Scientist - Fixed-term (pilot)

Active Site • Cambridge, MA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Active Site is hiring a wet-lab scientist for a short-term, fixed-term research project in November and December 2026. The scientist will work on-site in Active Site’s BSL-2 laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, using a frontier AI-for-science model to design and execute experiments. The work will generate real-world evidence about AI-assisted biology and inform subsequent research programs, industry practice, and emerging governance.

The scientist will independently conduct laboratory tasks and make day-to-day experimental decisions, with or without AI, while working alongside other scientists. The role requires comfort working independently at the bench, learning workflows from protocols, troubleshooting experiments, and iterating without relying on in-person technical guidance. The position has a defined end date and will not convert into full-time employment.

The project is scheduled for 3–6 weeks in November–December 2026; another section of the posting lists a three-week term. Dates may be flexible. The schedule is eight hours per day, Monday through Friday. Remote work and alternative daily schedules are not accommodated, and no more than five days of pre-planned absence are allowed during the term. Make-up days may be arranged for illness. Holidays falling during the term are unpaid. The hourly compensation is $65.

The role is open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and people currently authorized to work in the United States. Employer visa sponsorship is unavailable. Applicants with independent valid work authorization, including CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT, are welcome. The hiring process consists of an application, a paid on-site assessment, and an offer.

Requirements

• At least two years of full-time wet-lab research experience in a biological sciences setting, including a range of molecular biology and cell biology techniques.
• Multi-year, hands-on experience working independently in a biological sciences laboratory.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in a STEM discipline, or current/former PhD enrollment or graduation, or postdoctoral scientist experience or above.
• Ability to independently start new laboratory workflows by reading protocols, carrying out initial experiments, and reasoning about next steps when results do not work as expected.
• Experience across relevant techniques, with examples listed including Oxford nanopore library preparation and sequencing, DNA fragment design and ordering, PCR and gel electrophoresis, site-directed mutagenesis, molecular cloning, plasmid preparation, mammalian cell culture and transfection, DNA/RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, ELISA or another binding assay, and bacteriophage systems; not all listed techniques are required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a virology-related field.
• Experience running pseudovirus neutralization assays with SARS-CoV-2 variants and antibodies.
• Experience preparing viral vectors such as AAV or lentivirus.
• Experience with modified virus systems such as minigenomes or virus-like particles.
• Experience with traditional live-virus growth or characterization assays.

Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, and modify recombinant DNA.
• Rescue and characterize benign viruses, including titration, growth curves, and neutralization.
• Work with a frontier AI model to design and troubleshoot experiments.
• Independently make day-to-day experimental decisions and own an experimental strategy.
• Learn and execute laboratory workflows from protocols, troubleshoot results, and iterate.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level