Applied Methods
~The MetaResearch & SciencePhysical & Life Scientist

Physical & Life Scientist

Physical and life scientists in AI companies design and execute experiments across biology, chemistry, and physics to accelerate drug discovery and therapeutic development. These roles span from wet lab work—running immunological assays, synthetic chemistry, and analytical separations—to computational approaches like molecular dynamics simulations and pharmacometric modeling. What distinguishes these scientists is their direct integration with AI-driven platforms: they validate predictions from machine learning models, generate training data for foundation models in biology and chemistry, conduct safety evaluations of AI systems in scientific domains, and translate computational designs into experimental reality. They typically sit within discovery and development teams at TechBio and AI companies, collaborating closely with computational researchers, engineers, and medicinal chemists to bridge the gap between digital prediction and physical validation.

$ titles --canonical
Research Synthesis ChemistPhysics Simulation Scientist
Open Jobs21
Companies Hiring4
$02

Skills

What companies are looking for in this role.

$ skills --core

Designing and developing cell-based and biochemical assays for drug discovery applications

95%

Designing experimental strategies and executing complex scientific research protocols

92%

Analyzing and interpreting experimental data with quality control oversight

90%

Executing synthetic chemistry routes and chemical synthesis methodologies

90%

Operating and troubleshooting laboratory automation platforms and high-throughput screening equipment

88%

Characterizing materials properties through structural analysis and spectroscopic techniques

85%

Leading scientific initiatives and managing drug discovery projects from target identification through candidate selection

85%

Developing and optimizing methodologies for laboratory automation platforms

82%

Evaluating and deploying novel scientific technologies and technical developments

78%

Operating analytical instruments including chromatography and spectrometry systems

78%

Performing quantitative pharmacology and pharmacokinetics modeling

72%

Operating flow cytometry and high-content imaging platforms

70%

Designing thin-film deposition and nanofabrication processes

70%
$ skills --emerging

Integrating artificial intelligence and computational predictions with experimental validation

82%

Translating computational design outputs into practical experimental implementation

80%

Developing autonomous discovery loops and hands-free experimental execution

75%

Interpreting and understanding biological foundation models and AI systems

68%
$ skills --soft

Collaborating across functional disciplines including computational, chemistry, and engineering teams

93%

Maintaining laboratory safety standards and best practices

80%

Communicating scientific findings internally and externally through presentations and publications

75%
$03

Technology

The tools and technologies that define this role.

$ tech --framework
Vision Transformers (ViTs)low
$ tech --platform
Chemistry Automation Platformhigh
Centaur Chemistmoderate
Recursion OSmoderate
$ tech --tool
Automation workflow softwarehigh
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)high
Microscopy techniqueshigh
Spectroscopyhigh
AlphaFoldmoderate
Flow Cytometry (FACS)moderate
High-Content Imagingmoderate
Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC)moderate
X-ray Diffraction (XRD)moderate
Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)low
Genomic Foundation Modelslow
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)low
Protein Language Models (PLMs)low
Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD)low
$ tech --concept
Machine Learningvery high
Cell culture techniqueshigh
High-Throughput Screening (HTS)high
In silico modelinghigh
Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) analysishigh
Interpretability researchmoderate
Quantitative Pharmacology modelingmoderate
$04

Open Jobs

21 open Physical & Life Scientist jobs across 4 companies.

Isomorphic Labs3d
Senior Operating Partner, Drug Design, London
London·Research & Science
Recursion2w
Principal Scientist, TechBio Discovery
New York, New York·Research & Science
Recursion2w
Principal Scientist, TechBio Discovery
Salt Lake City, Utah·Research & Science
Recursion2w
Research Associate, Primary Pharmacology
Milton Park, England·Research & Science
Recursion2w
Research Associate - Biology Automation
Milton Park, England·Research & Science
Recursion3w
Research Scientist, Immunology
Milton Park, England·Research & Science
Recursion1mo
Research Synthesis Chemist
Milton Park, England·Research & Science
Recursion1mo
Senior Automation/Medicinal Chemist
Milton Park, England·Research & Science
Periodic Labs1mo
Research Scientist, Materials Synthesis
Menlo Park·Research & Science
Goodfire1mo
Forward Deployed Research Scientist (Biology)
San Francisco, CA·Research & Science
Recursion1mo
Senior Scientist, Separation Sciences
Milton Park, England·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
DMPK Lead, London, Lausanne
Lausanne; London·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
PKPD Modelling Lead, Lausanne
Lausanne·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
CMC Project Lead (Next Generation Biologics and ADCs), London
London·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
Medicinal Drug Design Lead, London
London·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
DMPK Lead (PBPK Specialist), London, Lausanne
Lausanne; London·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
PKPD Modelling Lead, London
London·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
Chemistry Lead (Induced Proximity), London
London·Research & Science
Isomorphic Labs1mo
Synthetic Chemistry Lead, London, Lausanne
Lausanne; London·Research & Science
Periodic Labs1mo
Research Associate - Thin Films (Fixed Term)
Menlo Park·Research & Science