About this role
About Chai DiscoveryChai Discovery builds frontier AI models to design molecules and transform how new cures are found. We are a craft-obsessed team setting out to re-architect drug discovery and save lives.
The Chai founding team brought together leading researchers in this space and top silicon valley operators. Our founders led seminal accomplishments at top AI-for-biology programs and labs, co-invented protein language modelling, built state-of-the-art folding algorithms, and sold AI adopted by top-10 pharma companies. We are backed by top-tier investors, including OpenAI, Thrive Capital, Dimension, Conviction, Lachy Groom, Amplify, and many more.
About the roleWe’re hiring an exceptional and versatile Computational Scientist to play a critical role in developing our platform for AI-assisted molecule design, unveiling new possibilities in drug discovery and development.
Chai's models are moving beyond protein structure prediction into real-world therapeutic engineering. This is a chance to contribute to the frontier of AI drug design models, working alongside a craft-obsessed team of micro-pessimists and macro-optimists.
About youYou have a rigorous approach to your research and a deep desire to push the limits of what’s possible in therapeutic design. You are driven to solve real-world problems and iterate quickly.
Significant scientific experience:
A strong command of molecular biology, protein science, or a related discipline
5+ years of experience in biotech or biomedical research (antibody discovery or related areas preferred)
Fluency in applied computational biology:
Comfort writing and debugging code (Python preferred) — you won’t need to build AI models in this role, but you will be using them on a daily basis
Writing Python scripts for data analysis (e.g. ingest diverse data types, compute basic statistics like correlation or enrichment, create quantitative plots)
Interpreting protein structures in PyMol, analyzing sequence alignments, and producing clear illustrations to support scientific conclusions
Ability to lead lab projects, including:
Defining the experimental efforts required to reach high-level goals (e.g. elucidate a drug’s biochemistry, MoA, or specificity)
Interrogating and refining lab results with sufficient rigor for a TPP and/or peer-reviewed publication
You have fun solving problems that others think are impossible
Comfort with ambiguity and rapid context-switching
Relevant hands-on experience (any subset is valuable):
Protein production and purification
Affinity measurements (BLI, SPR, ELISA)
Antibody polyreactivity characterization
Antibody solubility and developability assessments (aggregation, viscosity)
Cell-based functional assays (e.g. receptor signaling, cytokine release, FACS)
In vivo modeling (PK/PD, efficacy, toxicity)
3D structure determination and analysis
Phage and/or yeast display
Rational mutagenesis of antibodies
Procuring reagents and coordinating contract research work
What we offerFrontier technology: work on the technologies that promises to fundamentally change how new therapeutics are created.
World-class people: work with world-renowned leaders in the AI x Biology ecosystem.
Velocity and ownership: we move incredibly fast and liberally distribute ownership, which means continuous learning and career growth opportunities are guaranteed.
Strong culture and mission: we foster a supportive culture that is mission-driven and high-energy.
Highly competitive compensation: we attract the best talent and compensate them accordingly.