STEM Expert – Biology & Bioinformatics (PhD)

$45–90/hr

rate as listed

Workload: ~15h/week
Engagement: Project-based
Location: Worldwide
Field: Sciences

Contractors design, evaluate, and critique biology and bioinformatics workflows used to benchmark and improve AI systems. The work requires advanced research or industry experience, hands-on biological data analysis, and proficiency in Python and/or R.

The work

You will review and develop workflows across biology, bioinformatics, and computational biology, then assess whether their methods, parameters, and conclusions are scientifically sound. Day-to-day tasks may include analyzing NGS, RNA-seq, single-cell, variant-calling, proteomic, or protein-structure data; checking statistical choices and tool configurations; critiquing AI-generated analyses; and documenting reproducible recommendations.

Relevant expertise

The platform is seeking depth in at least one of these areas: genomics and NGS analysis, transcriptomics and single-cell analysis, proteomics and structural biology, molecular and cell biology, systems biology and biological network analysis, drug discovery and computational pharmacology, or biostatistics and machine learning applied to biology. Screening is likely to test whether you can discuss a real dataset in detail, justify pipeline decisions under follow-up, identify biological and statistical failure modes, and distinguish plausible output from well-supported conclusions. Professional written and spoken English at C1 or higher is required, as is proficiency in Python and/or R for scientific analysis.

Logistics

This is a remote, worldwide contractor role. The listing does not specify fixed working hours, a typical weekly commitment, or whether all work is asynchronous, so candidates should be ready to state their actual availability and time-zone constraints during screening. Experience with Linux, Nextflow, Snakemake, AI/ML-assisted biology, publications, patents, or open-source bioinformatics contributions is preferred rather than stated as mandatory.

The advertised compensation information is an observed platform band, not a guaranteed offer.

Pay band: $45–90/hr

What they look for

scientific software configuration
ai/ml-assisted chemistry workflows
quantitative analysis
analytical reasoning
scientific programming
written communication
verbal communication
documentation
problem-solving

Included with this listing

Interview prep — 10 questions

Matched to what this platform's screening actually measures. Answer each out loud in 60–90 seconds: claim → concrete example → implication.

What it tests: The screener is testing whether your claimed specialty is grounded in identifiable data, methods, decisions, and outcomes rather than broad familiarity with a field.
A strong answer: Anchor the answer in one project, naming the biological question, data type, approximate scale, tools used, your own responsibilities, and a result you validated. Be prepared to explain why the chosen analysis was appropriate for that dataset.
Where people lose it: Candidates lose points by listing several fields and software packages without describing one analysis they personally performed.

Summary, eligibility guidance and screening preparation are prepared by Sidequest from the platform's posting. Check the source listing before applying.