds.

What we offer

At Biolevate, you’ll be part of a dynamic, international team shaping the future of drug discovery and medical innovation. We combine deep science, cutting‑edge AI, and internal research to deliver real‑world impact. Join us to build a global brand with purpose and grow in a high‑trust, high‑growth environment with a compelling package that includes stock options.

• Attractive Financial Package:We offer a compelling package - includes a competitive salary and stock options- that recognizes your skills and experience, ensuring you feel valued for your contributions to our innovative projects.
• Private Office - Station F , the world’s largest startup campus, in Paris.
• Flexible Work Arrangements:We support work‑life balance with flexible working hours and options for remote or hybrid work arrangements, understanding the value of flexibility in today’s dynamic world.
• Collaborative & International Culture:Experience a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment. We value each team member’s contribution and encourage sharing ideas and feedback.
• Authentic Team Culture: We value authenticity and benevolence. Our diverse backgrounds make us stronger, and we enjoy building real connections through team moments like dinners, sports, offsites, and share experiences.

Interview Process

Our hiring process can be adapted when needed, but generally includes the following steps :

• First screening interview (visio)
• Meet the Biolevate team at Station F and meet founders
• Internal review
• Offer

Data Protection Notice

By submitting your application, you consent to Biolevate collecting and processing your personal data for recruitment purposes. We process your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable data protection laws.

Data collected: Name, contact details, CV, cover letter, and any information you provide during the recruitment process.

Purpose: To evaluate your candidacy for current and future positions within our organization.

Retention: Your data will be retained for a maximum of 24 months after your last interaction with us. If you are not selected, your data will be anonymized or deleted upon request or at the end of this retention period.

Your rights: You have the right to access, rectify, delete, or request portability of your data. You may also withdraw your consent at any time. To exercise these rights, please contact us at [e-mail] .

Your data is stored securely and will not be shared with third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law.