ML Scientist (Nucleic Acid Design)

TL;DR

ML Scientist (Nucleic Acid Design): Developing machine learning models for DNA and RNA sequence engineering with an accent on regulatory and coding sequence optimization. Focus on building generative models, property prediction systems, and implementing active learning loops to connect sequence design to biological function.

Location: San Francisco, CA USA or Remote (International)

Salary: $176,000 - $304,000 USD

Company

hirify.global is building Scientific Superintelligence to autonomously execute the entire scientific method across medicine, materials, and energy.

What you will do

• Build ML models for RNA and DNA sequence design across regulatory and coding sequence contexts.
• Develop methods for de novo generation, sequence property prediction, and active learning strategies.
• Investigate biological mechanisms of designed sequences to derive and improve future design principles.
• Partner with experimental scientists to propose informative assays and validation strategies.
• Integrate nucleic acid design models into autonomous science platforms and agent-driven frameworks.
• Share research findings with the community through papers and blog posts.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent experience in ML, computational biology, bioengineering, computer science, or statistics.
• Hands-on experience building, training, and evaluating ML models specifically for DNA or RNA.
• Proficiency with modern ML frameworks such as PyTorch or JAX.
• Experience in sequence design, generative modeling, or sequence-function prediction.
• Ability to formulate ML approaches for complex biological sequence-function challenges.
• Must be eligible to work in the US or supported international regions.

Nice to have

• Experience with regulatory element design or functional genomics data (MPRA, STARR-seq).
• Knowledge of RNA secondary structure modeling or inverse design methods.
• Experience applying sequence design in therapeutic contexts.
• History of collaborating with wet-lab teams to close the design-test-learn loop.
• Industry experience translating ML research into practical biological design workflows.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for US employees.
• Region-specific comprehensive benefits program for international employees.
• Early-stage equity and bonus potential.
• Flexible time off with generous company-wide holidays and paid parental leave.
• Educational assistance and commuter benefits for office-based staff.
• Company-subsidized lunch program for employees in the San Francisco office.