PhD Resident - LLM Lab Automation (early stage Biology project) Internship Mountain View, CA How you will make 10x impact: This project aims to push the limits of science and modeling as we know them and to prove how ML can radically accelerate our understanding of the world + Location: X's headquarters in Mountain View, CA + Start Date(s): Year-round rolling basis + Duration: a flexible 4 mo. to 1 year program based on project team needs and your availability Throughout your AI Residency you can expect: + To be embedded into one of our confidential or public X projects + To get paid competitively and receive benefits + To be a part of a lively community of AI and ML Residents + To attend tech-talks with AI leaders from across X About the team: The Bio Design Kitchen (BioDK) is X’s state-of-the-art biology and chemistry lab that empowers Xers to tackle unique challenges to launch moonshots in biology and chemistry. Our team of resident scientists and engineers are experts at turning concepts into reality, whether it's rapid prototyping, in-house development, or brainstorming novel solutions. About the role: We are looking for an exceptional PhD student who has experience in applied ML, natural language processing, and high-level proficiency in python to join our team for ∼6 months. The ideal candidate will also have hands-on wet lab experience in biology and experience with automated liquid handling systems. You will be helping us develop and test models to control and orchestrate laboratory instruments and robotics. You should be familiar with concepts in machine learning, including training and evaluating models. Experience with hacking scientific equipment or communication protocols a plus. You will be a part of X’s Design Kitchen, a world-class team of builders and dreamers, and work closely with other groups involving the frontiers of machine learning. If you are motivated by making the world a radically better place through computation and biology, and want to be part of an inclusive team with diverse mindsets and backgrounds that makes this happen - then this might just be the role for you. What you should have: + Currently enrolled in a doctoral (PhD) program in AI, machine learning, natural language processing, computational biology, or a related field + Experience with programming languages, preferably Python. + Experience with one or more of computational biology & automated liquid handling systems + Experience with machine learning systems, algorithms or applications Your responsibilities: + Develop and maintain python codebase for automating laboratory tasks such as liquid handling, automated measurements, data processing, and communications. + Develop methods to apply LLMs and agents to laboratory operations. + Able to iterate quickly and learn on the job + Contribute to experimental design and implementation + Work cross-functionally with experts in multiple disciplines at X and Google + Must be willing to work onsite five days a week Some indicators that you might thrive at X: You have the potential to be an exceptional team member, and have relevant skills to contribute to an early stage machine learning-guided protein design moonshot. If you’re creative, collaborative, committed to our mission and think you can help us, let us know! The work will be challenging and requires navigating shifting landscapes, but gives the opportunity to truly shape a potential Alphabet-sized effort. + You aremission driven. You enjoy solving real, large problems that profoundly affect hundreds of millions of people. + Audacity, bravery and resiliency are values you embody. You shoot for the moon. You work on the hardest things first. You don’t expect things to succeed on the first try, you design thoughtful experiments and iterate. + You are biased to actionand will “roll up your sleeves” to do whatever needs done for the team to succeed. + You areconfidentenough to challenge us andhumbleenough to challenge yourself. You are open to feeling uncomfortable and actively work on your own growth. + You believe thatgreat teams, not great individuals make breakthroughs. You are self-aware and seek out people who compliment your strengths and shortcomings. You make hard decisions and invest in the growth of your team mates. It’d also be great if you had experience in some of the following: + Experience with commercial laboratory automation equipment (e.g. Hamilton, Agilent Bravo) + Experience with the python data science stack (numpy, pandas, etc.) and software version control tools + Experience with serial and TCP/IP communication standards + Experience using Jupyter notebooks + Experience using and developing code with pylabrobot + Experience working in a wet lab environment + Understanding of modern synthetic biology workflows and analytical pipelines + Applied machine learning experience with NLP/sequence modeling and optimization techniques. + Familiarity with cobots + Pursuing MS/PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry, or closely related field, ideally with some experimental lab experience in molecular biology and protein engineering Additional public information : https://www.wired.com/video/watch/astro-teller-captain-of-moonshots-at-x-speaks-at-wired25 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-10-10/alphabet-x-s-astro-teller-on-bloomberg-studio-1-0-video The US base salary range for this position is $109,000 - $145,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits. PLEASE NOTE: This role requires exposure to technologies subject to heightened controls under US export laws. Due to our immediate need to fill this role and the lengthy process required to obtain export licenses, we will not be able to move forward with anyone requiring a license for such technologies . This applies to individuals ineligible for license exception "TSR" (commonly described as "controlled-country nationals") under the US Commerce Department's Export Administration Regulations . As of July 2018, a controlled country national is anyone who is a national of one of the following countries ( excluding US green card holders and US citizens with dual citizenship ): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cuba, the People's Republic of China, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Macau, Moldova, Mongolia, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam . Please review up-to-date information about the Commerce Department's export regulations, including the current list of countries, here . At X, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products and our community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at:x-accommodation-request@x.team.