Machine Learning Research Engineer

Constructive Bio; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology startup in Cambridge is seeking an ML engineer to develop state-of-the-art sequence models. This role involves implementing models, building experimentation pipelines, and shaping ML infrastructure. The ideal candidate has a relevant degree and hands-on experience with PyTorch and Hugging Face. The company offers a competitive salary, employee share options, and a collaborative environment focused on innovation.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Employee share option plan

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private health insurance

Pension plan matching up to 8%

On-site parking

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with the ML research and development lifecycle.
• Hands-on experience with PyTorch and Hugging Face libraries.
• Solid understanding of algorithms and software design principles.
• Growth mindset and curiosity for biology.

Responsibilities

• Implement and benchmark state-of-the-art sequence models.
• Build robust experimentation pipelines for logging and hyperparameter sweeps.
• Apply fine-tuning protocols on internal datasets.
• Refactor research code into clean, maintainable code.
• Identify technical gaps and propose solutions.
• Foster a high-trust engineering culture through documentation and code reviews.

Skills

ML research and development lifecycle

PyTorch

Hugging Face libraries

Algorithms understanding

Software design principles

Collaboration

Communication skills

Education

BSc or MSc in Engineering

Job description

Constructive Bio is a VC-backed biotechnology startup based in Whittlesford, Cambridge. Our unique technology turns living cells into biofactories, creating sustainable new materials and therapeutics. With full control of the genetic sequence and code, we are exploring chemical space previously unreached by natural biology.

Constructive Bio is a spinout from Professor Jason Chin's laboratory at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. Learn more about the Chin lab achievements here:https://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/ccsb/jason-chin/

We recently secured $58 million Series A fundraising. Read more here: https://www.constructive.bio/blog/news/constructive-bio-secures-58-million-in-series-a-financing

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for an ML engineer to turn prototypes into functional systems. You will build and maintain our codebase, scale training pipelines, and align model with in-house data to develop state-of-the-art sequence models for genetic sequence design. This is a unique opportunity to work at the frontier of generative biology and accelerate wet-lab experimentation. As our second ML hire, you’ll help shape our ML infrastructure and define engineering standards for everything that follows.

Responsibilities:

• Implement and benchmark state-of-the-art sequence models (e.g., transformer, diffusion models)
• Build robust experimentation pipelines (dashboards, logging, and hyperparameter sweeps).
• Apply fine-tuning protocols (LoRA/PEFT, adapters) on internal datasets.
• Refactor research code into clean, modular and maintainable code
• Identify technical gaps and advise novel solutions (e.g. distributed training pipelines)
• Foster a high-trust engineering culture: write clear, well- documented code and participate in code reviews.

Requirements:

• BSc or MSc in an Engineering discipline. Demonstrated experience with the ML research and development lifecycle.
• Hands-on experience with PyTorch, Hugging Face libraries.
• Solid understanding of algorithms, data structures, and software design principles.
• Growth mindset and curiosity for biology – we’ll teach you the rest
• Collaborative team player with excellent communication skills
  

Desirable skills:

• Domain experience in computational biology, particularly genomic language models.
• Publications or open-source contributions in machine learning or bioinformatics.

What’s in it for you? Why work at Constructive Bio?

We are a small but rapidly growing team, with a vision to become the programmable biomolecules company and push the boundaries of what’s possible between biology and chemistry. As an early joiner, you will have a unique opportunity to help shape our trajectory and make real impact from day one.

We offer:

• Newly fitted dedicated site in Whittlesford near Cambridge – on-site parking and regular trains to Cambridge, London and Norwich

• Competitive salary

• Employee share option plan

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Private health insurance

• Pension plan (matching up to 8%)

• Collaborative and pioneering environment, at the leading edge of synthetic genomics and engineered translation

We want to build a team with trust and respect for each other and create a culture of collaboration, openness, curiosity, and scientific excellence.

We are built on three principles:

• We imagine:We think big and plan our own path for success.

• We pioneer:We take action and grow together as one to break moulds.

• We deliver:We take ownership and work together to deliver excellence.

Constructive Bio is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.