PhD-Level Computational Biologist — Design Data-Centric Benchmarks for AI Models

Berlin - Germany

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 3 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

1. Role Overview

Mercor is seeking computational biology experts to contribute to a unique project with a top-tier AI research organization. This short-term initiative challenges AI models with hidden-answer mystery problems grounded in real biological data. Experts will design validate and anonymize complex datasets to evaluate model reasoning capabilities not lookup accuracy. This is a compelling opportunity for data-driven life scientists to shape next-generation AI evaluation benchmarks.

2. Key Responsibilities

Design biologically grounded problems with a single correct answer and 20 plausible distractors

Identify download and preprocess datasets from public repositories (e.g. GEO SRA NCBI)

Subsample and anonymize datasets to prevent metadata-based inference

Independently validate solutions through custom analysis pipelines and visualizations

Operate within technical constraints (e.g. file size task time limits)

3. Ideal Qualifications

Hands-on experience analyzing sequencing or omics datasets (e.g. RNA-seq WGS mass spec)

Proficient with bioinformatics tools and formats (e.g. BLAST samtools DESeq2 FASTA/FASTQ/BAM)

Comfortable coding in Python R or bash and working in Jupyter notebooks

Understanding of biological experiment design and lab-to-data nuances (e.g. batch effects)

Advanced degree (MS PhD) or research background in computational biology genomics or bioinformatics

4. More About the Opportunity

Remote and asynchronous set your own schedule

Expected commitment: 1520 hours/week

Project duration: 1 month

Potential for additional projects based on performance and interest

5. Compensation & Contract Terms

$6585/hour depending on experience and geography

Paid weekly via Stripe Connect

Structured as a freelance contract independent contractor status

6. Application Process

Submit your resume to get started

Qualified applicants will complete a short form assessing technical experience

Follow-up steps may include a sample task or review call

Responses typically within 35 business days

7. About Mercor

Mercor is a talent marketplace that connects top experts with leading AI labs and research organizations.

Our investors include Benchmark General Catalyst Adam DAngelo Larry Summers and Jack Dorsey.

Thousands of professionals across domains like law creatives engineering and research have joined Mercor to work on frontier projects shaping the next era of AI.

1. Role Overview Mercor is seeking computational biology experts to contribute to a unique project with a top-tier AI research organization. This short-term initiative challenges AI models with hidden-answer mystery problems grounded in real biological data. Experts will design validate and anonymiz...