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.
Our recent work includes the largest and longest in-person randomized controlled trial to date examining AI assistance in molecular biology. 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.
Hiring process
We've intentionally kept the process short:
1. Apply via Ashby
2. Paid onsite assessment — approximately 2 hours; $60 compensation
3. Offer
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and we expect to move quickly.
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.
