Research Scientist (AI x Bio)

AI Researcher (Bio AI) Early-Stage Biotech AI Startup | San Francisco, CA | On-site

Kadence is partnered with an early-stage biotech AI company building full-stack therapeutic solutions, from frontier foundation models to internal asset development. The company is partnered with top-tier pharma and developing our first product targeting molecular delivery.

About the Role

We are looking for a talented AI Researcher to work at the intersection of machine learning and biology. You will be working on frontier generative models for protein design, molecular generation, and therapeutic development. This is a research-heavy role where you will be expected to originate ideas, run experiments, and push the field forward.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop novel ML models for protein design, drug discovery, or molecular generation
• Stay at the cutting edge, read papers, implement ideas, and push beyond them
• Collaborate closely with wet lab scientists to validate computational predictions experimentally
• Contribute to the scientific narrative that supports fundraising and pharma partnerships
• Mentor junior team members and help build out research culture

Qualifications

• Strong publication record at top venues, or equivalent experience at a frontier AI lab
• PhD preferred but not required, demonstrated research impact is what matters
• Deep understanding of generative models, diffusion, transformers, or protein structure prediction
• Experience with tools like RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, AlphaFold, or similar is a strong plus
• Background in computational biology, bioinformatics, or wet lab biology is a meaningful advantage
• Strong coder : Python, PyTorch or JAX, comfortable at the research-engineering boundary
• Mission-driven : if you don't care deeply about the impact of your work, this isn't the right place

Compensation

• Highly competitive base salary + meaningful equity
• Full health and dental
• Relocation covered if needed