Computational Protein Designer

Who We Are

We are building frontier models that learn the fundamentals of biology. We pursue ambitious goals with curiosity and are committed to scientific excellence. Before building Latent Labs, our team co-developed DeepMind’s Nobel-prize winning AlphaFold, invented latent diffusion, and built pioneering lab data management systems as well as high throughput protein screening platforms. At Latent Labs you will be working with some of the brightest minds in generative AI and biology. Our team is committed to interdisciplinary exchange, continuous learning and collaboration. Team offsites help us foster a culture of trust across our London and San Francisco sites. We’re looking for innovators passionate about tackling complex challenges and maximizing positive global impact.

Who You Are

• A computational protein designer with a proven track record of running protein design campaigns end-to-end, successfully leveraging novel computational tools and knowledge of biochemistry or structural biology to design proteins to functional requirements and applications in synthetic biology.
• A generative modelling enthusiast with AI generative modeling experience, including model training and large scale inference.
• A successful scientist with a PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, biochemistry, structural biology, physics, biophysics, bio/chem engineering, or a related field. Your research experience was in protein biochemistry using computational expertise.
• A protein biochemist with extensive wet lab biology experience, and can independently execute end-to-end design campaigns, including experimental validation, to achieve protein design objectives.
• An owner with a proven track record of delivering successful commercial and / or academic research projects, demonstrated through publications, patents, and/or commercially impactful outcomes, as well as other contributions to the scientific community.
• A connector with excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• A mission driven innovator passionate about making a positive impact on the world, whether it's for patients, partners or beyond. You are motivated by the end goal and are flexible in adapting to different approaches and methodologies.
• A dynamic and adaptable individual who thrives in a fast-paced setting where goals must be achieved efficiently and urgently.
• An advocate for lab automation, both through hardware and software.

What Sets You Apart (preferred but not required)

• Experience with generative AI and its application in synthetic biology applications.
• Experience with homology-based and structural bioinformatics, and the ability to answer scientific questions using very large databases.
• Experience helping scale a young biotech before.
• Experience working in startups and helping the company grow.

Your Responsibilities

• Leverage our proprietary generative AI models to design proteins for experimental validation:
• Analyze protein design problems based on functional requirements, biochemistry, structural biology and sequence homology.
• Generate designs using our proprietary generative AI models and optimize designs for experimental validation.
• Collaborate with our lab-based protein engineers to plan and optimize the design process and validation strategy.
• Leverage our proprietary data to improve our models:
• Analyze and leverage our experimental results to improve the next round of designs and increase our success rate over validation rounds.
• Collaborate with machine learning scientists to fine-tune and prompt our models.
• Develop and execute biochemical assays for wet-lab validation:
• Develop and carry out experimental validation strategies for computationally designed proteins, including but not limited to: protein expression and purification, biophysical characterisation, and functional assays.
• Collaboration and communication:
• Be an effective interface between machine learning model development and experimental validation.
• Capture bioengineering learnings and feedback to our machine learning unit, and vice versa.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative environment, proactively finding opportunities to innovate and create clarity and alignment between different units.
• Contribute to our computational tools:
• Help improve the way we use, serve and integrate our AI models, by feeding back to the software engineers and foundational machine learning unit.
• Help improve our data management systems and workflows.
• Scientific excellence and self development:
• Work to the highest scientific standards (publication-grade work).
• Stay on top of relevant developments in synthetic biology.
• Build your understanding of generative AI as well as expanded areas of protein and cell biology.
• Participate in knowledge sharing, e.g. organize and present at our internal reading group.
• Attend and present at conferences when relevant.

Apply

We offer strongly competitive compensation and benefits packages, including:

• Private health insurance
• Pension/401(K) contributions
• Generous leave policies (including gender neutral parental leave)
• Hybrid working
• Travel opportunities and more

We also offer a stimulating work environment, and the opportunity to shape the future of synthetic biology through the application of breakthrough generative models. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.