About Active Site
Active Site is a nonprofit researching the intersection of AI and biosecurity. 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 assessments and implement concrete mitigations that safeguard the future of AIxBio.
The Role
We are seeking a Scientist with a background in virology and/or microbiology and a strong interest in the intersection of AI and biology. You will lead the team responsible for the biological components of our in-person uplift studies, from study design to biologics production to experimental analysis. You will own:
Study design and experimental planning: Design and validate study designs, including running experiments, estimating time and material requirements, and defining assessment criteria.
Biologics production and evaluation: Develop and evaluate biologics for uplift studies, including producing and evaluating DNA fragments, plasmids, mammalian cell banks, and microbial cell banks.
Team leadership and hiring: Manage 2 Research Associates and 1–2 Scientists, provide mentorship and professional development, and lead future hiring as the team expands.
Scientific communication: Present our work through technical reports, presentations, and publications, and communicate results clearly to internal and external audiences.
Technical landscape and partnerships: Stay current with frontier technologies in LLMs, biological design, synthetic biology, and biosecurity. Establish and maintain relationships with technology vendors and academic collaborators to access relevant tools and methods.
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 3-6 months, you will have:
Designed and validated the biological plan for at least one in-person uplift study (experimental design, time/material estimates, and assessment criteria).
Set up core wet lab workflows and documentation (SOPs, experimental records, sample/reagent tracking) so work is consistent and reproducible.
Produced and characterized the initial biologics needed for pilot studies using cell and molecular biology methods and validated key assays/controls.
Completed a pilot run end-to-end, including generation of a clean dataset and delivering a clear internal readout with interpretation and recommended changes for the main study.
Established systems for training, day-to-day lab execution, and review of data quality.
Within the first year, you will have:
Led the biological design and execution for three in-person uplift studies, using repeatable protocols and clear assessment criteria, with complete analysis and documented learnings after each study.
Built and managed a strong wet lab team (2 Research Associates and 1–2 Scientists), including hiring, onboarding, mentorship, clear expectations and accountability measures for quality and follow-through.
Operationalized biologics production and quality checks with reliable documentation and traceability, so results are easy to interpret and replicate.
Communicated results clearly and consistently via technical reports and presentations and published at least one paper.
Competencies and qualificationsRequired:
A PhD in Virology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related field, or 5 years of research experience.
Strong wet lab skills, including molecular cloning, tissue culture, transfection, and viral rescue.
Demonstrated experience managing lab staff and leading collaborative research projects.
Excellent project management and communication skills.
Preferred:
Experience with biological design tools (e.g. Evo2, Alphafold).
Experience in lab automation.
Experience using coding agents in biological research.
If you are unsure whether you are a good fit, we strongly recommend that you apply.
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.
If this role sounds exciting and you meet most of the requirements, we'd love to hear from you.
Salary and benefits
This is a full-time, in-person role, reporting to the Executive Director and is based in our office in Cambridge, MA. The starting salary range is $100,000 to $130,800 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.
4 weeks of PTO
12 weeks of fully-paid parental leave
401(k) with 4% match
Annual professional development budget
Relocation support
Office setup
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 and will consider H-1B sponsorship for qualified individuals who are currently residing in the United States. We can only sponsor Change of Status or Transfer petitions and cannot sponsor candidates who are outside the U.S. and would require consular processing.
Referral bonus
We offer a referral bonus of up to $2,500 to individuals who refer successful candidates for this position:
If you refer a candidate that we invite to a work trial, you will receive $250.
If the candidate receives a job offer from us, you will receive a further $750, for a total of $1,000.
If the candidate is still working with us after the initial three month contract, you will receive a further $1,500, for a total of $2,500.
To receive these bonuses, we must reasonably believe that you were responsible for referring the candidate to us (e.g. due to you introducing them to us when we didn't previously know them, or them mentioning you on their application as the reason they heard about the position).
Our Hiring Process
No fixed deadline. We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis and aim to move quickly. If you're interested, we recommend applying soon.
Step 1 Submit Your Application
Step 2 Screening Call
Step 3 Hiring Manager / Team Interview
Step 4 Paid Remote Work Test
Step 5 In-Person Work Test
Step 6 Offer
Equal Opportunity and Accommodations
Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) 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. Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) 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. Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) is an E-Verify employer. Panoplia Laboratories, Inc. (d/b/a Active Site) 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.