Member of Technical Staff, Virology

Member of Technical Staff – Virology

Latch builds rigorous scientific benchmarks (benchmarks.bio) to measure how well AI agents perform real biology. Frontier AI labs and pharma use them to answer a core question: can an agent handle the complex, multi-layered reasoning real biological work requires?

Each benchmark is grounded in real experimental and clinical practice—covering experiment design, data interpretation, clinical endpoints, and compound advancement—created by scientists with direct, relevant experience.

We are a team of ~100 in San Francisco, backed by Lux Capital, Coatue, Fifty Years, Haystack, Jeff Dean, Alec Nielsen, and George Church.

We’re looking for a Member of Technical Staff – Virology to lead our Virology benchmark and define standards for evaluating AI in Virology.

About the Role

• Define technical approaches to evaluate how AI agents could be misused for biological harm and where current safety measures are insufficient.

• Collaborate with research engineers and biologists to develop benchmarks that assess whether AI systems can effectively support:

  • Virology experiment design and evaluation

  • Protocol troubleshooting and detecting possible AI-driven wet lab failures

  • Interpretation of viral genomes, proteins, mutations, and phenotypic data

  • Selection, use, and assessment of bioinformatics and biological design tools

  • Planning iterative experimental workflows

  • Evaluating experimental feasibility across diverse conditions

  • Identifying inaccurate, unsafe, or incomplete AI guidance in dual-use contexts

Requirements

• PhD in virology or closely related field with research on viruses

• Extensive hands-on wet-lab virology experience, including experiment design, execution, and troubleshooting

• Experience in BSL-3 or high-containment BSL-2 labs

• Familiarity with Large Language Models, biological foundation models, or AI-enabled biological tools

• Proficiency in Python and/or R

Culture @ Latch

How we work: We value flexible schedules and open communication. We prioritize hard work, results, and solution-driven teamwork—all opinions are respected, and we focus on solving problems, not assigning blame. We make the best use of each other’s time and always aim to bring solutions.

Office & Perks: Waterfront office near Oracle Park. Two free daily meals, unlimited snacks, frequent company outings, and team offsites. Enjoy clubs and community—cycling, soccer, figure skating, boxing, running, reading, martial arts, music, and game nights.

Compensation & Logistics

• Full-time, in-person

• Unlimited PTO

• Work Visa sponsorship

• Flexible Spending Account

• 401 contribution (no match)

• Profit Share + Ambitious Equity

• Science reading groups

• 100% covered health, dental, and vision

• Relocation assistance if needed

• Lunch and dinner daily

• Waterfront office in China Basin, San Francisco

• Company-sponsored professional development

• Flexible hours with onsite presence

• Best office dog: Nix

Interview Process

1. Intro Screen (30m): Recruitment Team

2. Intro Technical Screen (30m): Member of Technical Staff/CTO

3. Deeper Technical Screen (1hr): Member of Technical Staff/CTO

4. Onsite Work Trial: 2-3 days (accommodations provided)

5. Decision: