AI/ML Scientist, Computational Biology — AP-MS Analytics

Planet Pharma; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking a hands-on AI/ML Scientist specializing in computational biology on a contract basis in California. The role collaborates with bioinformatics and team scientists to design analyses for downstream machine learning, focusing on AP-MS data, profile similarity, and batch effect control.

You will build reproducible analyses, document methods and assumptions, and ensure data preprocessing preserves biological information while meeting project goals.

Qualifications

• Degree in computational biology, bioinformatics, statistics, quantitative biological science, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing biological assay data and translating scientific requirements into practical analytical workplans.
• Strong statistical judgment in assessing reproducibility, experimental controls, batch effects, and measurement uncertainty.
• Proficiency in Python or R, with experience building reproducible analyses, maintaining code in Git, and documenting methods.
• Experience assessing data quality, missingness, preprocessing assumptions, and the suitability of datasets for downstream analysis.
• Working knowledge of machine learning validation, including held-out evaluation, confounding, and risks of information leakage.
• Ability to explain uncertainty and analytical tradeoffs clearly and collaborate effectively with bioinformaticians, chemists, and biologists.
• Ability to independently execute defined work, meet agreed milestones, incorporate feedback, and handle internal data securely.

Responsibilities

• Work with bioinformatics and team scientists to define analytical requirements, deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria for experimental data that will be used for machine learning.
• Assess AP-MS profile similarity and technical reproducibility, considering quantitative support, missingness, controls, and uncertainty.
• Evaluate plate and batch effects, distinguishing technical variation from biological differences and experimental confounding.
• Support reference-panel pilot design and assess scoring and normalization approaches against agreed validation criteria for AP-MS and other data types.
• Assess whether preprocessing preserves biological information and produces suitable inputs for downstream modeling.
• Build reproducible analyses and document methods, assumptions, limitations, and provenance.
• Support scientific data evaluation and benchmark design as needed.
• Communicate findings and unresolved questions, coordinate follow-up with bioinformatics, and align analytical work with team needs.

Skills

Python

R

Git

Statistics

Data quality

ML validation

Communication

Independent work

Education

Computational biology, bioinformatics, statistics or related field

Tools

AP-MS

Job description

Planet Pharma is seeking a hands-on AI/ML Scientist specializing in computational biology on a contract basis in California. The role collaborates with bioinformatics and team scientists to design analyses for downstream machine learning, focusing on AP-MS data, profile similarity, and batch effect control.

You will build reproducible analyses, document methods and assumptions, and ensure data preprocessing preserves biological information while meeting project goals.