Life Sciences Research Assistant

What you'll do

This is the entry point to micro1's benchmark-authoring work in biology. Each task you create asks an AI agent to do something a working researcher does: critique an experimental design, analyse a protocol, or interpret primary data. You gather the source material (raw data, lab protocols, papers, supplementary files), set out the correct methodological approach and the right biological reading, and write a multi-item rubric scoring the agent on rigour, interpretation and fidelity to sources.

The ad insists on ambiguity and depth; clean textbook problems are out. That makes the rubric the hard part: it has to reward the right judgment on a genuinely messy question without leaving room for a lucky guess.

Who fits

• A bachelor's or master's in biology, biomedical science, biochemistry or similar
• At least two years of hands-on research or lab work with primary data and protocols
• Comfort synthesising several sources into one defensible answer
• Strong written English and experience drafting or reviewing scientific documents
• Ease with CSVs, spreadsheets, PDFs and technical documents
• Discipline in writing objective rubrics

What it pays

The listing shows $30–50/hour, but pay is output-based: you are paid per task that meets the specification, and a weekly minimum number of submissions applies (the number is not given). Treat the band as a target. This is the same pay model as micro1's Biostatistician benchmark listing, at roughly half the rate, which reflects the lower degree and experience bar.

Start timing

micro1 says it usually fills these roles within 48 hours and expects first tasks within 24 to 48 hours of onboarding.

Worth knowing

Good:

• Open to bachelor's graduates with two years of lab experience
• Good training ground for benchmark and rubric design
• 50 openings, posted recently and flagged high demand

Less good:

• Per-task pay: rejected tasks are unpaid and no per-task fee is published
• Weekly minimum applies but is unquantified
• A low ceiling for work that demands original sourcing and rubric writing
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, your own tax to manage

About this listing

Posted by micro1 on its own jobs portal nine days before we read it on 24 September 2026. The band, openings count, qualifications and compensation terms come from that listing; no country restriction is stated. Payment schedule and visa terms are not published on the ad. See micro1.