Genomics PhD - AI Model Specialist

Mercor; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

Cincinnatus LLC is seeking Genomics and Cell Biology SMEs to join a leading AI lab's research team on a part-time basis. You will contribute bench or computational expertise to guide AI model development for biology, with responsibilities spanning task design, data evaluation, and rubric creation.

Ideal candidates hold a PhD with hands-on experience across molecular cloning, CRISPR, sequencing, and functional genomics, and can commit to 20 hours per week on weekdays.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, genomics, or synthetic biology.
• Hands-on bench or computational experience with PCR/qPCR, cloning, CRISPR, cell-based assays, sequencing or functional genomics.
• Experience across multiple model systems and broad methods, not a single technique.
• Comfortable using scientific software and AI tools (no coding required).
• Able to commit to at least 20 hours per week on Weekdays.

Responsibilities

• Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps and improve AI model performance in biology tasks.
• Design challenging biology tasks, benchmarks and training data; draft solutions for construct design and assay planning.
• Evaluate AI outputs and provide written feedback on biological feasibility and workflows.
• Develop rubrics and verification processes for biology data produced by external teams.
• Collaborate with other SMEs to ensure data quality and consistency in training data.

Skills

PCR / qPCR

Molecular cloning

CRISPR

Cell-based assays

Sequence analysis

Functional genomics

Scientific software / AI tools

20 hours/week availability

Education

PhD in molecular biology or related field

Job description

Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge research team to be at the core of the AI revolution, where your expertise fuels the development of the most advanced LLMs.

1. Overview

Join a leading AI lab's cutting-edge research team and help build foundational AI models for science from the ground up. We're seeking talented Genomics and Cell Biology subject-matter experts (SMEs), including molecular biologists, cell biologists, geneticists and synthetic biologists working at the bench or computationally, to bring recent, hands-on laboratory expertise to the design and evaluation of advanced AI models for biology.

This is a part-time position through Cincinnatus LLC (or an appropriate international entity), with the opportunity to be placed at a leading AI Lab as part of their extended workforce.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Guide research and engineering teams to close knowledge gaps and improve AI model performance in molecular cloning, primer and CRISPR design, functional genomics, sequence analysis and cell-based assays.
• Design challenging, non-searchable biology tasks, benchmarks and training data, and write accurate, well-structured solutions to problems such as construct design, protocol planning and assay troubleshooting.
• Evaluate AI model outputs and step-by-step reasoning on biology tasks, judging the biological feasibility of proposed protocols and computational workflows, and provide clear, written technical feedback.
• Develop specifications, grading rubrics and verification processes for biology data produced by external technical teams, and act as the domain authority on data quality.
• Collaborate with other subject matter experts to ensure consistency and accuracy in training data.

3. Core Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, genomics, synthetic biology, biochemistry or a closely related discipline. Strong recent PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to apply.
• Recent, hands-on experience (bench or computational) with workflows such as PCR / qPCR, molecular cloning, CRISPR, cell-based assays, sequence analysis or functional genomics.
• Broad experience across organisms, model systems and methods, rather than a single narrow technique.
• Comfortable using scientific software and AI tools (no coding required).
• Ability to engage reliably for at least 20 hours/week during weekdays.
• Strong written communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to explain complex technical decisions clearly.
• Nice to have: 1 to 3 years of post-PhD experience, or experience evaluating AI models or agents, designing benchmarks, or writing grading rubrics.

About Cincinnatus LLC: Cincinnatus LLC is an enterprise staffing company that partners with leading technology companies to source and employ highly skilled professionals for contingent and contract-based opportunities. Cincinnatus, or an appropriate international entity, serves as the employer of record for these engagements, providing employment, payroll, benefits, and compliance, while placing employees directly within client teams to work on high-impact initiatives.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Cincinnatus is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or any other legally protected characteristic.