Lab Operations Associate

Active Site; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

PTO

Parental leave

Dev budget

Lunches

Job summary

Active Site is an independent nonprofit research organization focused on safeguards in AI biology. We seek an Operations Associate to support lab and office operations while contributing to analysis of uplift study results, including trial and lab workflows and IT management.

The role involves proctoring trials, lab prep and equipment handling, data-supported analysis, and ensuring smooth office operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 2 years work experience in a similar role.
• Laboratory experience (including academic research or coursework labs).
• Independent and proactive problem solver.
• Comfortable learning and using workplace tools like Slack, Asana, and Notion.

Responsibilities

• Trial operations: proctoring, participant communication, scheduling, and device management.
• Lab operations: aliquot reagents, restock inventory, troubleshoot equipment, manage waste disposal, maintain lab organization.
• Experimental analysis: run cell viability, fluorescence, colorimetric assays; prepare samples for sequencing; assist wet lab team.
• Office operations and facilities: maintain offices, own package receiving, pantry restocks, general organization.
• IT and documentation: setup devices for participant use, coordinate with vendors, manage mobile device management, document recurring workflows, flag risks.

Skills

Independent problem solver

Proactive communication

Laboratory experience

Slack, Asana, Notion proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 2 years work experience in a similar role

BA in Biology or related field (preferred)

Job description

Key details

• Location: Cambridge & Somerville, MA (Kendall and Inner Belt)

• Location Type: On-site

• Employment: Full-time, Temporary 6-month Term

• Start Date: As Soon As Possible

About Active Site

Active Site is an independent, nonprofit research organization dedicated to building a world where safeguards prevent frontier technology from enabling engineered pandemics.

AI models are rapidly becoming more capable in biology, amplifying the risk of accidental or intentional misuse. We conduct uplift studies, observing participants in real-world wet labs to measure how AI augments human performance in biological experimentation. We use our findings to advance the science of risk assessment and implement concrete mitigations that safeguard the future of AIxBio. Read more about our work in the Economist, the New York Times, our preprint, and substack.

The Role

We are seeking an Operations Associate with a strong interest in the intersection of AI and biology. In this role, you will play a key part in supporting lab and office operations and contribute directly to analysis of experimental results for our in-person uplift studies. You will support:

• Trial operations: Assist with trial operations, such as proctoring, participant communication, scheduling, and device management.

• Lab operations: Aliquot reagents, restock inventory, troubleshoot equipment, manage hazardous and biological waste disposal, and maintain an organized lab environment.

• Experimental analysis: Evaluate study samples by running cell viability assays, fluorescence, and colorimetric assays. Prepare samples for sequencing and assist the wet lab team where needed.

• Office operations and facilities: Maintain one of our offices. Own package receiving, pantry restocks, and general office organization.

• IT and documentation: Setup devices for participant use, coordinate with external vendors, and own mobile device management (MDM). Document recurring workflows and independently flag risks before they arise.

Competencies and qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or 2 years work experience in a similar role.

• Laboratory experience (including academic research or coursework labs).

• Independent and proactive problem solver.

• Comfortable learning and using workplace tools like Slack, Asana, and Notion.

Preferred:

• BA in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or equivalent field.

• Experience with human research or other participant/customer-facing operations (e.g., recruiting/scheduling participants, running study sessions in different settings).

• Enthusiasm about or experience in biosecurity, with the desire to learn fast and orient quickly in a new context.

Great candidates typically embody our core values:

• Truth-seeking: We chase the truth in order to keep us on the path to our mission.

• Drive: We take initiative and ownership over all our actions in dedication to our mission.

• Care: We ultimately do what we do because we care about each other and the world.

Salary and benefits

This is a full-time, in-person role, based in one of our offices in Cambridge, MA or Somerville, MA. The starting salary range is $65,000 per year, depending on prior experience. We offer:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage:

  • Medical: 100% Employer-Paid Premiums via UnitedHealthCare.

  • Dental & Vision: 75% Employer-Paid Premiums via BlueCross BlueShield and Guardian.

• 2 weeks of PTO over 6-months

• 12 weeks of fully-paid parental leave

• Professional development budget

• Daily delivered lunches

Work Authorization

This position is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals currently authorized to work in the U.S.

Visa Sponsorship: We welcome candidates on F-1 OPT status.

Our Hiring Process

No fixed deadline. We’re reviewing applications on a rolling basis and aim to move quickly.

• Step 1 Submit Your Application

• Step 2 Screening Call

• Step 3 Hiring Manager / Team Interview

• Step 4 In-Person Work Test

• Step 5 Offer

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations:

Active Site Research, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or gender expression, ancestry, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Active Site Research, Inc. also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Active Site Research, Inc. is an E-Verify employer. Active Site Research, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of this job, please let us know.