Molecular Biology Research Associate

activesite; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Active Site Research, Inc. seeks a Molecular Biology Research Associate for a 12-week on-site program in Somerville, MA.

You will lead independent DNA assembly projects, design primers, run PCR and gel analyses, purify DNA, and prepare sequencing samples while using frontier AI tools to inform experimental design. The role emphasizes high autonomy in a state-of-the-art BSL‑1 lab, with 4 hours/day shifts, competitive $40/hour pay, and a $2,000 performance bonus.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with DNA in a real lab.
• Ability to design and execute PCR and gel-based workflows.
• Experience with DNA cloning and sequence verification.
• Ability to troubleshoot experiments independently.
• Familiarity with Benchling or similar lab software.

Responsibilities

• Design DNA sequences, fragments, primers, and assembly strategies.
• Set up and troubleshoot PCR.
• Run and interpret agarose gels.
• Purify DNA and prepare samples for sequencing.
• Analyze sequencing results and alignments.
• Perform molecular cloning.
• Leverage frontier AI tools to guide experimental design.

Skills

PCR setup

Gel electrophoresis

DNA assembly

Cloning workflows

Sequencing analysis

Benchling

Independent troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Biology or related

Currently enrolled PhD candidates welcome

Tools

Benchling

Claude Code

Codex

Biomni

Job description

Molecular Biology Research Associate — AI & Biosecurity

Location: On-site in Somerville, MA (East Somerville / Inner Belt)

Dates: September 28–December 18, 2026

Schedule: 4 hours/day, Monday–Friday. Choose one consistent shift:

• 8:45 AM–12:45 PM
• 1:15 PM–5:15 PM

Compensation: $40/hour + eligibility for a $2,000 performance bonus

Help answer an important question at the frontier of AI & biology

What can today's AI systems actually help someone accomplish in a real biology lab?

Active Site is recruiting a cohort of molecular biology associates for a 12-week research project investigating AI, DNA synthesis, and biosecurity.

DNA synthesis screening is a critical safeguard between digital biological designs and their creation in the physical world. As AI systems become increasingly capable at designing and reasoning about DNA, researchers, synthesis providers, and policymakers need empirical evidence about how well today's safeguards perform in practice.

In this project, you'll work hands‑on with frontier AI tools and benign proxy DNA sequences to stress‑test the robustness of DNA synthesis screening. You'll independently design and execute experimental workflows in our BSL‑1 lab and help generate real‑world evidence about what AI‑assisted molecular biology looks like today.

The project is being conducted alongside organizations working on DNA synthesis and technical safeguards, and its results are intended to inform both industry practice and emerging policy.

About Active Site

Active Site is a research nonprofit studying how frontier AI changes what people can accomplish in the physical biology lab.

Rather than relying only on benchmarks or hypothetical assessments, we run real‑world experiments to measure AI's impact on biological research.

Active Site's research on AI and biological capabilities has been featured or cited in the Economist, the New York Times, and Nature.

If you want to work on questions at the intersection of AI, biotechnology, and real‑world safety, this is an opportunity to contribute directly to that research.

What you'll do

You'll own an independent research project from experimental design through validation focused on DNA assembly.

Your work may include:

• Designing DNA sequences, fragments, primers, and assembly strategies
• Setting up and troubleshooting PCR
• Running and interpreting agarose gels
• Purifying DNA and preparing samples for sequencing
• Analyzing sequencing results and alignments in tools like Benchling
• Performing molecular cloning
• Working with frontier AI tools such as Claude Code, Codex, and Biomni to help reason through experimental design and troubleshoot results

This role is intentionally high‑autonomy. You'll have access to our new, state‑of‑the‑art laboratory and the resources needed to execute your project, but you'll be expected to make your own day‑to‑day experimental decisions rather than rely on step‑by‑step technical assistance.

You'll work alongside other research associates, but each associate will independently own their experimental strategy and work.

Who we're looking for

The most important qualification is real, hands‑on experience working independently with DNA.

Minimum experience

You should have independently:

• Set up and run PCR reactions
• Run agarose gels and interpreted the results
• Troubleshot experiments when amplification didn't work as expected

We're looking for someone who understands what they're doing at the bench — not someone who has only encountered PCR as part of a class or followed a protocol once or twice. You should be able to look at a gel, distinguish a clean band from a smear or failed amplification, and reason about what you would try next.

Strong plus, but not required

We're especially interested in candidates who have gone further and independently owned DNA manipulation or molecular cloning workflows, including experience with some of the following:

• Optimizing PCR conditions or performing techniques such as touchdown PCR
• Gel extraction and DNA purification
• Preparing DNA for sequencing and analyzing sequencing results
• Sequence alignment or construct verification in Benchling or similar software
• Gibson assembly, Golden Gate assembly, or restriction enzyme–based cloning
• Bacterial transformation, culture, and plasmid mini‑preps
• Designing and troubleshooting a cloning strategy from beginning to end

Molecular cloning experience is a strong advantage, but it is not required. Independent PCR and gel electrophoresis experience are the core technical requirements.

Background

You should hold or currently be pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, or a closely related discipline. Currently enrolled PhD students are also welcome.

We're especially interested in people who enjoy troubleshooting experiments, learning quickly, working independently, and figuring things out when the first attempt doesn't work.

Key details

Location: On-site in Somerville, MA (East Somerville / Inner Belt)

Dates: September 28–December 18, 2026

Schedule: 4 hours/day, Monday–Friday. Choose one consistent shift:

• 8:45 AM–12:45 PM
• 1:15 PM–5:15 PM

Compensation: $40/hour + eligibility for a $2,000 performance bonus

Term: This is a fixed 12‑week research position and is not designed to convert into full‑time employment. You're welcome to maintain another job or take classes alongside the role as long as they don't conflict with your scheduled hours.

Commute: The lab is accessible from the Green Line Extension at East Somerville and nearby Bluebikes stations. Parking is not provided.

Because this is a short, structured research project, we cannot accommodate remote work, alternative daily schedules, or more than five days of pre‑planned absence during the term. Make‑up days can be arranged for illness.

Our office observes the following holidays (Oct 12, Nov 11, Nov 26-27). Holidays falling during the project term are unpaid.

Work authorization

This position is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals currently authorized to work in the United States. Active Site Research, Inc. is an E‑Verify employer and complies with applicable employment‑authorization requirements.

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, sex, 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.