Research Scientist – Biology (Remote | $60–$100/hr)

Biology Research Scientist

Position: Biology Research Scientist

Type: Hourly Contract

Compensation: $60–$100/hour

Location: Remote

About the Opportunity

Mercor is partnering with a leading AI research organization to engage experienced Biology Research Scientists in verifying protein target assignments within large-scale bioactivity databases, including ChEMBL and BindingDB.

In this role, you will review primary scientific literature and patents, apply expert scientific judgment, and determine whether UniProt protein identifiers accurately correspond to the proteins studied in experimental research. Your work will contribute directly to the development of reliable datasets supporting AI-driven drug discovery and biomedical research.

Responsibilities

• Review primary research papers and patents to verify protein target assignments.
• Compare experimental evidence against corresponding UniProt records.
• Determine whether assigned protein targets accurately represent the biological targets studied.
• Identify, flag, and classify incorrect or questionable target assignments using a structured taxonomy.
• Research relevant scientific evidence to resolve ambiguous target assignments.
• Propose accurate UniProt accession numbers when existing assignments are incorrect.
• Evaluate binding and functional assay data to support target identification.
• Apply scientific judgment when interpreting experimental methods, target nomenclature, and biological context.
• Write concise, evidence-based notes explaining the reasoning behind each determination.
• Contribute to high-quality datasets used in AI-enabled drug discovery workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience, or PhD with relevant industry or drug-discovery research experience.
• Academic or professional background in:
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Chemical Biology
• A related biological science
• Professional experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO environments.
• Hands-on experience with binding or functional assays, such as:
• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)
• TR-FRET
• Radioligand binding
• Kinase assays
• GPCR functional assays
• IC50, Ki, or Kd determination
• Currently bench-active in a research scientist, scientist, or associate scientist position.
• Working knowledge of UniProt or related biological target-identification workflows.
• Experience with one or more of the following:
• Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) support
• High-Throughput Screening (HTS)
• Target validation
• Biochemical profiling
• IND-enabling research
• Strong scientific reasoning and ability to evaluate primary research literature.
• Excellent written communication and attention to scientific detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience working with ChEMBL, BindingDB, or PubChem.
• Experience in selectivity profiling or counterscreening.
• Familiarity with pharmacological distinctions between:
• Agonists and antagonists
• Activators and inhibitors
• Experience interpreting complex bioactivity and target-assignment data.
• Familiarity with protein target nomenclature and biological database workflows.
• Experience supporting AI, computational biology, drug-discovery, or data-curation initiatives.

Key Areas of Expertise

• Protein target identification and validation
• Bioactivity data interpretation
• Binding and functional assays
• Pharmacology
• Molecular and chemical biology
• Biochemical profiling
• Target validation
• SAR and HTS workflows
• UniProt annotation and accession mapping
• Drug discovery research

Compensation

• $60–$100 per hour
• Remote hourly contract.
• 10–20 hours per week.
• Immediate start.
• Minimum engagement of 1–2 months, with extension likely.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be based in the United States.
• Must meet the applicable education and professional experience requirements.
• Must have relevant industry or drug-discovery research experience.
• Candidates should currently be active in a bench-based research/scientist role.
• Must have hands-on experience with relevant binding or functional assays.

Application Process

1. Submit your resume highlighting relevant biology, pharmacology, or drug-discovery experience.
2. Demonstrate applicable hands-on binding or functional assay experience.
3. Highlight experience with UniProt or related target-validation workflows.
4. Include relevant experience with ChEMBL, BindingDB, PubChem, SAR, HTS, or biochemical profiling where applicable.
5. Selected candidates may proceed through Mercor's evaluation and onboarding process.